Learn 3D Animation: Best Online Courses and Resources

3D animation is popular in both films and video games and creates the illusion that a drawing has come to life and exists in an actual space. Today, it is often the standard animation style at many major production studios. If you want to know how to learn 3D animation, this article provides a list of resources to help you get started. 

So much has changed in the field of animation because of 3D. Therefore, understanding and learning 3D animation is vital if you want to become a graphic designer or study animation. Continue reading, as we provide in-depth information on how to learn 3D animation.

What Is 3D Animation?

3D animation is the art of creating objects in a three-dimensional space. In this type of design, height, width, and depth are all utilized. 3D animation originated with the use of clay models in the 1900s and was originally called claymation. 

Since then, 3D animation has evolved and is now largely computer-generated. Computer graphics and visual effects give a better illusion of movement because the animation looks like real objects on the screen instead of flat drawings.

What Is 3D Animation Used For?

3D animation is used in many industries. Once you start using 3D animation for your own projects, there is simply no going back. It is a unique way to showcase your message and engage viewers. 3D animation is used in the following areas:

• Animated films. Today, a majority of animated films use 3D animation or stop-motion animation. These styles are meant to appeal to children, who make up a majority of the audience for animated films.
• TV shows. TV shows with large budgets opt for 3D animation. However, most shows still prioritize 2D animation for stylistic or budgetary reasons.
• Gaming. 3D animation is prominent in video games. These features create more realistic gameplay. In simulation games, the top video game companies use 3D animation to make players feel they are actually inside the game. 
• Education and teaching materials. Teachers and instructors make use of 3D animated films and characters to keep their students’ attention, as young kids are particularly attracted to this style of graphic.
• Marketing promotions. Some businesses use 3D animations instead of real people to advertise their products and services. Certain products benefit more from this style of design.

How to Learn 3D Animation: Step-by-Step Guide

There are many platforms you can use to learn 3D animation. If you are taking a degree program to learn animation and production, then you are most likely going to encounter 3D animation as one of your subjects. Regardless of your means of study, these steps will help you learn 3D animation:

1. Familiarize yourself with the technical skills. Technical skills entail learning the basics of animation and how to operate your chosen software. Memorizing the basic principles and the functions of each tool will help make the learning process smoother and help you develop your animation skills more quickly. 
2. Set goals. Identifying your end goal while learning 3D animation will help you plan better. For example, if your goal is to become a professional animator, then the decision to purchase official 3D software will be easy. 
3. Look for resources. These resources might include video tutorials, instructional materials, and books. You should save your favorites so you can refer to them while you’re practicing to improve your skills.
4. Start your own project. Hands-on learning is important in acquiring technical and practical skills for 3D animation. Starting your own works of animation will help you hone your abilities and have a portfolio of work to share when you start your 3D animation career. 
5. Watch more movies and TV series. You should study how people act and move so you can apply these characteristics to the animations you are working on. Specifically, copying facial expressions and movements accurately are key to successful animation.

How Long Does It Take to Learn 3D Animation?

3D animation can take anywhere from a couple of months to years to learn. There are a lot of elements you must learn to succeed in 3D animation. You need to understand movements, actions, and expressions. If your goal is to create 3D characters, then you must know how to essentially recreate people in digital form. 

Furthermore, how long it takes to learn 3D animation depends on your education. If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree, for example, that will take four years. Certificate programs can be completed in a year or two. Finally, students may opt for self-learning courses which typically take less than a year to finish.

The Best 3D Animation Courses

3D animators are in high demand all over the world. It is a skill that you will need if you want to break into the animation or gaming industry. There are a variety of free and paid online 3D animation programs available to cater to your learning needs.

Top Paid Courses to Learn 3D Animation Online

The top 3D animation online courses often require learners to pay tuition. These fees can range anywhere from under $100 to a few thousand dollars. Paid 3D animation training often includes benefits such as career services, job guarantees, and a certificate of completion. Continue reading for the top five 3D animation online courses.

3D Animation Program | AnimSchool

• Price: $1,620 per 11-week term
• Length: 88 weeks
• Certificate: Available

This program is divided into two parts, the animation track and the animation program. The animation must be completed by potential students and is a prep module for the main animation program. Modules for these prerequisite courses include an introduction to Maya, an introduction to 3D animation, animating characters, and body mechanics.

The core program covers body acting, character performance, facial performance, and animating appeal and entertainment. Each of these modules takes 11 weeks to complete. Upon completing the animation program students will be ready to work in the industry. Instructors at AnimSchool are industry professionals.

Introduction to 3D Animation | CG Spectrum

• Price: $3,199
• Length: 3 months
• Certificate: Available

Film and game animators have joined together to teach this intro to 3D animation online course. The program is designed for beginners and uses the Maya software. Since this class covers all the basics, you can enroll with no prior experience.

The course lasts for three months, with a required time commitment of 20 hours per week. On-hand support is provided so you can get feedback on your project from your class mentor. This course is taught by industry experts, so you are sure to get value for your money.

3D Animation and Visual Effects: 3D Animator | Francis Tuttle Technology Center

• Price: $2,112 (in state), $4,239 (out of state)
• Length: 8 months (full-time), 6 months (part-time)
• Certificate: Available

This course is open to high school juniors, seniors, and adult learners. Learners can take advantage of the state-of-the-art studio at the Rockwell campus which uses motion capture and 3D printing. The curriculum is centered around the Maya software and provides students with valuable hands-on experience.

As well as 3D animation training, students will learn additional CGI tools, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, ZBrush, and MotionBuilder. Graduates will be applicable for a wide variety of careers across multiple industries, including film and television, gaming, government, and healthcare. 

3D in After Effects CC: Working & Animating in 3D Space | Udemy

• Price: $84.99
• Length: 2.5 hours
• Certificate: Available

For this particular Udemy course, you will use Adobe After Effects to create your 3D animations. It covers all of the methods, tools, and resources required to learn to animate with this platform. Some other elements you will learn include how to master lights and shadows.

This class offers a unique experience to learners. It features discussions on all aspects of the programs to help students get a thorough understanding of the course material. The course is open to beginners and professionals in a variety of fields, including video editors and motion graphics enthusiasts.

Learning 3D Animation: The Ultimate Blender Guide | Udemy

• Price: $84.99
• Length: 26.5 hours
• Certificate: Available

This offering by Udemy starts with the basics of 3D animation, then moves on to advanced techniques. Using the free 3D animation software Blender, you will create your first cartoon character, following the class’s step-by-step guide. 

Aside from learning how to create an animated character, your 3D animation training will also teach you how to bring your 3D cartoon to life. This includes techniques for assigning movements and expressions that best imitate real people.

The Best Free Online 3D Animation Courses

Students on a tight budget or professionals looking to upskill in their spare time can find plenty of excellent online 3D animation courses free of charge. For example, a teacher looking to enhance their classroom experience using 3D animation may enroll in a free course to learn the basics. Here are the best free 3D animation courses offered online:

3D Mobile Game Vegetation Modeling in Maya and Unity | Alison

• Length: 1.5 to 3 hours
• Certificate: Available

This free course is ideal for those looking to break into the video game industry, especially if you want to design games for mobile devices. This course uses two software programs widely associated with 3D animation and gaming in Maya and Unity.

Students learn how to model a cartoon tree, modify its shapes, and add additional branches by using the Edit Mesh function. Students will also learn how to UV Map their tree and how to import it into Unity.

Building Interactive 3D Characters and Social VR | Coursera

• Length: 1 to 4 weeks
• Certificate: Available

This free learning program allows students to create realistic social interactions in virtual reality. The course covers the basics of 3D character animation and how to create body language. Students will learn the practical skills to implement their characters into Unity3D.

Furthermore, the course teaches you how to make characters that can interact with players by responding to speech and body language. The course also covers the basics of avatars, both for real players and NPCs (non-player characters).

Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice | Duke University

• Length: 47 hours
• Certificate: Available

This free course teaches students how to tell 3D animated stories using the Alice software. Additionally, students will learn basic programming concepts such as writing instructions, decision-making, and grouping similar items and objects together.  

The second half of the program allows students to combine the knowledge they have learned to build and design their own 3D games. This is a great course for beginners as it not only provides foundational knowledge and skills but gives animators the chance to work on real-world projects they can to a portfolio.

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The Basics of the 3D Animation | Udemy 

• Length: 2 hours
• Certificate: Not available

This free course is ideal for newcomers who want a brief introduction to 3D animation. This is a great program to take if you are just out of high school or career switching and want to make sure 3D animation is the right career path for you.

This short course covers 3D animation in Maya, the basics of Maya, and how to make a bouncing ball using Maya. Understanding the basics of Maya is essential learning for anyone interested in 3D animation as it is industry standard software in this field.

Getting Started in 3D Animation | Udemy

• Length: 4 hours
• Certificate: Not available

This free introductory course teaches students how to create professional 3D character animations across a variety of applications. The focus of this course is to help learners create these 3D models quickly.

The course is based on the iClone software which offers fast production speeds with its real-time animation engine. This free course is ideal for learners of all levels, such as students, teachers, 3D animators, video game creators, and video game producers.

Best 3D Animation Software Programs

The best 3D animation software will allow you to create powerful 3D animations and implement them into various projects. Each program has different levels of difficulty, so you should choose one that matches your skill level. Continue reading for the best 3D animation software available today. 

Maya

Maya is known as the most popular 3D animation program for professionals. Price is subscription-based and users can pay monthly, annually, or every three years. You can also download a free trial before committing to a subscription. Maya is used across movies, tv shows, and video games.

Blender

Blender is a free, open-source program that is good for beginners. Even though it’s free, it comes with a lot of animation features, such as body simulation, texturing, and 3D modeling. You can also capture facial expressions using this software. The website features links to community pages and support pages for troubleshooting. 

Cinema 4D

Developed by Maxon, Cinema 4D is a professional 4D and 3D modeling tool that costs just over $70 per month. It can be used to create motion graphics and illustrations. Due to its popularity, there are many video tutorials and forums available online to guide you. The latest version, Cinema 4D 2023, makes it easier to capture face and body movements and has greater integration with other Maxon.

Clara.io

Clara.io is a free 3D animation software that has all the tools you’ll need to start creating 3D models. It has a cloud storage feature that allows you to collaborate on projects with others or access your projects across multiple platforms. You can also embed or attach your animations on your personal website.

Fusion 360 (Student Version)

Fusion 360 offers either a paid or a free subscription. If you are a student just starting in 3D animation and modeling, you can download the free version. With this program, you will learn different modeling techniques and freeform sculpting. Fusion is available for Mac, PC, Chromebook, Android, and iOS.

Best Books and Resources for Learning 3D Animation

3D animation books are a great resource for learning in-depth animation principles. They usually offer the most comprehensive explanations and details. If you are more inclined to learn through written instructions, then check out these books below.

3D Animation Essentials, Andy Beane

This is a comprehensive book on the fundamentals and principles of 3D animation. Many aspiring artists choose this book to help them learn about 3D animation for video games and films. It covers 3D animating basics from pre-production through to post-production.

3D Art Essentials, Ami Chopine

This book is all about the whys and hows of 3D animation. It will teach you why certain styles or techniques work for a particular project, while others do not. It also covers the basics of how to create scenery correctly. This 3D animation book uses step-by-step tutorials and breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand sections. 

The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects,Isaac Kerlow

This is one of the best animation books for beginners and uses easy-to-understand step-by-step guidelines for the entire process of 3D computer animation. The material is up-to-date with current practices and software. The book covers a broad spectrum of 3D animation techniques and practices, suitable for users of all levels.

Should You Learn 3D Animation?

3D animation is the standard of the animation industry. A lot of films, TV shows, and games rely on 3D animation to ensure that their product appeals to a wide audience. The art of animation has evolved over the years, resulting in even more techniques to choose from as you design your cartoon.

If you want to know how to learn 3D animation there are comprehensive courses available in many forms that cover everything from basic to advanced techniques. Studying 3D animation, whether you’re a student or a professional, will help you get into the 3D animation industry.

How to Learn 3D Animation FAQ