3D Animation Composite Layers Techniques Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply compositing techniques to merge multiple 3D animation layers into a cohesive final output.
• Analyze the visual impact of layer order, blending modes, and transparency settings in animation sequences.
• Evaluate different compositing software tools and select appropriate methods for specific animation projects.
• Design complex composite scenes incorporating effects, lighting, and depth-of-field adjustments.
• Implement color correction and grading techniques to ensure consistency across composited layers.
• Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot common compositing issues, such as edge artifacts and motion blur misalignment.

Target Audience

This course is designed for 3D animators, visual effects artists, and multimedia designers seeking to enhance their compositing skills. It is ideal for professionals who have basic 3D animation knowledge and wish to specialize in layer-based post-production workflows.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practicals are essential for mastering composite layering techniques. Learners will work on guided exercises and a final project to apply keying, tracking, multi-pass compositing, and advanced effects in a professional workflow.

Practical Activities

• Practical 1: Basic Composite Setup — Learners set up a project with multiple layers, apply blending modes, and adjust opacity to create a simple composite from provided renders. (3h)
• Practical 2: Keying and Masking Exercise — Learners key out a green screen background, create masks for foreground elements, and rotoscope a moving subject to produce a clean composite. (4h)
• Practical 3: Motion Tracking and Integration — Learners perform 2D and 3D tracking on provided footage, then integrate 3D elements that match the camera motion. (4h)
• Practical 4: Multi-Pass Compositing — Learners combine multi-pass renders (diffuse, specular, shadows) to recreate a final image with adjustable lighting and depth of field. (3h)
• Practical 5: Final Composite Project — Learners create a 30-second composite scene integrating all techniques learned, then present and critique their work. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.