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Communication Studies and Language › Media Studies

3D Character and Object Modeling for Animation Training

SAQA US 242550 | NQF 5 | Credits 15 | Duration 12 Days
From $2,214 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the practical skills to model 3D objects and characters for animation and visual effects. Participants will master industry-standard workflows for creating, refining, and preparing 3D assets for production, ensuring alignment with South African creative industry standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply polygonal modelling techniques to create 3D objects and characters.
  • Demonstrate the use of subdivision surfaces and sculpting tools for organic forms.
  • Implement UV mapping and texturing workflows to prepare models for rendering.
  • Analyze reference materials to ensure accurate proportions and topology.
  • Evaluate model integrity through checking for non-manifold geometry and edge flow.
  • Design character and object models that meet animation-ready specifications.

Target Audience

Aspiring 3D artists, animators, and visual effects professionals seeking to develop foundational to intermediate modelling skills. Suitable for individuals working in film, gaming, advertising, or architectural visualisation.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation Principles

Objectives:
• Understand the 3D production pipeline and roles within a studio.
• Identify key principles of animation and how they relate to modeling.
• Navigate the interface of a standard 3D software package.
• Create and manipulate basic primitive objects.
• Apply basic transforms (move, rotate, scale) and understand coordinate systems.

Topics:
• Overview of 3D animation industry and career paths.
• The production pipeline: modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, rendering.
• Introduction to 3D software interface (e.g., Blender, Maya).
• Viewport navigation and object selection.
• Primitive objects: cube, sphere, cylinder, plane.
• Transform tools: move, rotate, scale.
• Coordinate systems: world, local, object.
• Saving projects and file management.

Day 2: Polygon Modeling Fundamentals

Objectives:
• Understand polygon mesh components: vertices, edges, faces.
• Use basic modeling tools to create simple 3D objects.
• Apply extrusion, inset, bevel, and loop cuts.
• Practice clean topology principles for animation.
• Model a low-poly prop (e.g., a crate or barrel).

Topics:
• Polygon mesh theory: quads, tris, n-gons.
• Selection modes: vertex, edge, face.
• Extrude, inset, bevel tools.
• Loop cut and slide, knife tool.
• Merging and separating geometry.
• Smooth shading vs flat shading.
• Introduction to subdivision surfaces.
• Practical: model a simple wooden crate.

Day 3: Modeling Hard Surface Objects

Objectives:
• Model a hard surface object with precision (e.g., a sci-fi panel).
• Use boolean operations and modifiers.
• Apply symmetry and mirror modifiers for efficient modeling.
• Understand edge flow for sharp creases and curves.
• Create a mechanical prop with clean topology.

Topics:
• Hard surface modeling techniques.
• Boolean modifiers: union, difference, intersection.
• Mirror and symmetry workflows.
• Edge beveling for sharp details.
• Using the shrinkwrap modifier.
• Array modifier for repeating elements.
• Practical: model a sci-fi panel or weapon part.
• Troubleshooting common mesh errors.

Day 4: Organic Modeling Basics

Objectives:
• Understand the principles of organic modeling.
• Use sculpting tools for base shapes.
• Apply multi-resolution workflow for detail.
• Create a simple organic form (e.g., a rock or tree stump).
• Retopologize a sculpted mesh for animation.

Topics:
• Introduction to digital sculpting.
• Brush types: clay, smooth, inflate, grab.
• Symmetry in sculpting.
• Multi-resolution and dynamic topology.
• Retopology basics: creating clean quad-based mesh.
• Practical: sculpt and retopo a rock or stump.
• Comparison: organic vs hard surface.

Day 5: Character Modeling – Blocking Out the Body

Objectives:
• Plan a character design with reference images.
• Block out the basic proportions of a humanoid character.
• Use reference images in the viewport.
• Create a base mesh with proper edge flow.
• Apply mirror modifier for symmetrical modeling.

Topics:
• Character design fundamentals and references.
• Setting up image planes.
• Blocking out the torso, head, arms, legs.
• Maintaining quad-based topology.
• Edge flow for joints (shoulders, elbows, knees).
• Practical: block out a low-poly humanoid base.
• Checking proportions from multiple views.

Day 6: Character Modeling – Refining the Body and Head

Objectives:
• Refine the torso and limbs with anatomical landmarks.
• Model the head with facial features.
• Create hands and feet with proper topology.
• Ensure edge flow supports deformation.
• Add secondary forms like muscles and fingers.

Topics:
• Anatomical landmarks for torso and limbs.
• Head modeling: eyes, nose, mouth, ears.
• Hand modeling: palm, fingers, thumb.
• Foot modeling: arch, toes.
• Edge flow for facial expressions.
• Practical: refine body and model head.
• Checking topology loops for animation.

Day 7: Character Modeling – Clothing and Accessories

Objectives:
• Model clothing as separate mesh pieces.
• Use cloth simulation to generate base shapes.
• Create folds and wrinkles manually.
• Model accessories like belts, boots, and armor.
• Ensure clothing topology follows body contours.

Topics:
• Clothing modeling techniques: shrinkwrap, extrusion.
• Cloth simulation basics for draping.
• Manual fold and wrinkle creation.
• Accessories: belts, pouches, armor plates.
• Practical: model a shirt and pants.
• Model boots and a belt.
• Combining clothing with body mesh.

Day 8: UV Mapping and Basic Texturing

Objectives:
• Understand UV mapping principles.
• Unwrap a character model efficiently.
• Apply texture projections and packing.
• Create a basic color map in a 2D editor.
• Apply materials and shaders to the model.

Topics:
• UV mapping theory: seams, islands, distortion.
• Unwrapping tools: mark seam, unwrap, pack.
• UV layout optimization and texel density.
• Exporting UV layout to image editor.
• Painting a basic diffuse map.
• Applying materials: diffuse, specular, normal.
• Practical: UV unwrap the character.
• Paint a simple color texture.

Day 9: Rigging Fundamentals for Models

Objectives:
• Understand the rigging pipeline.
• Create a simple skeleton for the character.
• Apply skinning and weight painting.
• Test deformations with basic poses.
• Identify and fix common skinning issues.

Topics:
• Introduction to rigging: joints, bones, hierarchies.
• Creating a skeleton: spine, arms, legs, head.
• Forward kinematics vs inverse kinematics.
• Skinning: binding mesh to skeleton.
• Weight painting tools and techniques.
• Testing deformations with posing.
• Practical: rig the character with basic skeleton.
• Adjust weight paints for clean deformations.

Day 10: Animation Basics – Posing and Keyframing

Objectives:
• Understand keyframe animation principles.
• Create a simple walk cycle for the character.
• Use the graph editor to refine motion.
• Apply principles of animation: squash and stretch, anticipation.
• Export animation as a playblast.

Topics:
• Keyframe animation: setting keys, auto-key.
• Walk cycle mechanics: contact, passing, up, down.
• Graph editor: curves, tangents, interpolation.
• Animation principles: timing, spacing, arcs.
• Squash and stretch for cartoon style.
• Playblast and export options.
• Practical: animate a walk cycle.
• Refine motion using graph editor.

Day 11: Advanced Modeling Techniques and Optimization

Objectives:
• Use advanced modifiers for complex shapes.
• Create LOD (Level of Detail) versions of the model.
• Optimize topology for game engines.
• Model a complex object (e.g., a vehicle or creature).
• Apply retopology techniques for high-poly to low-poly.

Topics:
• Advanced modifiers: subdivision surface, displace.
• LOD creation and decimation.
• Game-ready modeling: polycount budget, normal maps.
• High-poly to low-poly baking.
• Retopology for organic forms.
• Practical: create a high-poly creature head.
• Retopo to low-poly and bake normal map.
• Optimization techniques for real-time.

Day 12: Final Project and Portfolio Preparation

Objectives:
• Complete a final modeling project from concept to render.
• Apply all learned skills: modeling, UV, texturing, rigging, animation.
• Present the final model in a turntable animation.
• Prepare portfolio images and summary.
• Receive feedback and final assessment.

Topics:
• Final project brief: model a character or object with animation.
• Time management and workflow planning.
• Integrating all stages: modeling, UV, texturing, rigging, animation.
• Rendering a turntable animation.
• Portfolio presentation: screenshots, wireframes, breakdown.
• Peer review and instructor feedback.
• Final assessment criteria.
• Course wrap-up and next steps.

Practicals

48 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Hands-on practical sessions are integral to this course, allowing learners to apply modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation techniques under supervision. Each session builds on theoretical knowledge, reinforcing skills through guided exercises and project work.

Practical Activities
  • Practical 1: Basic Modeling and Prop Creation — Learners create a low-poly prop (crate) and a hard-surface object (sci-fi panel) using polygon modeling tools and modifiers. (12h)
  • Practical 2: Character Modeling and UV Mapping — Learners model a complete humanoid character with clothing and accessories, then UV unwrap and apply a basic texture. (16h)
  • Practical 3: Rigging and Animation — Learners rig their character with a basic skeleton, apply skinning, and animate a walk cycle. (12h)
  • Practical 4: Advanced Modeling and Portfolio Project — Learners complete a final project: a high-poly creature head or vehicle, retopologized and optimized, presented as a turntable animation. (8h)

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

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

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.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Thu 24 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Wed 14 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Tue 03 Nov 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Tue 22 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $2,214 Register
Fri 15 Jan 2027 Mon 01 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $2,214 Register
Thu 18 Feb 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $2,214 Register
Wed 03 Mar 2027 Thu 18 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $2,214 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Wed 24 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $2,214 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Tue 30 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $2,214 Register
Fri 11 Jun 2027 Mon 28 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $2,214 Register
Thu 01 Jul 2027 Fri 16 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $2,214 Register
Wed 21 Jul 2027 Thu 05 Aug 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $2,214 Register
Tue 07 Sep 2027 Wed 22 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $2,214 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Tue 12 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $2,214 Register
Fri 22 Oct 2027 Mon 08 Nov 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $2,214 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Tue 21 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
Fri 31 Dec 2027 Mon 17 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
Thu 20 Jan 2028 Fri 04 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Tue 18 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $4,995 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $6,237 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $5,481 Register
Thu 06 Aug 2026 Fri 21 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $7,641 Register
Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mon 24 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,321 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Thu 17 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Thu 22 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Wed 11 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Tue 15 Dec 2026 Wed 30 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,878 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Tue 02 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,878 Register
Fri 26 Feb 2027 Mon 15 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $2,878 Register
Thu 11 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 17 Mar 2027 Thu 01 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Tue 23 Mar 2027 Wed 07 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Tue 29 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 09 Jul 2027 Mon 26 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 29 Jul 2027 Fri 13 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 15 Sep 2027 Thu 30 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Wed 20 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Tue 09 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Wed 29 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Tue 18 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 28 Jan 2028 Mon 14 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Training Discounts
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% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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