Communication Studies and Language Media Studies

Shade and Map Images on 3D Models Training

SAQA US 242545 | NQF 5 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to shade and map images onto 3D models, enabling them to create realistic textures and lighting effects. Participants will gain proficiency in applying textures and adjusting shading parameters to enhance visual quality in 3D environments.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply shading techniques to 3D models to simulate lighting and material properties.
  • Map 2D images onto 3D surfaces using UV mapping and texture coordinates.
  • Evaluate different shading models (e.g., Phong, Blinn) for appropriate use in 3D scenes.
  • Implement texture mapping methods such as diffuse, specular, and normal mapping.
  • Demonstrate the ability to adjust texture tiling, offset, and blending modes.
  • Analyze the impact of lighting and shading on the visual quality of 3D models.

Target Audience

This course is designed for 3D artists, graphic designers, and multimedia professionals who need to enhance their 3D models with realistic textures and shading.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, basic computer literacy and familiarity with 3D software are recommended.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to 3D Modelling and Shading Concepts

Objectives:
• Understand basic 3D modelling terminology and coordinate systems
• Identify different types of shading (flat, Gouraud, Phong)
• Explain the role of light sources and material properties
• Navigate a 3D software interface for shading and mapping

Topics:
• Overview of 3D models and rendering pipelines
• Coordinate systems and transformations
• Shading models: flat, Gouraud, Phong
• Light types: ambient, directional, point, spot
• Material properties: colour, specular, diffuse, ambient
• Introduction to UV mapping and texture coordinates
• Software interface: viewports, object selection, basic navigation

Day 2: Texture Mapping Fundamentals

Objectives:
• Differentiate between procedural and bitmap textures
• Apply UV mapping techniques to simple objects
• Adjust texture tiling, offset, and rotation
• Use basic image editing for texture creation

Topics:
• Procedural textures vs. bitmap textures
• UV mapping: planar, cylindrical, spherical, box
• Seam placement and texture stretching
• Texture coordinates and mapping channels
• Tiling, offset, and rotation parameters
• Creating simple textures in an image editor
• Applying textures to sample objects

Day 3: Advanced Shading and Material Creation

Objectives:
• Create complex materials using shader networks
• Use bump, normal, and displacement maps for surface detail
• Apply transparency, reflectivity, and refraction
• Organise material libraries for reuse

Topics:
• Shader networks: diffuse, specular, glossy, refraction
• Bump mapping vs. normal mapping vs. displacement mapping
• Opacity and transparency maps
• Reflection and refraction (Fresnel effect)
• Material blending and layered shaders
• Creating and managing material libraries
• Practical exercise: realistic material creation

Day 4: Lighting and Environment Setup

Objectives:
• Set up lighting rigs for different moods and effects
• Use high dynamic range images (HDRI) for environmental lighting
• Apply global illumination and ambient occlusion
• Optimise lighting for render times

Topics:
• Three-point lighting: key, fill, back
• HDRI environment maps
• Global illumination: photon mapping, irradiance caching
• Ambient occlusion passes
• Light linking and exclusion
• Optimising light settings for performance
• Practical exercise: lighting a scene

Day 5: Integration and Final Project

Objectives:
• Combine shading, mapping, and lighting in a complete scene
• Render a final image with appropriate output settings
• Troubleshoot common shading and mapping issues
• Present and critique final work

Topics:
• Scene assembly: model, texture, light
• Render settings: resolution, anti-aliasing, output formats
• Common issues: texture seams, stretching, lighting artifacts
• Post-processing basics (colour correction, compositing)
• Final project: shade and map a provided 3D model
• Peer review and feedback session

Practicals

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

Hands-on practical sessions are essential for learners to apply shading and mapping techniques in a 3D software environment. These sessions allow learners to experiment with UV mapping, material creation, lighting setups, and rendering, reinforcing theoretical concepts through direct application.

Practical Activities
  • UV Mapping Exercise — Learners UV map a simple 3D object (e.g., a cube or sphere) using different projection methods and apply a bitmap texture. (4h)
  • Material Creation Lab — Learners create a realistic material (e.g., wood, metal, glass) using shader networks and maps (bump, normal, reflection). (4h)
  • Lighting Setup Practical — Learners set up a three-point lighting rig and an HDRI environment for a provided 3D scene, then render test images. (4h)
  • Final Project Production — Learners integrate all skills to shade, map, light, and render a complete 3D model (e.g., a vehicle or character) for final presentation. (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
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
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Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 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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