Professional Diploma in 3D Modelling and Animation for Games

Students will require a laptop or PC for the duration of this Game Design course. Students will use Blender software, which is available free online, for practical work throughout the course.

This course is broken into two major sections: 3D Modelling and Animation. Students will be introduced to the following elements.

In the Modelling Section Students will explore:

Hard surface Modelling: This will include methods for creating 3D models that resemble objects composed of hard materials such as metal, brick, and stone. This will allow students to create spaceships, cars, buildings, and more.

Organic Modelling: This will include creating objects of organic origin, such as humans, creatures, flora, and fauna. There are many assets that fall into this category.

Sculpting is one of the most important elements of creating organic shapes, allowing the creator to shape a form and a 3D asset into a unique form and to exercise freedom when creating an object. This is part of the organic modelling workflow.

Texture Painting: Perhaps one of the most well-known methods of adding texture or colour to a 3D asset. This method allows the creator to colour directly onto the 3D asset, making it one of the most intuitive ways to create textures on a 3D Asset.

UV Unwrapping: This is a simple concept, but it can become quite complex in practice. Where a 3D Object is marked with seams and its shape is projected onto a 2D image, textures can be applied correctly.

Animation is a concept that can cover many elements in this course. Some of the key areas are:

Key Frame Animation: This is one of the two types of animation. This method uses keyframes as set points in the timeline and allows the computer to calculate the frames between them. Making it easier for the animation.

Lighting: In animation, lighting is a key element that can add or remove from the overall atmosphere of the scene or animation you are trying to create.

Simple showreel: In the course, we will create a simple showreel showcasing the elements we can create to build a portfolio.

Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

Submission 1:

A finished prop based on a well-known concept or prop in an already established IP. This will allow students to create a prop while evaluating a pre-existing IP. The student will create a report that explains how they evaluated and dissected the object to recreate the asset.

Submission 2:

A showreel of a character’s moves for a game, performing a simple attack pattern. This assessment will consider animation, lighting, particle effects, and overall visual impact.

This course is designed for people who want to explore a foundation in 3D Modelling and Animation workflows for games. Delving into the wonderful world of 3D modelling, students will discover different methods for creating 3D artworks and explore ways to create unique and interesting designs for use in games. Students will also explore 3D animation, creating and rigging their own concepts for implementation in a 3D Game Engine. This course provides a good overview of many asset-creation methods, allowing students to explore areas they enjoy and start their journey on the right foot.

Blender:

o Modelling

• Creating a simple low poly Asset
• UV Unwrapping the asset
• Texture painting the asset
• Lathing to create a simple object
• Shader graph
• Partial Effects
• Rendering an Image
• Organic Modelling

o Animation

• Key Frame animation
• Animation principles
• Camera animation
• Path Animation
• Lighting

o Game Design

• Colour theory in games
• Creating characters for games
• Creating animations for games
• Designing interesting visual elements for games

After completing this course, learners will have the essential start to a portfolio that may be used later to apply for further study in Game Design, 3D modelling, and/or animation. They will also have the potential for further self-directed learning in an area of interest.

On completion of this Game Design course students will have a good foundation of knowledge in many areas of animation, with the understanding and knowledge to explore areas of interest in more depth. Establishing the start of a portfolio during the course students will be able to build on and improve their work with the confidence in their fundamental understanding of animation.

Students will be able to work on many different types of projects and in many areas with the skills gained in this Game Design course. Throughout the course students demonstrate their understanding of 3D modelling and the different requirements needed for games vs film etc.

Areas of interest that some students may explore in more detail after the Game Design course include but are not limited to:

• Lighting Artist
• Environment Modellers
• Prop modeller
• Concept artist
• Character Rigger
• Character modeller
• Animator
• Environment Design
• And many more…

A City College Dublin’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Dublin Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City College Dublin can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.