6 Best 3D Animation Courses To Advance In Career

Published: November 13, 2023

3D animation refers to the creation of moving images using computer-generated graphics. 3D animations are created using specialized software that allows animators to model and manipulate virtual objects and characters, apply textures and lighting, and add realistic movement and physics to their creations.

The demand for multimedia artists and animators is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a 3D animator in the United States is around $70,000 per year, making it a lucrative career choice.

Learning 3D animation is crucial for anyone looking to enter the digital media industry. 3D animation learning opens up various job opportunities, such as advertising, film production, and video game design.

This blog will provide you with a list of the best 3D animation courses available today that will teach you the skills needed to master animation and become a successful one.

Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced animator looking to refine your skills, these courses will provide guidance and resources to achieve your goals.

Join the ranks of top-notch 3D animators and bring your imagination to life. Enroll now and start creating!

List of the Best 3D Animation Courses and Classes to Learn Online in 2023

  1. Best Course to Learn 3D Modeling – Coursera
  2. Top-Rated 3D Animation Course – Skillshare
  3. Top Notch Intermediate Level 3D Class – Skillshare
  4. Best 3D Animation Course for Beginners – Udemy
  5. Most Comprehensive 3D Animation Class – Udemy
  6. Fully Loaded 3D Animation Class with 84 Lactures – Udemy

Detailed Review of 6 Best Courses To Learn 3D Animation

Learning how to become a 3D Animator might sound daunting, but we have got you covered.  Finding the perfect course for you is the most important step, so let’s dive in!

1. Best Course to Learn 3D Modeling – Coursera

3d animation online course offered by University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers the best 3D animation online course. The program is suitable for those who are just starting out and are interested in 3D design and learning how to use 3D modeling software. The course is a four-week practical program that teaches you how to use Rhino software to create 3D models while gaining basic design skills to bring your imagination to life. 

The 3D course covers the fundamentals of the software as well as 3D modeling in general. You’ll learn how to navigate the user interface and the different 3D tools that you’ll be using to create models throughout this course. Once you’ve completed each step of the course, you can bring your newfound skills together into one final 3D modeling project.

Glenn Wilcox, Associate Professor in Architecture at the University of Michigan, is the instructor. He has designed the course to be particularly useful to architects, designers, engineers, or anyone studying in these fields. The program offers a Shareable Certificate upon completion and has flexible deadlines, allowing you to reset deadlines according to your schedule.

The online 3D course is priced at $39.99/month and offers excellent value for money as it covers all the key concepts and practical exercises required to learn 3D modeling, animation, and Rendering course. Student reviews have been positive, highlighting the course’s informative content and practical approach. 

Enroll in this course and unleash your 3D modeling potential today!

2. Top-Rated 3D Animation Course – Skillshare

designed for intermediate-level students

This top-rated 3D Animation course is designed for intermediate-level students who want to add animation skills to their toolkit. This program is entirely online and consists of 17 lessons, with a total duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes. The course is relatively short but covers all the basics needed to create a 15-second animated educational video.

Students will learn how to sketch and storyboard their ideas, organize custom design assets in Adobe Illustrator, compose visuals in Adobe After Effects, and save their final video for sharing.

The course offers practical exercises to help students gain hands-on experience in animation for graphic design, such as animating design elements and composing on a timeline.

Upon completion, the course does not offer certification, but students will have learned a valuable skill that is in demand in the industry. The course is value for money at $32/month as it offers essential knowledge for graphic designers who want to stay up to date with the latest trends in marketing and social media.

Carolyn Owsiany is the instructor for this program. She has a degree in Art & Design from the Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. Overall, the course has positive student reviews and is a great way for graphic designers to add animation skills to their repertoire.

3D animation for Graphic Design courses is an excellent option for intermediate-level graphic designers looking to add animation skills to their skill set. Don’t hesitate to enroll today!

3. Top Notch Intermediate Level 3D Class – Skillshare

learn techniques to create your own artwork

This is one of the best 3D animation courses designed for intermediate-level students and covers essential modeling techniques used in animation, motion design, and video game design. The program consists of 13 lessons, covering everything from an introduction to modeling tools to building and cleaning up a full character model.

Led by the talented SouthernShotty3D, an art director, animator, and illustrator who is also a creative director at MoGraph Mentor, these lessons offer practical exercises to help you gain hands-on experience in 3D modeling. You will learn about good topology and tricks to speed up your workflow.

While this course is not intended to be a step-by-step guide to making a specific character, you will learn techniques to create your own artwork. The class project files will enable you to model your own artwork, and there’s even a full 4.5-hour recording of Southern Shotty 3D modeling the character included.

This program can be accessed through a Skillshare membership fee of $32 per month, giving you access to all courses on the platform. Although Skillshare does not offer certification upon completion, it is a great value for money. With an experienced instructor and practical exercises, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in 3D modeling. 

So what are you waiting for? Enroll in this course and start mastering the art of 3D modeling today!

4. Best 3D Animation Course for Beginners – Udemy

 beginner to advanced 3d animation course

This is an absolute beginner to advanced 3D animation course online suitable for everyone, regardless of prior experience.

The curriculum covers the 3D pipeline, including modeling, animation, and rendering. You will learn how to generate 3D models and animations from scratch, tackle complex lighting situations, and solve rendering and lighting problems. 

The course includes practical hands-on exercises where you learn how to create materials using nodes, utilize both Blender render engines, and generate UV maps on top of geometry to apply textures.

The instructor Sebastian Vargas has a background in Engineering and Computer Graphics and ensures you understand the math behind Blender with concept videos.

This program offers a certification on completion, and the time duration is self-paced. It’s reasonably priced at $84.99, and you can expect value for money. The instructor has created other relevant lessons with over 10,000 happy students with great reviews. The course has an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5, with 1,243 ratings and over 7,192 students enrolled.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive right in and start learning Blender 3D today!

3. Most Comprehensive 3D Animation Class – Udemy

learn fundamentals of 3D modeling and animation

This 3D animation course online offers comprehensive training in Maya, 3DSMax, and Mudbox. With 160 lectures totaling over 22 hours, this online program covers everything from the fundamentals of 3D modeling and animation to advanced techniques in digital sculpting, rigging, lighting, and rendering and is, therefore, suitable for beginners and advanced students alike. 

In addition to learning these complex programs through simple, fun projects, students can expect to gain hands-on experience and skills that are highly sought after in various industries, such as video games, visual effects, animation, design, engineering, and app development. Plus, at a highly affordable cost of only $13.99, this program offers excellent value for money.

Led by the School of Game Design, an organization committed to providing current industry education in interactive arts, this 3D Master Class is taught by experts with real-world training. Upon completion, students receive certification and the opportunity to create professional-quality assets for their portfolios, games, and animations.

With a 4.3 rating out of 5 and glowing reviews from over 6,000 students, this 3D Animation & Modeling Master Class is highly recommended for graphic designers, game designers, educators, 3D professionals looking to learn new tools and beginner to advanced 3D artists. 

So, are you ready to become a 3D animation superstar? Enroll today and start your journey toward success in the exciting world of 3D animation and modeling!

6. Fully Loaded 3D Animation Class with 84 Lactures – Udemy

prior knowledge of animation

This program accommodates students of all levels, from novice to advanced. It’s delivered through 84 lectures over a total length of 8 hours and 37 minutes and covers a broad range of topics, including the principles of 3D animation, body mechanics, and a Blender guide.

You don’t need any prior knowledge of 3D animation to enroll, just a computer and the desire to learn.

One of the course’s strengths is the depth of its content, which covers everything from animating a bouncing ball to the five stages of animation: Reference, Blocking, Blocking +, Splines, and Polishing. The course also includes tips on how to take your animation to the next level and a Blender technical guide to animating 3D like a pro

Additionally, the course has practical exercises to help you gain hands-on experience. You will learn how to make your characters think for themselves, have unique personalities, and look like they are alive. Furthermore, you will receive access to a private group of 3D animators to receive feedback and watch the animations of your classmates. 

The top online 3D animation course is taught by an experienced instructor David Omair Fuertes Martin, who has an excellent reputation in the field of 3D animation. You can expect to receive value for your money since the course is affordably priced at $13.99. A certificate of completion is available after finishing the course. 

With a brilliant rating of 4.7/5, we highly recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their 3D animation skills or start a career in this field!

Our Criteria to Choose the Best 3D Animation Courses for You

Eligibility Criteria: We looked for courses that were accessible to a wide range of learners, including beginners and professionals, and had clear prerequisites and requirements for admission.

Course Curriculum: We evaluated the depth and breadth of each course’s curriculum, including the topics covered, the learning outcomes, and the opportunities for hands-on practice.

Teaching Methodologies: We considered the teaching methods used by each course, including the quality and clarity of the video lectures, the effectiveness of the assignments, and the availability of support from instructors and peers.

The Reputation of the Course: It includes their track record of student success, the quality of their alumni network, and their partnerships with industry leaders.

Instructor’s Rating: We examined the credentials and experience of each instructor, as well as their teaching style and effectiveness and the feedback and ratings they received from students.

Cost: We compared the cost of each course to the value provided, including the quality and quantity of content, the level of instructor involvement, and the resources and support provided.

Job Placement: We evaluated each course’s job placement and career support services, including their track record of student success, the quality of their career services team, and the resources and support provided to help graduates find jobs.

Career Support: We considered the resources and support provided by each course to help graduates advance their careers, including job search tools, networking opportunities, and continuing education options.

Best 3D Animation Courses - FAQs

Are 3D Animation Courses Worth the Money?

Yes, 3D animation courses are worth the money as they provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills required to work in the animation industry. With the demand for 3D animation increasing in various fields, such as film, gaming, advertising, and education, a 3D animation course can lead to a fulfilling and lucrative career.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a 3D Animation Course?

The duration of a 3D animation course varies depending on the level of expertise and the type of course. Typically, a beginner-level 3D animation course can take anywhere from several hours to 3 months to complete, whereas advanced courses may take over a year. Many courses are self-paced, allowing students to complete the course at their own speed.

Is a 3D Animation Course Good for Beginners?

Yes, a 3D animation course can be an excellent choice for beginners who are interested in learning about 3D animation. These courses assume little to no prior knowledge of the software and the industry, making them accessible to anyone who is willing to learn and cover the basics of 3D animation, including software tools and techniques.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 3D animation is a highly sought-after skill in today’s digital world, with increasing demand in the entertainment industry for creating movies and video games. With numerous online courses available, anyone can learn the art of 3D animation and become a proficient animator.

This blog has covered the best 3D animation courses, each offering a unique approach to learning and providing a range of resources, including hands-on projects, practical exercises, and interactive sessions to help students succeed. These courses cater to individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced animators. 

Enrolling in one of the top 3D animation courses online provides an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills with the help of highly sought-after industry leaders and unlock a range of job opportunities in the 3D animation industry. 

With the guidance provided by these 3D animation classes, students can learn the skills needed to create high-quality animations and bring their imaginations to life. So why wait? Enroll in one of these courses today and embark on an exciting journey to becoming a master 3D animator.