Introduction to 3D

Course details

No matter what software you use or final product you create, all 3D modeling and rendering packages share the same underlying concepts. In this course, expert George Maestri provides a broad overview of these concepts and the techniques that apply to all types of 3D artwork: character designs, product shots, animation, visual effects, and more. He starts with navigating 3D space and manipulating existing objects, reviews geometry and modeling, and shows how to apply color and texture to surfaces. Finally, George goes over basic rendering theory, covering features found in most commercial rendering engines.

Learning objectives
Navigating 3D space
Connecting objects through hierarchies
Modeling geometry
Sculpting in 3D
Creating patch-based surfaces
Creating and applying textures and materials
Rendering 3D projects

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Learn the core concepts of 3D modeling and rendering
02 - Working with the exercise files

1. Understanding 3D Space

03 - As easy as X, Y, Z
04 - Navigate in 3D
05 - It's all relative
06 - Transform objects
07 - Connect objects through hierarchies

2. Modeling and 3D Geometry

08 - What is geometry
09 - Polygonal surfaces
10 - Build up surfaces
11 - Plan your geometry
12 - Sculpt in 3D

3. Patch-Based Surfaces

13 - Curves and curve types
14 - Patch-based surfaces
15 - Modeling with patches

4. Textures and Materials

16 - What is a material
17 - Basics of shaders
18 - Advanced materials
19 - Bumps and normal maps
20 - Project textures
21 - UV mapping

5. Rendering Images

22 - Rendering as virtual photography
23 - Basics of lighting for 3D
24 - Shadows and shading
25 - Indirect and bounce light
26 - Lighting workflow
27 - Work with camera
28 - Final rendering

6. Introduction to Blender

29 - Blender interface and overview
30 - Viewports and navigation in Blender
31 - Select objects in Blender
32 - Move, rotate, and scale in Blender
33 - Creating hierarchies in Blender
34 - Add color in Blender
35 - Add texture in Blender
36 - Add cameras in Blender
37 - Set up lights in Blender
38 - Render in Blender

7. Introduction to Maya

39 - Maya setup
40 - Maya interface and overview
41 - Viewports and navigation in Maya
42 - Select objects in Maya
43 - Move, rotate, and scale in Maya
44 - Creating hierarchies in Maya
45 - Add color in Maya
46 - Add texture in Maya
47 - Add cameras in Maya
48 - Set up lights in Maya
49 - Rendering in Maya

8. Introduction to 3ds Max

50 - 3ds Max setup
51 - 3ds Max interface and overview
52 - Viewports and navigation in 3ds Max
53 - Selecting objects in 3ds Max
54 - Move, rotate, and scale in 3ds Max
55 - Create hierarchies in 3ds Max
56 - Add color in 3ds Max
57 - Add texture in 3ds Max
58 - Add cameras in 3ds Max
59 - Set up lights in 3ds Max
60 - Rendering in 3ds Max

9. Introduction to Cinema 4D

61 - Cinema 4D interface and overview
62 - Viewports and navigation in Cinema 4D
63 - Select objects in Cinema 4D
64 - Move, rotate, and scale in Cinema 4D
65 - Create hierarchies in Cinema 4D
66 - Add color and textures in Cinema 4D
67 - Set up lights in Cinema 4D
68 - Add cameras in Cinema 4D
69 - Rendering in Cinema 4D

Conclusion

70 - Next steps