Character Modelling for Feature Animation 1001

Learn how to model production-ready assets for CG Animation

In this course, we will take you through the process of creating a character model suitable for CG Animation and VFX. We’ll go from breaking down the initial asset brief, creating a moodboard and gathering reference, to blocking out the asset, creating production-ready topology and UVs, and then finalising the model for the next stage of the pipeline and rendering.

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This on-demand course is part of our monthly subscription plan, which you can sign up for £24.99/month, in which you will also get access to all our other on-demand course. To find out more about the subscription, you can follow the link below:

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Course Details

Release Date: 2020.09
Type: On-demand
Level: Beginner
Lessons: 8
Duration: 17hr
Format: Video on-demand
Assignments: 8
Tools: Maya, ZBrush, Arnold
Prerequisites: Basic Knowledge of Maya and ZBrush
Course Access Time: Lifetime

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Lessons in this course

01. Reference moodboards and project organisation

In this lesson, we’ll break down the asset brief, create a moodboard, gather reference, and then set up our modelling environment.
02. Blocking out the asset and modelling techniques

This lesson will demonstrate how to go about blocking out the asset. We’ll jump between Maya and ZBrush to block out the primary forms.
03. Modelling clean topology

With the asset blocked out, we’ll move on to looking at the topology tools required to create a model suitable for rigging and deformation.
04. Finalising the topology

Using the tools and techniques used in the previous lesson, we’ll continue to refine and finalise our topology.
05. UV tools and the character UVs

This lesson will cover how to go about creating production-ready UVs. We’ll cover the basics of UVs, UDIMs and resolution, cutting, sewing, unfolding, scale, and setting a practical shell layout.
06. UVing the costume

With the character UVed, we’ll move on to UVing the costume.
07. Sculpting additional forms and details

We’ll now look at how to go about adding additional details using Zbrush to bring the character to life.
08. Finalising and presenting the model

Our final lesson will run through the steps to finalise the asset and ensure it is ready for texturing and look development. We’ll also go through the process of creating model turntable renders for review.

Tutor: Jan Jinda

Asset Generalist

Jan is a 3D Asset Generalist with more than 10 years’ experience in the VFX and the advertisement industry. After high school he jumped right into the industry and worked on several game projects, and in 2007 he started to work at UPP Prague on numerous big budget VFX projects. After creating 3D for several films alongside the most talented artists in the Czech Republic, it was time to move on. During a short stint as a freelance artist for TV commercials and films, he joined former UPP colleagues and formed RUR Postproduction. In RUR he had the opportunity to work on big commercials as well as short and feature films, taking on the role of VFX Supervisor. After 4 years at RUR came a next major breaking point: Jan moved to London to fulfil his dream to work on the biggest VFX blockbusters. He joined DNEG London, which is one of the biggest VFX companies in the world, and he started to finally shape his career solely as an asset artist. He worked as a Lead Asset Artist at DNEG on projects such as Avengers: Endgame, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Venom and many others. Right now Jan is back in Prague and he is developing his freelance career again.

Course Fee: £84.99

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Character Modelling for Feature Animation 1001

This on-demand course will introduce you to character modelling techniques to create a production-ready asset for Feature Animation.

Learn how to model production-ready assets for CG Animation