3d Design Classes Near Me

Looking for the best online 3D design and animation classes and courses? Well, you've come to the right place. We've put together a list of the best online 3D design tutorials on the web. We've included both free and paid classes for all abilities to give you lots of variety.

But first, let's answer an important question – what is 3D design?

3D design, or sometimes called 3D modeling, is a technique in computer graphics for producing a 3D digital representation of any object or surface. These 3D models are used for a variety of different mediums including video games, movies, architecture, illustration, engineering and commercial advertising. 3D models can also create animations, which are an emerging medium of communication, especially in the education and entertainment domains.

To understand how to create 3D designs, you don't need to spend hours at University or spend thousands on studying. There are plenty of online 3D design classes and courses that cover everything you need to know. Suitable for those of all levels, I have spent the time researching the best online 3D design tutorials out there. If you're looking to progress your drawing skills, either for a graphic design career, or to just to enhance your creative skill set, there will be an online tutorial for you.

1. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modeling for Beginners (Udemy)

Level:Beginner
Completion time: 36h 36m
Cost: $64.99
Certification: No
Number of people who have completed the course:226,764
Course rating:4.7/5 (out of 44,778 ratings)

Created by GameDev TV, who has helped over 600,000 students with their engaging and entertaining content, this is one of Udemy's highest rated and best-selling 3D-design classes.

In this class, you will be taught all the 3D modeling fundamentals that you could ever need! You will learn how to use blender to make 3D models that can then be used to create assets for video games, make unique 3D printed gifts, design your dream house or create 3D artwork. In the course, you will be challenged, you will be shown and you will be asked to apply your knowledge regularly. To complete this course, all you need is some confidence using a computer and the desire to learn and expand your skill set!

2. Bring Your Illustrations to Life with Blender 3D (Skillshare)

Level:Beginner
Completion time:2h 51m
Cost: $7.00/month when billed annually. 14-day free trial
Certification:No
Number of people who have completed the course:2,071
Course rating:N/A

In this Skillshare class, you will illustrate, model, and texture your own 3D scene based off one of your own illustrations. Taught by Remington Markham, a motion designer, art director, animator, illustrator and Skillshare top teacher, this course will guide you through the process of illustrating, modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering a scene in 3D.

You will use Blender 3D, a free open source software, to create your 3D character. In this course, you will cover all the skills traditionally used in 3D modelling and design. Suitable for those with no prior knowledge, by the end you should feel confident using Blender's interface.

3. Introduction to 3D Modeling (CG Spectrum)

Level:Beginner
Completion time:20 hours per week (for 3 months)
Cost:$3,199
Certification: Yes
Number of people who have completed the course:N/A
Course rating:N/A

CG spectrum offers affordable high-quality education. In this 3-month long course, you will learn the 3D modeling basics from industry pros who have worked on films and games for years.

This class last 3-months, which may seem like a very long time. However, it will teach beginners everything they need to know to get their 3D modeling skills up to scratch. Using Maya, a 3D modeling program, you'll learn how to set up proper workflows, how to retopolgize objects for clean line flow, how to create 3D assets from films and games and how to create texture using Substance Painter.

Whether you're straight out of high school, changing careers or just upgrading your skills, this specialized program will help you build practical job skills that serve you throughout your career!

4. Blender 3D – Create a Cartoon Character (Skillshare)

Level:Beginner
Completion time:1h 24m
Cost: $7.00/month when billed annually. 14-day free trial
Certification:No
Number of people who have completed the course:661
Course rating:N/A

In this Skillshare 3D Design class, you will create a very simple, yet very cool looking, lowpoly character. Taught by Ivan Yosifov, an experienced 3D game artist and animator, there is no need for any prior knowledge of 3D-design, or of blender… Ivan will show you everything you need to know!

In just an hour and 24 minutes you'll cover everything you need to know about blender. You'll take a look at bench modeling, character modeling, how to create materials and how to render. By the end of this class, you'll feel confident using blender to create jaw-dropping 3D designs!

5. 3D Modeling with Maya: How to Model 3D Weapons From Scratch! (Udemy)

Level:Beginner
Completion time: 2h 19m
Cost: $59.99
Certification:No
Number of people who have completed the course:1,626
Course rating:4.1/5 (out of 104 ratings)

Created by Animation Hacks, a visual effect institute who offer a huge and ever growing range of high quality training solutions, this Udemy course will help you to master 3D modeling with Maya.

In this 3D design tutorial, you will learn how to understand and use Mayas interface. The course will then teach you how to create 3D models with simple modeling skills so that you can create professional quality assets for your portfolios, games and animations. By the end of this class, you should understand the principles of modeling and have the knowledge to kickstart a career using 3D design, whether that's for video games, visual effects, animation or graphic design!

6. The 3D Printing Revolution (Coursera)

Level:Beginner
Completion time: 10h
Cost:Free to enroll
Certification:Yes
Number of people who have completed the course:40,242
Course rating:4.7/5 (out of 1,408 ratings)

This course will demonstrate to anyone who is looking to progress their graphic design skills how 3D printers work, what can be made with them and what happens in the 3D printing ecosystem.

This course has four separate modules and covers things such as the types of objects you can make using 3D technology, why 3D printing is so revolutionary and what it's done for the economy. Through a series of informative video lectures, on-location interviews with 3D printing experts and engaging hands-on exercises, you will have a solid understanding of 3D printing and its revolutionary potential after completing this course. You will be able to print, and customize, mind-blowing 3D designs.

7. Blender 3D: Your First 3D Character (Skillshare)

Level:Beginner
Completion time: 1h 2m
Cost: $7.00/month when billed annually. 14-day free trial
Certification: No
Number of people who have completed the course: 14,348
Course rating:N/A

Taught by Remington Marham, who is a motion designer, art director, animator and illustrator with a passion for all things 2D and 3D. In the Skillshare class, you will learn how to design, model and texture your own 3D character!

You will cover all the skills traditionally used in animation, motion design, video game design and VFX. You'll learn how to optimize workflow for speed and efficiency, and absolutely no prior 3D design experience is required! By the end of this course, you should be able to create fun and exciting 3D characters!

Conclusion

So, there you have it… the 7 best online 3D design tutorials that are suited to those wanting to improve their graphic design skills so that they have more job opportunities!

There are lots of online options available for you to advance your graphic skills! There are free courses that take less than an hour, and there are more expensive courses that take five hours to complete! Some courses are suitable for those who have never even opened a computer to graphic design before. Whereas other courses are for those who are artistic and already have an excellent understanding of how to create beautiful graphics.

The online classes on this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher and they all have lots of satisfied and happy customers.

So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Are you a complete graphic design newbie? Or have you got years of experience in the creative industry and just want to refresh your knowledge? Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, skill top up?