VX4002 - First Year 3D VFX Module

VX4002 - create a photorealistic object 

VX4002 is a four week module taken by all of our First Year Undergraduate Students at Escape Studios. It is worth 15 credits. 

VX4002 introduces students to the basics of the 3D pipeline. Students learn 3D modelling, texturing and lighting in Autodesk Maya.

VX4002 is about mastering the 3D VFX pipeline, aiming at the kind of photorealistic style which dominates work in the visual effects industry.

VX4002

Student Work created in VX4002 (real typewriter, cg radio)

The objective of module VX4002 is to provide an initial overview of the VFX pipeline, with a focus on post-production related to asset creation.  

Over four weeks, students are introduced to four key topics:

• 3D Modeling
• UV Mapping
• Texturing
• Lighting

Software

Student Work created in VX4002 - CG Polaroid

We use a number of software packages at Escape Studios; these are adjusted regularly as new tools are embraced by industry. 

Software taught in VX4002 includes: Maya, Arnold (for rendering) and Substance Painter.

Personal Project - Create a Photorealistic 3D Object

VX4002 work by Lewis Sims - CG scales

Students are invited to put their knowledge into practice through the creation of a personal project; creating a photorealistic 3D object, mastering all the various aspects of asset creation.

Skills learned include 3D modelling, texturing, lighting and finally rendering the 3D object onto a photographic background plate.

You can find video tutorials for VX4002 here, covering all aspects of 3D VFX. 

Tutor

VX4002 is taught by Federico Arculeo

VX4002 is taught by Escape Studios tutor Federico Arculeo, an experienced VFX artist whose movie credits include Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Zarrar (2022). 

First Year at Escape Studios
The First Year at Escape Studios offers our students a number of opportunities to practice their creativity and pick up new skills. 

By the end of the year, students will be ready to move into their specialist area, and dig deeper into their specialist skillset.  You can read about the 

Second year at Escape Studios here.

First Year Modules

Student Work created in VX4002. Real cabinet, CG violin

The First Year at Escape Studios comprises six modules worth a total of 120 credits:

• CR4002 – Creative Foundations Craft (30 Credits) This module includes a number of mini-modules, such as Movement & Narrative, Photography & Composition, Cinematography & Lighting, Art Foundation, and TRAP  (Teamwork, Academic Writing, and Presentation Skills)
• PR4001 – Creative Foundations Project (2 week group project) (30 Credits)
• AN4001 – Animation 1 (15 Credits)
• VX4001 - 2D VFX (Compositing) - (15 Credits)
• VX4002 - 3D VFX (15 Credits)
• GA4001 – Games (15 Credits)

Grand Total: 120 Credits

Vimeo Tutorial Channel

Video Resources - Vimeo Tutorial Channel

Our Vimeo Tutorial Channel has hundreds of video tutorials to support our students' classroom learning. 

You can find the tutorials for VX4002 here, covering all aspects of 3D VFX. 

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year at Escape Studios

Student Work created in VX4002 - CG Walkman & cassette

To see what's in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year at Escape Studios, follow these links:

• First Year at Escape Studios
• Second Year at Escape Studios
• Third Year at Escape Studios. 
• Fourth and Final Year, (Integrated MArt)

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2023, follow this link.   To apply, visit the official page here.