Top 17 Online 3D Animation Courses

Giving a cartoon effect and a three-dimensional structure to objects is called 3D animation. These objects can be moved around in the virtual space. 3D animation is widely used in video games and animated movies. But did you know? 3D animation has several other uses like military and defense plans, educational videos for students of medicine, and creating a framework for construction. Thus there is a huge demand for 3D animation courses online.
View more: Animation Certification Courses

A 3D animation tutorial is an excellent way to demonstrate cardiac and neurosurgeries for junior surgeons. With 3D animation courses online, you can learn to make characters look more natural with intricate details. The art of creating real-looking cartoons has seen massive growth since the beginning of the 20th century. Among the five types of animation, 3D animation is the most in-demand. So if your passion is in animation, then it is worth your time, effort, and money to invest in some of the best 3D animation courses online.

Read also : Career as an Animator

List of 17 Top 3D Animation Courses Online

Here is a list of some of the best 3D animation courses online that are definitely worth

checking out.

Note: The above data is collected and gathered by the Careers360 team.

1. Animation and CGI Motion

This is one of the best 3D animation courses online from the Edx Platform. Created by the prestigious Columbia University, New York, this course is perfect for a professional.

At the end of the course, armed with all the technical aspects, you will be able to create realistic animations, predict the motion of materials in such a way that you will create life-like characters.

Platform: Columbia University via Edx

Cost: Rs. 18572 (free for auditing)

Duration: 12 weeks

Topics covered

• Fundamental algorithms for realistic animations (hair, clothing, rigid bodies, liquids, etc.

• Temporal integration of the equations of motion

• Mathematical models for mechanical systems

• How to treat contact and impact with numerical methods

• Lagrangian and Eulerian representations of continua control of physical models

• How to integrate ordinary differential equations

• Physical phenomena like the flow of water and metal sheet crumpling and formulate models for it

• How to treat discontinuities, for example, collisions and fractures

• How to control over physically-based assignments artistically

• Simulation of solids and liquids

Also Read: Animations by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi via Swayam

2. Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya

One of the longest 3d animation and VFX online courses from the Udemy platform. Rated as one of the highest bought 3D animation graphic design courses online. This course promises to make you an expert at adding light, structure, texture, and other features like smoke and steam effects for a real-looking production. Taught by Lucas Riley, the 3D animation online class will teach you everything you need to get started with using the AutoDesk Maya 3D animation software.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 8,640

Duration: 26.5 hours

Topics covered

• Autodesk Maya to model, texture, rig, animate, dynamics, light, and render

• Build and design your own 3D objects

• Animate your 3D objects with keyframes

• Modeling, shading, texturing, lighting beautiful designs

• Rendering your projects for high-quality playback

• Rigging a 3D character for animation

• Simulating dynamic effects like water, cloth, and smoke

• How to put together an entire 3D animated scene

3. Basic 3D Animation using Blender by IIT Bombay via Edx

This is one of the best 3D animation courses online for beginners created by one of the best institutes in India, IIT Bombay. Offered in the Edx platform, this course gives you hands-on practice with Blender as well as teaches you the fundamentals of 3D animation (key-framing, animation principles, etc.) It is to be noted that the course focuses on animation skill development for non-organic objects.

Platform: IIT Bombay via Edx

Cost: Rs. 3638 (free for auditing)

Duration: 4 weeks

Topics covered

• Timing and motion for creating 3D animation

• Fundamentals and application of Blender

• 3D visualization concepts

• Animation principles for realistic timing in 3D animations

4. Learn 3D Animation - The Ultimate Blender Guide

This course covers 3D animation basics. Students learn to navigate their objects and add a variety of animated effects. This is one of the best online 3d animation courses that offer high-quality video and audio.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 8,640

Duration: 26.5 hours

Topics covered

• Getting Started With Blender

• The Intermediates of Blender (Ball Animation)

• Modeling: Modeling a sword and more

• Sculpting and simulations in Blender

• Full Animation Project

5. Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice by Duke University, Durham via Coursera

One of the top 3D animation courses online, this course is offered on the Coursera platform, this is a great start for those who want to combine animation with programming. With Alice, the programming environment, you use programming methods to create some wonderful animations. You will get hands-on experience with different projects and assignments. Created by the prestigious Duke University, certification will also strengthen your portfolio.

Platform: Duke University, Durham via Coursera

Cost: Rs. 2159 (free for auditing)

Duration: 8 weeks

Topics covered

• Alice’s 3D objects 3D animated storytelling

• Setting up a scene, use storyboarding to tell a story, moving the camera, rotate and move objects

• Programming concepts: repetition, grouping similar objects, writing codes

• Build 3D games

• Move the objects

• How to produce a 3D animated movie

• Implement a storyboard

• Hop

• Induce color and opacity in objects

• How to create your characters

• How to build an adventure game

View more: Programme in Print, Web and 3D Animation

6. The 2021 Blender Primer: 3D Modeling, Animation & Rendering

Enjoy and learn at the same time one of the most popular Blender 3D courses on Udemy. This is an English version of the successful Blender 3D courses in Spanish. You get an in-depth understanding of Blender primer and its applications. And the best thing is that you can take it as an absolute beginner!

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 8,320

Duration: 18.5 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction

• A Quick Message About The new Blender 2.9 / Update on Blender Network

• Blender Basics

• 3D Modeling Fundamentals

• 3D Modeling Exercise

• 3D Animation Fundamentals

• 3D Animation Exercises

• 3D Animation - Physics Simulation

• Introduction to Rigging and Armatures

• 3D Rendering, Lighting, Textures, UV Mapping and Materials

• 3D Rendering Exercise

• Extra Training

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7. Maya for Beginners: Complete 3D Animation Fundamentals

Being a favorite of over 3,000 students, this series of 3D animation tutorials for beginners is the best option for beginners. You will be able to create customized gifs and animated messages at the end of the course.

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 6,400

• Duration: 10.5 hours

Topics covered

• Maya tools for animators

• Why is the bouncing ball absolute fundamental to master

• Animate a bouncing ball with different weight

• Animate weight shift

• Animate a weight being lifted

• Complete fundamentals of animation

• Game industry-standard animations such as idles, walks, and runs

• How to create a showreel applying for jobs in the games industry

Also Read: Program in Graphic, Web and 2D Animation by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

8. Ultimate Blender 3D Character Creation & Animation Course

With one of the longer 3D animation courses online from the Udemy platform, where you will get to learn these 3D animation classes, students will learn to create objects, characters, and scenes how from start to finish without any assistance whatsoever. You can create apps like ‘Talking Tom’ too!

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 8,640

• Duration: 32 hours

Topics covered

• Getting Started With Blender

• First Character Animation Cube Boy

• Second Character Animation Caterpillar

• Third Character Animation Wooden Mannequin

• Fourth Character Animation Human Character

• Fifth Character Animation Alien Talking

9. 3D ANIMATION - 0 to PRO: Create Credible & Unique Animations

This is one of the best 3d animation and VFX online courses offered in the Udemy platform for beginners where you can learn the basic principles of animation, and you will learn step by step everything you need to know to make credible and entertaining animations. It will also provide exercises and demonstrations, which can make these concepts ingrained within you.

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 16,00

• Duration: 8.5 hours

Topics covered

• The principles of 3D Animation

• How to make physically credible animations (Body Mechanics + Advanced body mechanics)

• How to animate different body parts correctly

• How to record good and original references, and how to get into the skin of your character

• The 5 stages to create a professional animation (Reference / Blocking / Blocking + / Splines / Polishing)

• How to make your characters think for themselves, have a unique personality, and look life-like

• Technical guides on how to animate in Blender

Read also: 22+ Online Course to Become a Professional Animation Artist

10. Turn a 2d photo into a 3d animation with After Effects!

If you're an artist who loves to create two-dimensional animations and is looking to learn the best online 3d animation courses, then look no further. Your search ends here! This is one of the unique 3D animation courses online that cater to the needs of 2D creators.

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 1,600

• Duration: 2 hours

Topics covered

• The structure of the course

• The basics of Adobe Photoshop

• Prepare the image file for After Effects

• The basics of After Effects

• Animating - 2D to 3D

• Make your animation cooler - modeling slow motion

• Import your animations in one video project

Also Read: DGA - Program in Graphics & Animation by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics

11. 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya

These are the most beginner-friendly 3D animation classes for learning Maya. This course can teach you all the basic geometrical functions needed to build three-dimensional animated objects in under 2 hours.

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 3,520

• Duration: 11 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction

• Modeling Pt

• Materials & Texturing Basics

• Basic Animation

• Rendering

• Character Modeling

• Stinkfly Character

• Intro to Froggy

• Big Chungus

• Shrek

12. Intro to Maya 3D Animation for Beginners

Learn the foundations of Maya 3D animation from one of the best 3D animation courses online offered on the Udemy platform. All the basic features and tools used in Maya are explained with hands-on exercises at the end of each session.

• Platform: Udemy

• Cost: Rs. 8,640

• Duration: 16.5 hours

Topics covered

• Modeling

• Texturing

• UV Mapping

• Animation

• Dynamics

• Rigging

• Rendering

• Lighting

• Materials

Check also: Arena Animation Courses & Certifications

13. 3D Animation Film-Making with Plotagon Certification

If you have no idea about creating 3D animations and are looking to learn 3d animation online, then you are in the right place because this is one of the best 3d animation and VFX online courses. By using Plotagon and other screencasting software, you’ll have a better understanding of the basics.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 1,280

Duration: 42 minutes

Topics covered

• What is Plotagon?

• Animation Dashboard and Creating 3D characters

• Creating a 3D short film with Plotagon in 10 minutes.

• How to work on stand-alone characters on Plotagon?

• Special tools: Screencasting & Facial Mocap for 2021

Also read: 17 Courses on Maya 3D to Excel in Animation Career

14. 3D Animation Using Unity Timeline

Are you inspired by Avatar? This is the safest choice to learn 3D animation online. In under 20 lectures, you’ll animate like an expert and learn how to safely create backups. Pursuing this course will help you create amazing animations in 3D using Unity’s Engine & learn to import assets, build pleasing characters & create your scenes for a 3D animation video film.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 8,640

Duration: 8.5 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction

• Installing Unity

• Creating a 3D backdrop for your scene

• Adding Characters

• Cameras and Post Processing

• Animation Blocking In

• Final Animation

• Saving the Video File

• Error Fixes

15. Facial Animation & More In Unreal Engine 4! |3D Animation

The fundamental thing noticed in an animated character is the preciseness in facial details. This compilation of 3D animation and VFX courses brings you the cheat sheet of facial features and chooses them based on face shapes and other factors.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 8,640

Duration: 4 hours

Topics covered

• High-quality facial animations

• Export morph targets (expressions) out of DAZ Studio and bring them into Unreal Engine 4

• Create high-quality blink animations, the basis for realistic characters

• Animate side-to-side and up & down eye movements, mouth movements, and expressions

• Animate head movements with the little known animation tools within Unreal Engine 4

Also Read: Character Setup and Animation by Unity Technologies via Coursera

16. 3D Animation : Walk and Run Cycles

Walking and running are standard motions used in every video game. This series of 3D animation tutorials for beginners focuses on the different techniques and angles of creating and capturing these essential motions.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 2,240

Duration: 1.5 hours

Topics covered

• Introduction

• Tools of the trade

• Walk cycle

• Run cycle

17. 3D Animation for Architecture 3ds max + Vray (phase 1, 2 and 3)

This is one of the best online 3d animation courses in Udemy in terms of compact size. Packed with valuable content, this is a compilation of 3D animation tutorials for beginners with step-by-step instructions to perform the functions. Customizing a keyboard as per individual preference goes a long way in providing convenience in filmmaking. This 3D animation tutorial ensures the same.

Platform: Udemy

Cost: Rs. 7,040

Duration: 2 hours

Topics covered

• Architectural animation techniques that can only be taught in animation firms

• Making deals with clients and how to calculate pricing and timing

• Designing storyboard movies

• Where to focus your cameras

• Basics of animation in 3ds max .(timeline ,keyframing ,curve editor..etc)

• Camera movements used by professional directors

• Fast previews before rendering

• Adobe after effects

Read also: Career as Multimedia Animator

Conclusion

"Practice makes a man perfect." 3D animation classes may sound daunting, but once you get an idea of the overview and interface, it'll be your cup of tea. The number of opportunities for a 3D animation expert in 2020 is endless. Several industries need 3D animators. It is of utmost importance, to begin with, basic animation and advance as you get more and more experience. So taking some of these 3D animation certification courses can go a long way in terms of your career.

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