Software Programs
Adobe Substance Painter
Adobe Substance Painter is a collection of apps that includes Painter, Designer, Sampler, and Stager. With these apps, you can paint and texture 3D models, create patterns and materials, and build realistic 3D scenes
Houdini
Houdini is a software program that makes it possible for you to create 3D animations and visual effects (VFX). Without writing any code, you can make immersive worlds, powerful motion graphics, and cinematic experiences.
Maya
Used by top feature film animation studios like Blue Sky Studios, Maya is a 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software. With Maya, you can create realistic visual effects—from simulated clothing to explosions.
Nuke
Nuke is a visual effects software program that people use to composite images, build models, and more. Its powerful, cutting-edge toolset makes it possible for teams to collaborate easily, side-by-side, or around the globe. Leading studios have used Nuke to create visual effects for popular films and television shows such as Game of Thrones and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a computer application. Its large selection of brushes and tools helps artists create digital drawings, paintings, and 3D objects. Game artists must know Photoshop.
Unreal Engine
Developed by the video game company Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a popular digital software program that creators use to build video games. It can create various virtual reality (VR), 2D, and 3D game styles and allow for development across multiple platforms—from computers to consoles.
ZBrush
ZBrush is a digital 3D sculpting tool that mimics traditional sculpting techniques in a digital environment. With its award-winning technology, you can use customizable brushes to shape, texture, and paint virtual clay in real-time.
Other programs
Many of our classes teach the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Adobe Animate, After Effects, Premiere, Audition. We also teach Toon Boon Storyboard Pro and are continually adding new proficiencies.
3D Creation Techniques
Box Modeling
Box modeling is a popular beginner’s technique when creating 3D objects. With box modeling, you start with a basic shape, like a cube, sphere, or cylinder. You then add to it or modify it until you reach the form you want.
Hard Surface Modeling
Hard surface modeling is the creation of 3D inorganic, geometric objects with smooth surfaces. This method is popular in sci-fi and shooter games to make weapons, robots, machines, and buildings.
NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines)
NURBS stands for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines. NURBS use complex mathematical equations to calculate the surface of a 3D model. Used mainly in engineering where high accuracy is necessary, modern 3D modeling software programs, like Maya, use NURBS to create models.
Organic Modeling
Organic modeling is the creation of 3D living creatures like people, animals, and plants. Organic modeling requires lots of practice and study to make your subjects as realistic as possible.
UV Mapping
UV Mapping is the process of digitally projecting a 2D image onto the surface of a 3D model. (Think of folding a paper cube.) Artists use this technique to give 3D models patterns and textures.
Sound Editing or Music Creation
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are software applications specifically used to record, edit, and produce audio.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
Musical Instrument Digital Interfaces (MIDI) is a communication protocol that enables musicians to “play” virtual instruments. When you “play” a virtual instrument (like a keyboard connected to your computer or a simulated synthesizer), that digital device sends data to your computer. This data, MIDI messages, is a language that lets your computer know how you want to create a sound, for example, what note you played and how long you played it.
Foley Recording
Foley sound production is associated with recording live sounds using a variety of props and materials to create new sound effects. Traditionally done in real-time in synchronization to a projected film, the term comes from the name of Jack Foley who pioneered methods for performing sounds live in synchrony with a film in the early days of film production when sound was incorporated into movies.
Synthesis and Sampling
Synthesized sounds are generated using electronic and digital tools which can be physical instruments or virtual software-based instruments. Sampling involves digital recordings of sounds that can then be used to create virtual instruments for music production or sound-effects.
Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR)
Automated Dialog Replacement, also known as looping, is the process of re-recording the original dialogue of an actor. This process mostly happens in the post-production phase of filmmaking when the original audio of a scene has undesired background noise, or there is a change to the script.
Reaper
Like Ableton Live, Reaper is a full Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) used for in-studio recording and editing, music production and audio post-production. It is easy software to use because you can edit your recordings to fix mistakes.
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) popular among music producers and DJs. It comes with a variety of effects, instruments, and sounds so that you can create any kind of music.