Frequently Asked Questions - 3D Computer Animation

• What is 3D computer animation?... Computer animation is like virtual puppetry, or virtual stop-motion animation. Like traditional animation, computer animation requires a large team of artists, working together, to create the final image. 3D animation uses digital artists to: build characters, rig characters, animate characters, build sets, surface the characters and sets, light sets, layout shots (set up & animate the camera), render the shots, filter and composite the shots together.
• What types of jobs are there in 3D computer animation?... There are a wide variety of industries that use 3D computer animation. Feature Film, Visual Effects, Game Development, Educational Software, Commercial Broadcast, Commercial Illustration, Web Development, Architectural Rendering, Medical Illustration, Legal & Forensic Animation, Military Applications, Corporate & Kiosk Presentation. However, around 90% of the computer animation jobs in Austin are in the Game Development industry. You can find job descriptions on the International Game Development Association (IGDA) website. -- http://www.igda.org/breakingin/path_art.htm
• Where can I find information about Austin's Game Development community?... On the Austin chapter of the IGDA website -- http://www.igda.org/austin
• How much money can you make in an entry level position in 3D computer animation?... This depends on the job requirements, where you live and the cost of living in that city. Jobs that require more than one degree (art and programming) pay more, because the cost of the eductaion is more. There are also fewer people pursuing this, and therefore fewer qualified workers out there ready to fill those jobs. The International Game Development Association (IGDA) website posts average salary ranges for a range of jobs found in the Visual Arts career path of Game Development-- http://www.igda.org/breakingin/path_art.htm
• What do I need to get a job in 3D computer animation?... Three things -- working knowledge of industry tools/techniques, strong understanding of visual & motion aesthetics, and networking. A strong portfolio will showcase the first two. Students can build their networking ties by going to industry events and making personal connections with industry professionals. ACC's computer animation program gives students the tools to gain all of these, including the tools for networking, but its up to students to do the work.
• What types of jobs will I be ready for with a 3D computer animation degree or certificate from VisCom?... Our program specializes in preparing students for entry level computer animation positions in the entertainment industry. We offer 3 specialized degrees, each focusing on a different career path: 3D Animation, 3D Modeling (students pick if they want to focus on character or environment modeling), and Game Art. All target preparing students for entry level positions in an animation or game development studios here in Austin. Additional training or job experience may be required to pursue a career in larger cities (Los Angels, San Francisco, Seattle, New York), but our program can give students the skills needed to get into training programs in those cities where they can stregthen their skills and build networking ties to those industries.
• What kind of degrees & certifications are offered in 3D Computer Animation?... We offer 2 year Associates of Applied Science, as well as Advanced Certificates, in 3D Modeling, 3D Animation, and Game Art. These degrees can be found on ACC's website, or VisCom's website.
• Where can I find a list of all 3D course descriptions?... ACC's course catalog, VisCom's website and the main page of my website.
• Is there value in getting a four year degree, over a 2 year Associates?... Studios will judge you by your portfolio and your ability to communicate on a team. If you need the additional support of a 4 year degree to build your visual language aesthetic and social skills, you may want to do this with a film, studio art, or liberal arts degree. Some studios will only consider hiring an Art Director or Lead position if they have a four year degree, but this is rarely an issue when entering into an entry level position. Ultimately you will need to make the decision on your own.
• Can I transfer my 3D Computer Animation credits to a 4 year college?... Our program is a Workforce Education program, which means another university or four year college may not accept the 3D courses as transfer credits. You will need to check with the college in question.
• What teaching credentials do your instructors have?... Our department is under ACC's Workforce Education. All our instructors have applicable degrees and are working, or have worked, in the Game Development or Film industries, and deemed qualified according to the rules covered in SACS.
• How quickly can I get through the program?... The degrees are designed to get students through our program as quickly as possible -- 2 years (or 6 semesters)... fall-spring-summer, fall-spring-summer. The curriculum is set up in a pyramid of prerequisites that build on the lower level skills and guide students towards creating a "job winning" portfolio. If students take the courses out of order, it will take them longer to complete their degree or certificate. To see a list of courses and prerequisites laid out to show the critical path, visit the Prerequisite Chart section of this site.
• How many hours of homework outside of class are required?...It depends on several things, and each student is different.
  
  1. how quickly they pick up the tools & techniques
  2. how quickly they pick up the aesthetics & visual language
  3. how fast they work
     
  4. how far they want to push the assignment
  • On average, we tell students that just coming to class and doing the bare minimum of what the instructor is asking will earn them a "C".
  • In the industry, 3D artists work about 60-80 hour weeks. Students should be working the same amount to get used to what will be demanded of them on the job.  For a student taking 4 classes (each approximately 3 hours, twice a week -- or 24 hours per week of in-class time), they should be spending an additional 4.5 hours per class, or 9 hours per course -- that's 36 additional hours per week. If they have a full-time job (40hr/wk), the 24 hours of school on top of the 40hr work week should give them a sense of what it feels like to work in industry. Of course, if they are a part-time student working at a job when not in class, they will be behind the students who are spending their 60 hours per week working on 3D skills. 
  • However, just spending TIME on these skills won't make you a better artist. The goal is to grow, master the skills, and get faster. Just spending TIME won't help. If you are spending a bunch of time on something, but not mastering the skills, you are just spinning your wheels and not going anywhere. You need to memorize and use the keyboard shortcuts, learn and start using the industry aesthitics, tools & techniques, get critical feedback on your work from friends, students, teachers, & industry professionals... and then impliment that feedback.
• What if I have the prerequisite skills required for a 3D course, but no college credit?... You can "challenge" a course for college credit if you think you have the skills. To successfully challenge a course, you will be tested on your knowledge and must pass with a "B" or higher. Instructions for challenging a course can be found here -- http://www.austincc.edu/sfarr/challenge.html
• How many courses in the degree can I challenge?...40% of the coursework in your degree has to be taken at ACC.
• The course I want to take has already filled up. What can I do now?... Unfortunately courses are filled on a first come first serve basis, and students with more ACC credits are allowed to register first. Additionally, this program is in high demand, yet it is very difficult to find qualified instructors to teach the classes. The first thing you should do if this happens to you is put your name on the waiting list (in the VisCom office). We can't open an additional section until we know we have enough students to fill it. Also, when a seat opens up, we will go down the list and notify students. Second, check the online course listing after the day students get dropped for non-payment to see if any seats open up.
  
• What kind of 3D software do you use?... We work with Autodesk's 3D Studio Max and Pixologic ZBrush for modelers, and Autodesk's Maya for animation. All are industry standard software packages. However, in addition to teaching the 3DS interface, the tools and techniques we teach are "non-platform specific" meaning that they are common to all 3D programs, and can be used in any 3D software package.
• Is it helpful to know more than one 3D software package?... Yes. Ideally you will have some working knowledge of the software used by the studio you want to work for. You can usually find a list of job requirements on the studio's website under the job posting section of their website. Autodesk's Maya is another commonly used industry standard software package -- and it DOES run on Macintosh machines. Pixologic's ZBrush or Autodesk's Mudbox are other 3D (supplemental) industry standard software packages that are good to know.
• What are the hardware requirements for 3D Studio Max?... Autodesk lists the current hardware requirements on their website. Always go by the "recommended" specifications (or higher), rather than just the "required" amount.
• Can I run 3D Studio Max on my Apple computer?... Unfortunately, not right now. 3D STUDIO MAX ONLY RUNS ON WINDOWS, so you will need a computer that can run that Operating System. The Intel Macs may be able to do this, but you may have some issues. Check with the Apple and Autodesk websites for more information.
• How can I get an educational discounted version of the software/hardware?... There are many academic software companies on the internet. Two of the more popular ones include JourneyEd.com and AcademicSuperstore.com. Dell Computers also offers an educational discount. To purchase software or hardware with the academic discount, you will need to be a current student and give the company your student ID.
• Didn't find your question?... If you have additional questions, please email me -- Sara Farr <sfarr@austincc.edu>