What is 3D Animation?
3D animation is the next evolutionary step after 2D animation, using software to generate characters, environments, props, and sets in a virtual, three-dimensional space. Both 2D and 3D character animation focus on the fundamental principles of animation. Rather than drawing characters by hand, however, 3D animators use digital characters to act out and create captivating performances.
Animation Mentor is the original online animation school, created by animators from Pixar Animation Studios and Industrial Light & Magic. We’re the premiere learning platform for 3D animation and offer one of the most comprehensive character animation courses on the planet. We’d love to teach you the skills you need to become a professional animator and join our global community of alumni in the animation industry.
Most Comprehensive 3D Animation Courses
Our Core Character Animation Courses offer a layered curriculum that teaches students everything from animation principles to advanced character performance. We also offer supplemental animation workshops to enhance your skills.
Core Character Animation Courses
Animation Basics
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Start Your Animation Journey
Master basic animation techniques and learn to bring characters to life in our Animation Basics course. You’ll give your characters weight, make them walk with personality, and learn how to express emotion through movement. All of these exercises will be performed using our professional rigs.
Body Mechanics
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Animate Realistic Character Movement
Learn how to animate bipedal characters in our Body Mechanics course. Understand how the anatomy of your characters affects their physical movement, and use proper timing and spacing to make that movement believable. You’ll use these skills to create a polished, full body walk.
Advanced Body Mechanics
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Design Exciting Action Sequences
In the Advanced Body Mechanics course you will learn to use camera angles and composition to share your story with an audience. You’ll edit multiple shots into a cohesive narrative and build on your knowledge of body mechanics to make your characters run, jump, and climb.
Introduction to Acting
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Create Standout Performances
Introduction to Acting will teach you to animate unique dialogue shots, helping you craft characters that are iconic and relatable. Learn how to convey real emotion through facial expressions and develop your character acting skills by adding believable lip sync.
Advanced Acting
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Build a Masterful 1-on-1 Dialogue Sequence
Now that your characters can walk, talk, and react to their environment, it's time to learn how to make them interact with each other. In Advanced Acting, you’ll craft believable, multi-character moments and learn to animate scenes that form a cohesive story.
Feature Animation Acting & Polish
12-Week Course
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Develop Pro-Level Shots for Your Demo Reel
Congratulations! You’ve acquired all the knowledge you need to become an animator and now it's time to put it all together. In Feature Animation Acting & Polish, you’ll take your skills to the professional level by animating feature-quality shots that you can showcase in your demo reel. Your mentor will also share best practices for creating your portfolio and advice on how to get hired for your dream job in the industry.
Supplemental 3D Animation Workshops
Animation Mentor offers supplemental 3D animation workshops to expand your Animator’s Toolkit and help you prepare for a career in the industry. Master the animation industry’s preferred tool, translate scripts to the screen, and push your poses to new heights!
Maya Workshop:
Animation Basics
6-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 6 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of May 6, 2024
PRICE | $699 USD
Master the Industry's Preferred Software
This workshop is perfect for new and aspiring animators. In six weeks, you'll get an overview of Autodesk Maya, the animation industry's preferred software, and get ready for Animation Mentor's Core Character Animation Courses. Get comfortable with Maya now, instead of wasting valuable animation time troubleshooting in later classes. We also recommend this workshop to students who are considering a career in character animation. This is a fun and easy way to get a feel for it! If you're ready to start, register now.
Previsualization Basics for Animators
6-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 6 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $899 USD
Bring the Director's Vision to Life
Intermediate Animators, add to your animation skill set by learning the basics of previs animation. Previs animators help directors realize their vision, bringing the script to life on screen before principle filming starts. Learn previs and fill a studio's need for this highly sought-after position in TV and film. Register now for this workshop.
Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators
6-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 6 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of May 6, 2024
PRICE | $899 USD
Push Your Animation Like the Pros
Grow your skills with the help of an industry veteran and learn to create animation in the style of classic cartoons like Looney Tunes. Study the masters and then take your animation from 2D planning to polished 3D fun! Register now.
Creature Animation Workshops
Animation Mentor’s Creature Animation Workshops are designed by animators from Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, and Tippett Studios and include elite instruction from professionals working in the industry.
Creature Animation: Locomotion
12-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Learn how quadrupeds walk, run, and move, before animating an exciting shot with our creature rigs. Taught by industry VFX animators from ILM and Framestore. Register Now.
Creature Animation: Fight or Flight
12-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 12 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of June 24, 2024
PRICE | $2,499 USD
Level up with new characters like dragons and mechs, and learn how to animate flight and fight sequences. Taught by industry VFX animators from ILM and DreamWorks. Register Now.
Game Animation Workshops
Animation Mentor offers a unique take on game animation by integrating workflows from Maya to Unreal Engine, allowing you to animate and then play your character in real-time. Advanced animators with solid body mechanics experience can jump straight into game animation.
Game Animation: Fundamentals
6-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 6 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | Week of May 6, 2024
PRICE | $899
Learn basic game animation workflow techniques with State of Decay Animation Director Reid Johnson. Register now to take Reid's workshop.
Game Animation: Combat Attacks
6-Week Workshop
LIVE Q&As | 6 Weekly 1-hour Q&As
START DATE | To Be Announced
PRICE | $899
Learn to animate combat attacks from Maya to Unreal Engine 4 with pro game animators! Click the link below to discover when the next workshop will be offered.