7 Best Sites to Learn 3D Animation

Learning the tricks of the trade in 3D animation doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. All of these programs will take time and energy to learn and the tutorials will teach you specific steps to go from beginner to pro. Awesome CG effects are just a few videos away.

1. Tutorialized:

This is a general tutorial site, offering information about 3DS Max, Blender, Maya and Cinema 4D. There are over 1900 tutorials for 3DS Max, 450+ tutorials for Maya, and even 100+ guides on using Blender. This is a great resource which covers such useful topics as Blender 3D Tutorial: The Basics and 3D Max Vertex Welding.

2. CG Tuts:

Learn about Blender, After Effects, Mental Ray, Zbrush, Maya and more at CG Tuts. The site is categorized into tutorials, articles, tips and freebies. This site has a premium side where high quality instructional videos are available for $9 a month as well as a free side. You can learn about topics like An Introduction to Fluid Simulations in Blender and GI Rendering Techniques in 3DS Max.

3. 3D Tutorial Zone:

Although mostly text, the information on this site is laid out clearly enough so that you can find what you want. A distinguishing factor of this site is its search feature which allows you to use a keyword or sort out the tutorials by program. Reflections in Maya is a step by step guide on how to create reflections in Maya. Many of the tutorials are in a text format which is lighter on a computer’s processing speed.

4. 3D Total:

This site really shines with its 3D Studio Max tutorials. They are broken up into convenient categories like beginners, modeling and rigging, lighting effects, texturing and complete projects. There are other programs covered on the site, including Maya, Softimage and Photoshop. You can learn the intricacies of making bullets or grass, discreet balloons or reflections on this great site.

5. 3D Tutorial:

Features tutorials for 3D Studio Max, Bryce, Cinema 4D and Maya. The menus are broken down into specific effects like animation, modeling, lighting, effects, rendering and materials. Some videos include Intro to Pelt Mapping a Head for Texturing and Blowing Up a Building. There is a fair mix of video tutorials and text guides here.

6. Free 3D Tutorials

Here you can learn how to create candle’s flicker with Fryrender. You can also learn the art of Long Hair Speed Sculpting. The categories on this site run the gamut from Photoshop to Modo to Maya.

7.CG Arena:

Browse a collection of free guides on 3DS Max, Maya, After Effects, Mudbox and Softimage. You can learn how to model fast cars and how to make an alien here. Using both text and video, the tutorials are focused on the creation of specific items.

[Image credit: billerr ]