3D model salary: 3D Modeler Salary in 2022
3D Modeler Salary in 2022
Last Updated on August 28, 2022
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3D modeler earns an average of $31.56 per hour, monthly salary start from $2,798 and go up to $8,829. The average annual salary is $65,640 and can go up to $105,945.
Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
---|---|---|---|
$31.56 | $1,262 | $5,470 | $65,640 |
Salary Range
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly | $16.14 | $21.11 | $28.93 | $39.65 | $50.94 |
Weekly | $646 | $844 | $1,157 | $1,586 | $2,037 |
Monthly | $2,798 | $3,659 | $5,014 | $6,872 | $8,829 |
Annual | $33,581 | $43,908 | $60,174 | $82,464 | $105,945 |
Historical and Future Estimates
Year | Junior | Intermediate | Senior |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | $36,177 | $64,188 | $106,476 |
2022 | $35,642 | $63,365 | $106,370 |
2021 | $35,115 | $62,551 | $106,263 |
2020 | $34,596 | $61,749 | $106,157 |
2019 | $34,085 | $60,956 | $106,051 |
2018 | $33,581 | $60,174 | $105,945 |
2017 | $33,085 | $59,402 | $105,839 |
2016 | $32,596 | $58,639 | $105,734 |
Salary by State
State | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $30. 58 | $5,301 | $63,607 |
Arizona | $24.63 | $4,270 | $51,237 |
Arkansas | $16.54 | $2,868 | $34,413 |
California | $37.36 | $6,476 | $77,707 |
Colorado | $28.84 | $5,000 | $59,994 |
Delaware | N/A | N/A | N/A |
District of Columbia | $31.43 | $5,449 | $65,385 |
Florida | $24.37 | $4,225 | $50,698 |
Georgia | $25.45 | $4,411 | $52,930 |
Hawaii | $25.67 | $4,449 | $53,384 |
Idaho | $31.58 | $5,473 | $65,678 |
Illinois | $31.29 | $5,424 | $65,092 |
Indiana | $20.90 | $3,623 | $43,473 |
Iowa | $26.18 | $4,539 | $54,462 |
Kansas | $21. 69 | $3,760 | $45,119 |
Kentucky | $25.62 | $4,440 | $53,280 |
Louisiana | $27.50 | $4,767 | $57,204 |
Maryland | $29.91 | $5,185 | $62,217 |
Massachusetts | $33.40 | $5,790 | $69,479 |
Michigan | $23.07 | $3,999 | $47,984 |
Minnesota | $27.61 | $4,785 | $57,422 |
Mississippi | $17.91 | $3,104 | $37,251 |
Missouri | $26.79 | $4,644 | $55,729 |
Nebraska | $17.67 | $3,063 | $36,759 |
Nevada | $26.59 | $4,609 | $55,304 |
New Hampshire | $28.53 | $4,945 | $59,342 |
New Jersey | $29.14 | $5,052 | $60,618 |
New Mexico | $28.13 | $4,877 | $58,519 |
New York | $32. 13 | $5,569 | $66,822 |
North Carolina | $27.64 | $4,791 | $57,498 |
Ohio | $25.52 | $4,423 | $53,072 |
Oklahoma | $19.47 | $3,375 | $40,504 |
Oregon | $28.73 | $4,980 | $59,758 |
Pennsylvania | $26.96 | $4,672 | $56,070 |
Rhode Island | $25.82 | $4,476 | $53,715 |
South Carolina | $23.03 | $3,992 | $47,908 |
South Dakota | $17.27 | $2,993 | $35,917 |
Tennessee | $23.21 | $4,023 | $48,277 |
Texas | $25.91 | $4,491 | $53,895 |
Utah | $24.51 | $4,248 | $50,982 |
Virginia | $28.31 | $4,907 | $58,878 |
Washington | $34.44 | $5,969 | $71,626 |
Wisconsin | $20. 91 | $3,624 | $43,483 |
Categories 3D Modeling
What is A 3D Modeler?
3D modelers are artists. They work in film and video production studios, game design organizations, graphic and advertising firms, web design firms, software companies, architecture firms, college and universities, product design firms, or manufacturing firms. They may even work in aerospace or for auto companies, retail firms, crime labs, or interior design firms. Essentially, there is no limit to where they can work.
3D modelers must have high computer and math skills. They may also need to be familiar with film or gaming, have creative and design skills, and a strong background in the field where they choose to work. A 3D modeler works as part of a larger design team. They are considered a multimedia artist and animator. Their salary ranges from $79,000 to $124,000.
What Does a 3D Modeler Do
There are certain skills that many 3d modelers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed communication skills, computer skills and time-management skills.
Learn more about what a 3D Modeler does
How To Become a 3D Modeler
If you’re interested in becoming a 3d modeler, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 66.7% of 3d modelers have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 6.7% of 3d modelers have master’s degrees. Even though most 3d modelers have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Learn More About How To Become a 3D Modeler
Top 3D Modeler Jobs Near You
3D Modeler Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you’ve taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a 3d modeler can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as 3d artist, progress to a title such as lead artist and then eventually end up with the title design director.
3D Modeler
3D ArtistLead ArtistArt Director
Design Director
7 Years
3D ArtistSenior ArtistArt Director
Creative Director & Designer
5 Years
ArtistManager
Owner
7 Years
ArtistManagerOwner
Creative Director
5 Years
ArtistOwnerArt Director
Freelance Art Director
6 Years
3D Artist
Senior Artist
5 Years
Show More
Top Careers Before 3D Modeler
3D Artist(3,978 Jobs)
18.7 %
Internship(51,064 Jobs)
10.0 %
Graphic Designer(45,625 Jobs)
Top Careers After 3D Modeler
3D Artist(3,978 Jobs)
22.4 %
Graphic Designer(45,625 Jobs)
10.9 %
Artist(3,870 Jobs)
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3D Modelers in America make an average salary of $75,946 per year or $37 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $114,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $50,000 per year.
Average 3D Modeler Salary
$75,946 Yearly
$36.51 hourly
$50,000
10 %
$75,000
Median
$114,000
90 %
See More Salary Information
What Am I Worth?
How To Become a 3D Modeler Career Overview
States With The Most 3D Modeler Jobs
Mouse over a state to see the number of active 3d modeler jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where 3d modelers earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Average Salary: Job Openings:
Number Of 3D Modeler Jobs By State
Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
---|---|---|---|
1 | California | 977 | $104,693 |
2 | New York | 448 | $93,984 |
3 | Texas | 415 | $56,987 |
4 | Florida | 241 | $56,191 |
5 | Washington | 220 | $98,459 |
6 | Georgia | 220 | $51,078 |
7 | Illinois | 205 | $82,276 |
8 | Massachusetts | 200 | $54,169 |
9 | Virginia | 192 | $77,053 |
10 | Pennsylvania | 181 | $78,403 |
11 | North Carolina | 169 | $78,075 |
12 | Maryland | 143 | $94,576 |
13 | Ohio | 140 | $48,040 |
14 | Wisconsin | 135 | $66,014 |
15 | Michigan | 129 | $78,636 |
16 | Oregon | 118 | $78,971 |
17 | New Jersey | 103 | $73,972 |
18 | Minnesota | 103 | $55,034 |
19 | Colorado | 102 | $72,024 |
20 | Connecticut | 88 | $113,271 |
21 | Utah | 88 | $67,243 |
22 | Arizona | 81 | $68,563 |
23 | Tennessee | 78 | $67,674 |
24 | Missouri | 76 | $50,631 |
25 | Indiana | 70 | $73,581 |
26 | Alabama | 66 | $49,453 |
27 | Iowa | 65 | $76,210 |
28 | New Hampshire | 55 | $112,744 |
29 | South Carolina | 53 | $41,465 |
30 | Kentucky | 49 | $69,846 |
31 | Kansas | 47 | $73,585 |
32 | Oklahoma | 46 | $56,174 |
33 | Louisiana | 46 | $41,970 |
34 | Nebraska | 40 | $51,301 |
35 | Rhode Island | 34 | $114,040 |
36 | Idaho | 33 | $85,570 |
37 | Arkansas | 33 | $67,338 |
38 | Nevada | 31 | $127,767 |
39 | New Mexico | 29 | $78,135 |
40 | Mississippi | 28 | $48,392 |
41 | Delaware | 26 | $110,817 |
42 | Maine | 26 | $81,095 |
43 | West Virginia | 21 | $75,311 |
44 | South Dakota | 20 | $44,620 |
45 | Hawaii | 19 | $39,479 |
46 | Wyoming | 18 | $55,849 |
47 | Vermont | 17 | $68,661 |
48 | Montana | 15 | $49,116 |
49 | North Dakota | 13 | $72,778 |
50 | Alaska | 13 | $65,051 |
3D Modeler Education
3D Modeler Majors
Animation
22. 1 %
Graphic Design
18.4 %
Computer Science
11.1 %
3D Modeler Degrees
Bachelors
66.7 %
Associate
21.4 %
Masters
Top Colleges for 3D Modelers
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7.
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-State Tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-State Tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we’ve found all of the skills you’ll need so even if you don’t have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 10.1% of 3d modelers listed animation on their resume, but soft skills such as communication skills and computer skills are important as well.
- Animation, 10. 1%
- Adobe Photoshop, 7.4%
- Visualization, 7.2%
- Texture, 5.7%
- UV, 5.3%
- Other Skills, 64.3%
Choose From 10+ Customizable 3D Modeler Resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use 3D Modeler templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your 3D Modeler resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
3D Modeler Demographics
3D Modeler Gender Distribution
Female
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia’s data science team found that:
- Among 3d modelers, 18.6% of them are women, while 81.4% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among 3d modelers is White, which makes up 73.1% of all 3d modelers.
- The most common foreign language among 3d modelers is Spanish at 34.5%.
Work Experience Programs For 3D Modelers
Virtual work experience programs replicate work at top companies and help you gain the skills to be successful when applying and working there. In only a few hours, learn the relevant tools necessary to complete a typical work day at that company. Virtual work experience programs are 100% free, open-access, and self-paced. No experience or application is required!
Shields Up: Cybersecurity Program
Company: AIG
Cost: Free
Duration: 3 hours
See Program Details
Globally Responsible Engineering Program
Company: Engineers Without Borders UK
Cost: Free
Duration: 5-6 hours
See Program Details
Artificial Intelligence Program
Company: Cognizant
Cost: Free
Duration: 3-4 hours
See Program Details
Civil Engineering Program
Company: John Holland Australia
Cost: Free
Duration: 5-6 hours
See Program Details
Software Engineering Program
Company: Standard Bank
Cost: Free
Duration: 4-4.5 hours
See Program Details
Software Engineering Program
Company: Blackbird Australia
Cost: Free
Duration: 5-10 hours
See Program Details
Advanced Software Engineering Program
Company: Walmart India
Cost: Free
Duration: 3. 5-4 hours
See Program Details
Product Design Program
Company: Accenture North America
Cost: Free
Duration: 4 hours
See Program Details
Asset Management Program
Company: JPMorgan Chase
Cost: Free
Duration: 5-6.5 hours
See Program Details
Engineering Program
Company: General Electric
Cost: Free
Duration: 3-4.5 hours
See Program Details
Online Courses For 3D Modeler That You May Like
Advertising Disclosure The courses listed below are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the course, we may receive a commission.
Game Asset Crash Course – 3D Modeling in Blender and 3D-Coat
(431)
Learn 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering with Blender and 3D-Coat by creating AAA ready game assets…
View Details on Udemy
Game Asset Creation With Houdini
(333)
3D Modelling in Houdini…
View Details on Udemy
Model and Texture a Stylized Dungeon for Games
(441)
Learn the skills to create amazing models and textures to build a stylized environment from start to finish!. ..
View Details on Udemy
Show More 3D Modeler Courses
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Becoming a 3D Modeler FAQs
What Are Careers In 3d Modeling?
Video game designers, video game developers, and architects are careers in 3D modeling. Here are some details about these careers and others in 3D modeling:
-
Video game designer: A video game designer is someone involved with all the creative aspects of making a video game. Video game designers work for large and small video game production studios. They are involved in every step of creating a video game, from brainstorming general ideas to creating the plot, characters, and style of gameplay.
Game designers usually use scripting languages that allow them to test concepts within the game design.
-
Video game developer: A video game developer writes the code for a video game. They are solely responsible for coding the game and outlining 3D spaces for the world of a particular video game. Game developers will use different types of coding languages depending on what they need to do, and what platform the game is on.
-
Architect: An architect creates detailed drawings of a three-dimensional building or structure and oversees its construction. An architect designs and directs the building of a home, public or commercial building, or structure by taking both physical and practical space into account, along with a focus on aesthetics.
Keeping track of project details, budget, deadlines, and progress are also part of an architect’s job. Perhaps the most crucial component of an architect’s job is creating the blueprints for the building or structure.
-
Web designer: A web designer is a graphic artist who designs the layout, navigation, and visuals of a website.
A web designer’s tasks all center around the layout and visual elements of a website. They often deal with brand imagery, color palettes, fonts, and other visual aspects.
Many will even create a web design style guide to ensure that each website looks consistent. Web designers may also be involved with the research and testing phases of a website.
Other tasks include meeting with clients, using the coding languages to create individual web pages, and integrating all elements created by any other professionals working on a website.
Web designers can work alone but often will work with large teams that include graphic designers, media creators, web developers, and computer programmers, especially if the web project is large, and includes specialized elements.
-
Web developer: A web developer works on websites and web applications. Their job focuses on making a website or web application visually appealing and easy to navigate. They also may be responsible for a website’s performance and capacity.
There are three different types of web developers: back-end web developers, front-end web developers, and full-stack web developers.
A web developer’s main concern is to build and maintain the core structure of a website. They have tasks that deal with more technical work, including coding and utilizing advanced program languages. They are also tasked with configuring the server, and databases on the back end, as well as instilling user features and functionality.
-
Graphic designer: A graphic designer is a professional who creates visual concepts to communicate information for websites and other media. They may work on projects that incorporate aspects of 3D modeling.
Graphic designers are visual communicators who create concepts by hand or by using specialized graphic design software. Concepts created by hand are then digitized and applied to a website.
They communicate ideas to inspire, inform, or captivate consumers through both physical and virtual art forms. This includes pictures, words, or graphics.
They collaborate with department heads, clients, customers, and other designers, to ensure that their designs accurately reflect the desired message and effectively express the desired information.
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search For 3D Modeler Jobs
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- 3D Modeler
Updated September 9, 2022
where to study, where to work, salary
Updated
3D printing engineer is engaged in technical support, work with equipment, software, creation of 3D models. A specialist needs to have deep knowledge of engineering, programming, and mathematics. The profession is referred to the specialties of the future. By the way, the ProfGid career guidance center has recently developed an accurate career guidance test that will tell you which professions suit you, give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.
The profession is suitable for those who are interested in physics and mathematics (see.
choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).
Content:
- Short description
- Features of the profession
- Plus and minuses
- Plus
- Minuses
- Important personal qualities
- PROMENTION
- Universities
- Universities
- Salary
- 3d printing engineer salary as of November 2022
- Professional knowledge
- Examples of companies with 3d printing engineer vacancies
Brief description
The profession of a 3D printing engineer has appeared quite recently, but its value and social significance cannot be underestimated. With the help of 3D printing, unique products used in medicine and industry are already being created today. Mathematicians and engineers are constantly developing more advanced technologies that make it possible to create blanks, anatomical models, souvenirs, houses, prostheses using this type of printing. And printers used for printing with biomaterials make it possible to create human skin, which has become a breakthrough in the treatment of wounds, injuries, and acceleration of the rehabilitation period.
Read also :
Complete control over 3D printing is carried out by an engineer who is an excellent programmer, technologist, biologist and even a chemist, because the profession forces him to know the composition and properties of different materials well. To work in this area, you must have a technical education, attending IT courses, lectures on modeling will be a plus. A specialist must be able to independently design a 3D model, select the necessary materials, calculate all the risks, and then print, creating products for the field of medicine, aviation, industry, etc.
Occupation specifics
3D printing engineers use different materials for their work, computer programs and industrial 3D printers. Today, medical centers, industrial, aerospace, engineering and other industries need these specialists. There are few specialists, their work cannot be called simple, because the duties of a 3D printing engineer include:
- selection of new materials, testing;
- using modern software to improve and adjust 3D printer settings;
- preparation of layouts, development of raster images for subsequent printing;
- full print control;
- study of new technologies;
- knowledge of certification rules, requirements that are put forward for 3D models and finished products;
- documentation development, software debugging;
- selection of new equipment, training of other employees;
- equipment maintenance.
Responsibilities vary by location, but a 3D Printing Engineer must be a multi-skilled professional who is ready to quickly learn new technologies at any time and then successfully apply them in practice. Employers put forward strict requirements for engineers, because the wages of such specialists are solid. They must have at least 3 years of practical work experience, the obligatory knowledge of a technical foreign language is important. A 3D printing engineer must know the basics of economics and marketing, because his duties include optimizing workflows aimed at reducing the cost and speed of printing.
Read also:
Pluses and minuses
Pluses
- An important profession that will help save millions of lives in the future, improve the environment, and allow the rational use of natural resources.
- 3D printing engineers are unique specialists today.
- Demand in various fields.
- A specialist will have no problems finding a job in megacities.
- The salary is stable and high.
- An experienced engineer will be able to open his own production for the manufacture of souvenirs or other products.
- You can study in Russia by enrolling in a technical university.
- Lack of physical activity.
Cons
- Working sedentary, but not monotonous.
- Irregular working hours, because the creation of a large product can last for more than 5 hours.
- The cost of industrial 3D printers is high, so in order to organize your own production, you need to think about starting capital or finding an investor.
- Any mistakes made by a 3D printing engineer are associated with huge financial losses.
- Difficulties with finding work in small towns and villages.
- Work at the computer leads to a decrease in vision.
Important Personal Qualities
A 3D Printing Engineer has a lot of professional knowledge, so he must be an erudite person with an excellent memory. The character of this rare specialist should contain responsibility, curiosity, and creativity. An engineer is obliged to constantly study, a craving for both the exact sciences and linguistics is welcomed, because most of the instructions, books and technical documentation are still being created mainly in foreign languages.
See also:
3D printing engineer training
Universities
-
140,000 ₽/year
no
budget places -
4 years
220,000 ₽/year
15
budget places -
4 years
48 500 ₽/year
12
budget places -
36 200 ₽/year
25
budget places
See also:
Place of work
3D printing engineers will be able to work in agencies engaged in the production of consumer goods. They are in demand in architectural companies, factories, medical centers and nanolaboratories, clothing design and manufacturing agencies. 3D printing is used in all spheres of our life, so a young university graduate will be able to choose an interesting and useful direction.
Salary
3d printing engineer salary as of November 2022
Salary information provided by hh.ru portal.
Russia 40000—100000₽
Moscow 40000—80000₽
Professional knowledge
- 3D printing technologies (SLA, FDM and others).
- 3D modeling.
- 3D printing materials (PLA, ABS and others).
- Slicers for preparing for 3D printing, working with software (Autodesk 3ds Max, SolidWorks, Autodesk 123D Design and others).
- Knowledge of the specifics of different models of equipment.
- Features of processing printed 3D models.
- English.
Read also:
Examples of companies with engineer vacancies 3D-print
3D modeller: what is the profession, what is the profession, 3D-modification of
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Where and why 3D models are needed
3D modeling is the creation of three-dimensional objects, imagined or real. For example, no one has ever seen the ships from Star Wars live, but their models for new episodes were created using 3D technologies. 3D modeling allows you to visualize an object that exists only in drawings, for example, a copy of a future building or an alien landscape.
A 3D modeler is a specialist who creates digital three-dimensional content using special programs.
Spheres in which 3D modeling is used:
- cinema,
- television (including motion design – creating intros and backgrounds),
- computer games,
- VR (virtual animation,
- reality),
- advertising,
- medicine (creating models of internal organs and artificial limbs),
- industrial design,
- architecture,
- mechanical engineering (including aircraft and rocket science),
- light industry (production of toys).
How a 3D Modeler Works
I work in the entertainment industry and I’m going to talk about it. In cinema, a 3D modeler is always part of a big team. Artists develop a concept – how the world, technology, characters in a movie or game will look like. A special department is engaged in scanning machines, buildings, objects, people. But a scanned copy or an artist’s concept is not yet a 3D model, it needs to be finalized, and then 3D modelers take it. They give three-dimensional objects the look that we see on the screen. The modeler also makes a juvie — it “unrolls” a 3D object in a plane, just like unfolding a cardboard box. Then textures are drawn on this scan, like on a canvas. For example, bark is drawn on a model of a tree, and clothes are painted on a character. This is what texture artists do.
My path to the profession
I studied at a military school in Irkutsk, received an engineering education and was going to work as an aviation engineer. However, in 2001, I saw the film The Lord of the Rings and realized that I wanted to work in the film industry, to create visual effects.
After high school, I worked under a contract, then I left the army and got a job in an advertising production studio. There I mastered video editing and got acquainted with computer graphics. In 2009I got a job as a computer graphics artist in the Continental Hockey League, in the television department.
Then I went to study at the school of computer graphics, at the faculty of visual effects and animation. The school gave me a lot: I got acquainted with different types of visual effects and realized that I like 3D modeling the most. After television, I worked at the Da animation studio, and then moved to Animaccord, where I participated in the creation of Masha and the Bear.
In 2018, I became a modeler at the CGF studio, which makes computer graphics for films. So a few years later my dream to work in the film industry came true. In addition to work, I teach at the Animation Club: I give lectures, check homework, answer questions.
Where to study to become a 3D modeler
No one asks for a degree in film, gaming or animation. Here look at the portfolio and skills. All this can be obtained by studying in full-time or online courses. You can learn the basics of 3D modeling yourself.
There are no faculties and courses in Russian universities that teach 3D modeling specifically. If you want to work in this field and still get a higher education, look for departments that teach related specialties. For example:
Art universities and faculties.
A 3D modeler needs to understand the techniques of drawing and sculpture, to understand what size, volume, shape and perspective are. You can learn how to work in special programs for 3D modeling in 4-5 months, but artistic skills are developed much longer.
An art school will be a huge advantage when you enter this profession.
Faculty of design and computer graphics
They do not teach modeling directly, but provide knowledge on related topics. After graduating from such a faculty, your diploma will indicate a general specialty – for example, “designer”.
Faculty of Technology and Engineering
This is the direction for those who want to work as a 3D modeler in industrial design: create models of machines and buildings.
Full-time schools and 3D modeling courses
There are many schools and they are easy to find on the Internet. Advantages of full-time study:
- you get acquainted with different directions and can choose what interests you;
- the school is taught by practitioners from different studios;
- you meet teachers and fellow students from the industry – in the future, connections will help you find a job.
Disadvantages of a full-time school are duration of study (2 years) and high cost.
Online 3D modeling courses
These courses provide a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get started. But if you are poorly versed in this area and do not understand what exactly you want to do, there is a risk of choosing the wrong course and losing time and motivation on this.
Self-paced
If you already know what you want, you can choose an online course and study on your own. If not, it’s helpful to find someone who does. He will talk about different directions, help to study the programs, give feedback.
Knowledge and skills
The profession of a 3D modeler is both technical and creative, and you need to develop both to be successful. I would recommend this:
Drawing and sculpting
A 3D model from the real world must be completely realistic. To do this, you need to be able to draw and sculpt. The ideas of artists also sometimes need to be refined, so the ability to draw comes in handy. For novice 3D modelers, I recommend drawing, sculpting, developing an eye and imagination.
Knowledge of anatomy
Modelers who create characters need to know anatomy. It does not matter if you are recreating a model of a real person or a fictional character – you need to correctly convey the appearance and proportions. These skills are taught in art schools and universities.
Engineering thinking and knowledge of technology
Particularly important for modellers who work in the field of industrial design. For movies and games, they also create 3D models of technology, and you need to know how it works.
Creativity and analytical thinking
The modeler needs to analyze the information he receives from artists and scanning specialists. He has to refine the concepts of artists, that is, to solve creative problems.
Knowledge of programs
Modelers work in special programs that allow you to recreate the object as accurately as possible: in compliance with volumes, sizes, proportions. For example, I use Maya, ZBrush, UVLayout, Houdini, SpeedTree, Mudbox.
Personal qualities
Communication skills
Even if you work remotely, you are still in a team with different specialists. You need to be able to negotiate, be polite, respect the work of others.
Patience
Patience is needed to master the profession at a high level. Everyone who started out faced difficulties and made mistakes. In the film, animation, and gaming industries, a team sometimes works on a project for several months or even years, and patience is needed to wait for the result.
Ability to motivate yourself
It is important to keep yourself enthusiastic and highly motivated to work. To do this, you need to understand what inspires you. Personally, I watch movies or leaf through artbooks on games and movies. I see what others are doing and I want to do just as well.
Career, salary, schedule
Career
Approximate career steps in film, animation, game industry or television:
- trainee,
- junior modeler,
- modeler (or mid modeler),
- senior modeler,
- lead modeler;
- head of department.
As you move up the career ladder, your responsibilities change. Now I work as a lead modeler and check the work of other modelers, deal with technical issues in the department, participate in the discussion of complex tasks, write technical specifications, and help less experienced colleagues.
The salary of a 3D modeler depends on the industry. The gaming industry pays the most, animation is in second place, and cinema is third.
Salaries of film modellers
An intern is often not paid anything, he works for two months for free.
Junior modeler , who successfully completed the internship, receives from 35 to 50 thousand.
Just a modeler – from 50 to 75 thousand.
Senior modder – up to 100 thousand.
Lead modeler or head of department – more than 100 thousand, depending on the functionality and agreements.
Working hours
In the studio, the modeler works according to the usual office schedule – 8 hours, 5 days a week. But you can come to work not at 9:00–10:00, but later. In our studio, for example, everyone has to be at work before 12:00. An employee can agree on an individual schedule, for example, there are those who like to work in the evening. I work from 10:00 to 19:00.
But when you have to turn in an urgent project, sometimes you have to work 10-12 hours. As a rule, in studios this time is paid. But such periods do not last long.
A 3D modeler can work remotely from home or freelance, then he decides his own schedule.
Work and prospects
3D modelers are in demand, but they have high competition – higher than other specialists who create visual effects. This is due to the fact that many people want to do 3D modeling. The narrower the profile, the less competition.