Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/videojuegos-animation

For anyone aspiring to break into the vibrant world of video game development, understanding the artistic pipeline is crucial. The Coursera course, ‘Arte 3D y animación en videojuegos’ (3D Art and Animation in Video Games), offers a comprehensive journey into the creative heart of game creation. This course, delivered entirely in Spanish, is a fantastic resource for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills in game art.

The course begins with a foundational module, ‘Introducción al arte en videojuegos’ (Introduction to Art in Video Games). Here, you’ll grasp the fundamental role of art in games, explore art direction, and understand the profile of a game artist. It delves into creativity and situates art creation within the broader game development process. You’ll get an overview of different art types, including conceptual and 2D art, before diving into the exciting realm of 3D art with an initial introduction to 3ds Max and 3D modeling.

The second module, ‘Modelado y texturizado’ (Modeling and Texturing), takes you deeper into the intricacies of 3D art. You’ll learn to model more complex assets and explore various material types. Textures are explained in detail – what they are, how they’re generated, and how to map them effectively. The module also covers essential techniques like normal maps and specular maps, which are vital for adding detail without compromising performance.

Moving on to ‘Exportación al motor y animación’ (Export to Engine and Animation), the course introduces you to Unity, a popular game engine. You’ll learn how to export your 3D assets and configure them for optimal visual presentation within the engine. A significant portion of this module is dedicated to character creation, including the crucial steps of rigging (creating a bone system) and animation. The knowledge gained is then applied by exporting characters and their animations back into Unity.

The final module, ‘Iluminación, interfaz y efectos’ (Lighting, Interface, and Effects), rounds off the artistic journey. It covers lighting in detail, from basic introductions to real-time lighting and light mapping techniques, including how to generate light maps in both Unity and 3ds Max. You’ll also explore particle systems for creating dynamic effects like fire and explosions, delve into the artistic aspects of user interfaces, and examine key post-processing effects. The course concludes by highlighting the artistic significance of music and sound in shaping the player’s experience.

Overall, ‘Arte 3D y animación en videojuegos’ is a well-structured and informative course. It provides a solid understanding of the artistic principles and technical skills required for creating compelling video game visuals. The hands-on approach, coupled with clear explanations, makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enter the game art industry or enhance their existing capabilities.

Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/videojuegos-animation