Advanced Animation of 3D Characters
A course by Kike Oliva , Digital Character Animator
Learn to bring your projects to life with realistic movements through the analysis of complex physics
Animating a character is about much more than just adding movement, it is about giving it life, thoughts, and feelings. Kike Oliva has more than two decades' experience in VFX, advertising, video games, and film, and has worked in studios such as Pixar in Canada and Animal Logic in Australia.
In this online course, Kike takes you by the hand through the process of creating an animation shoot centered around the physics of movement. Discover a simple way to tackle an animation with complex movements and physics, and learn how to explore ideas, plan, execute, and polish your project alongside an industry-leading professional.
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 5 downloads
- 92% positive reviews (88)
- 2,817 students
- 22 lessons (5h 23m)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese
- Level: Advanced
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
MayaWhat is this course's project?
Apply everything learned during the course to animate a character performing different tricks in a skatepark.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Animators, designers, and anyone with an interest in improving their level of animation. Also to anyone who wants to discover the creative process of 3D digital animation alongside a professional.
Requirements and materials
Solid knowledge of animating in any 3D program is necessary; Kike uses Maya, but you can choose the software with which you are most comfortable.
You also need a computer with your preferred 3D software installed and a character modeled and rigged for animation.
Reviews
Kike Oliva
A course by Kike Oliva
Kike Oliva has over 20 years' experience in animation, having worked in areas as diverse as 3D animated feature films, video games, advertising, and VFX movies. His name appears in the credits of Amusement Park, The Legend of the Guardians, and The Little Prince, among many other productions. He has collaborated with studios such as Pixar Canada, Animal Logic, Ilion animation, The Frank Barton Company, Image engine, and more.
He combines his professional work with teaching, developing educational content in various animation schools such as Animum Animation School, Cice, and the University of UTAD.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Inspiration
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U2
Creating an idea
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Exploring ideas to encourage I
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Exploring ideas to encourage II
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Search and selection of video references I
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Search and selection of video references II
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U3
Layout and blocking
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Preparation and layout of the scene
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Blocking I
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Blocking II
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Blocking III
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Blocking IV
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Blocking V
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U4
Spline and refined: in search of fluidity and coherence
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Spline I
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Spline II
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Spline III
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Spline IV
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Spline V
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A little feedback does not hurt I
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A little feedback is not bad II
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U5
Polishing and rendering: putting the final icing
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Refined, taking care of the detail
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Polished
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Render and sound
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FP
Final project
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Advanced animation of 3D characters
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn to apply physics principles, observation techniques, and real-life reference analysis to animate 3D characters and creatures, achieving believable and expressive movements for film, games, and advertising.
Yes, this course is designed for those with basic 3D animation experience who want to refine their skills by applying physics and advanced realistic movement techniques.
It’s recommended to have basic knowledge of 3D animation and modeling, as well as familiarity with software like Maya, to get the most out of the course content.
You’ll need 3D animation software such as Autodesk Maya and access to video editing tools to analyze and compile visual references.
The course covers physics principles, squash & stretch, inertia, weight, anticipation, center of mass management, and how to apply these when animating 3D characters, creatures, and objects.
You’ll learn how to select, analyze, and adapt movement references like skateboarding and parkour tricks, breaking them down to create realistic animations for 3D characters.
The course teaches how to structure complex actions through blocking, defining key poses, transitions, and timing to build a solid foundation for realistic physical animation.
Maya
The lesson is very poor and the teacher did not consider their conscience in what they present, as starting from the middle of Blocking II and Blocking III lessons until the end of the lessons, the teacher did not explain many things and skipped them, which impaired the recipient's ability to comprehend and apply what the teacher taught.
Muy interesante el curso
awesome!
Muy buen profesor ..
great