Those who follow my posts know that I have always maintained that the natural evolution of virtual 3D – especially of the video game variety – will be driven by 3D modelling for 3D printing. This week, after possibly the most disappointing E3 ever (E3 is the biggest videogame show in the world, taking place now in LA and entering its 20th-something year), it is becoming clearer than ever that any 3D artist needs to get into 3D printing fast – if not to use it, than at least to learn and teach how to model real objects.
That is what is going on at Mold3D Academy, a new venture offering online courses and live workshops on how to 3D model and use 3D printing for art, design and other technical applications. Founded by experienced video game, animation, and FX artists Robert Vignone and Edward Quintero, Mold3D just announced a partnership with 3D Hubs, which will give students who enroll 15% off 3D printing from any of the over 18,000 (and counting) 3D printing hubs in over 140 countries worldwide.
In general, Mold3D Academy is a site dedicated to artists who share an interest in 3D printing and want to learn how to master the medium. The founder’s mission is to “encourage 3D modelers, sculptors, designers and 3D print enthusiasts to come together in one place to learn, share, promote and be inspired.”
One way to do this is to sign up for the next online course on Zbrush (both Pixologic, Zbrush’s publisher and Formlabs are also partners of Mold3D), which starts on June 28th and lasts 4 weeks, at a cost of $350. My friend Cristina Franceschini learned Zbrush from an online course and we all know what she has been able to produce. So $350 – if you have the time and the talent – is really an affordable price point.
Mold3D also offers live workshops with 3D printers. In that case, you’ll have to sign up to get updates on times and locations of upcoming events. Workshop teachers have included artists such as 3D artist and character sculptor Gio Napkil, concept artist Ian Joyner, and more. The two founders have also worked at several big entertainment productions, including what has been one of my favorite video games of all time: Last of Us. It was also the last big production I have ever played, before jumping on the 3D printing wagon.
