3D Modeling for Games: Create AAA Assets in Maya & Substance

Name: 3D Modeling for Games: Create AAA Assets in Maya & Substance
Rating: 4.5 (44 reviews)

Master 3D modeling, UV unwrapping & texturing workflows to build portfolio-ready game assets and become Pro Game Artist

Created byShoaib Mohammed

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

Master Maya: Confidently build AAA game models.
Texturing Mastery: Craft pro-grade textures with Substance 3D Painter.
Render Like a Pro: Breathe life into models with Marmoset Toolbag 4
Job-Ready Portfolio: Showcase your skills & land your dream game art job.

Course content

1 section • 38 lectures • 20h 3m total length

Introduction to Autodesk Maya – Setting Up for 3D Game Modeling17:49
Modeling Basics in Maya – Creating a Pokeball (Beginner Project)42:17
Finishing the Pokeball – Fundamentals of 3D Modeling18:33
Blocking a Game Asset in Maya – Oil Barrel Example19:40
Creating a High-Poly Game Asset – Oil Barrel High-Poly Workflow18:02
Create a high-poly barrel in maya, a model with many polygons, detailing the cap and body with bevels and edge loops for accurate baking.
Creating a Low-Poly Game Asset – Oil Barrel Low-Poly Workflow38:05
Learn to convert a high poly barrel to a low poly game asset in Maya. Clean up groups, subdivide, collapse edges, and merge vertices while preserving silhouette and shading.
UV Unwrapping Game Assets – Oil Barrel UV Workflow39:44
Learn how to unwrap UVs for a low-poly oil barrel in Maya, including creating UV shells, unfolding, stitching, laying out UVs, checking texel density, and preparing textures for Substance Painter.
Introduction to Adobe Substance 3D Painter for Game Texturing16:52
Starting Texture Painting in Substance Painter – Oil Barrel Example13:10
Adding Surface Detail & Small Features to Game Assets21:37
Creating Dents, Logos & Decals for realistic 3D Game Assets18:01
Adding Oil Spill & Rust Effects in Substance Painter21:46
Rendering and Post-Processing Game Assets with Photoshop39:27
Render game-ready assets by smoothing edges in Maya, exporting FBX, texturing in Substance Painter, importing into Marmoset Toolbag, and postprocessing in Photoshop with wireframes and color adjustments.
Starting the Hero Asset Project – Reference & Blockout in Maya29:40
Blocking Game Assets in Maya – Payphone Part 131:37
Blocking Game Assets in Maya – Payphone Part 246:20
Blocking Game Assets in Maya – Payphone Part 329:31
Block a payphone by shaping a wire with epi curves, extruding faces, and refining edge flow for a clean low-poly game asset.
Finalizing the Blockout – Payphone Game Prop26:55
High-Poly Game Asset Modeling – Payphone Part 126:08
High-Poly Game Asset Modeling – Payphone Part 222:57
Finalizing High-Poly Game Model – Payphone Project31:51
Low-Poly Game Asset Modeling – Payphone Part 135:02
Learn payphone low-poly modeling workflow in Maya: from refining high-poly to creating a low-poly block, exporting as FBX, importing, aligning with reference, and reducing tris while preserving detail.
Low-Poly Game Asset Modeling – Payphone Part 237:16
Finalizing Low-Poly Game Asset – Payphone Project40:40
UV Unwrapping Game Assets – Payphone Part 133:33
UV Unwrapping Game Assets – Payphone Part 238:07
UV Unwrapping Game Assets – Payphone Part 335:35
Master payphone uv unwrapping in Maya by cutting, stitching, unfolding, orienting, and optimizing uv shells, then layout and pack to 4k texel density with proper padding.
Baking Maps & Preparing Textures in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 150:10
Texturing Game Assets in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 216:59
Texturing Game Assets in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 334:41
Texturing Game Assets in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 431:05
Texture the payphone handpiece with black, apply weathering, roughness tweaks, and a grunge-based texture to create contrast and realism.
Texturing Game Assets in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 51:14:37
Stencil Painting & Detailing in Substance Painter – Payphone Part 635:36
Learn to texture a payphone asset with stencil painting in Substance 3D painter, using alpha masks for numbers, UV setup, and height, base color, and roughness adjustments.
Finalizing Payphone Textures – Complete Game Prop32:02
Creating Background Elements for a Game Environment31:48
Texturing Background Assets for Game Environments38:14
Adjustments & Workflow Updates – Project Continuation33:12
Rendering Game Assets in Marmoset Toolbag 4 – Final Project34:34

Requirements

3D From Scratch: Build stunning game models with NO prior experience!
Substance Savvy: Master texturing & bring your models to life!
Marmoset Magic: Learn pro rendering & showcase your creations!
Game Art Guru: Build a portfolio & land your dream game art job!

Description

Do you want to become a professional 3D Game Artist and create stunning assets for AAA games?
This course will take you from beginner to job-ready by teaching 3D modeling for games, UV unwrapping, and texturing with Substance Painter—the exact workflows used in the game industry today.

Whether you dream of building your first 3D model, improving your environment art, or preparing a strong portfolio, this step-by-step training in Maya and Substance Painter will help you create high-quality, optimized assets that meet professional standards.

What You’ll Learn

3D Modeling for Games in Maya – from fundamentals to advanced hard-surface workflows.
UV Unwrapping Made Easy – efficient trim sheets, modular UVs, and clean layouts.
Substance Painter for Game Texturing – realistic PBR textures, stylized looks, and optimized maps.
Look Development & Rendering – present your models in Marmoset Toolbag 4 with lighting and shaders.
AAA Asset Workflow – learn the same pipeline used in game studios.
Portfolio Project – build a production-ready environment asset to showcase your skills.

Why This Course?

Focused on AAA-style game assets, not just generic 3D tutorials.
Learn studio workflows step by step, not random tricks.
End the course with a portfolio-ready project that proves your skills.
Designed for both beginners and intermediates—no prior experience needed.

Who This Course is For

Beginners with no prior 3D modeling experience.
Intermediate 3D artists who want to refine their workflow.
Anyone passionate about creating game assets for AAA titles.
Students aiming for a career in game art or environment design.

FAQs

Q: What is 3D Modeling for Games?
A: 3D Modeling for Games is the process of creating optimized 3D objects—such as weapons, props, or environments—that can be used in real-time game engines. This course teaches you how to model, unwrap, texture, and render these assets step by step.

Q: Do I need prior experience with Maya or Substance Painter?
A: No. This course is beginner-friendly. You’ll start from the basics and gradually build toward advanced AAA workflows.

Q: What makes this course different from other 3D tutorials?
A: Unlike short tutorials, this course gives you a complete production pipeline—from Maya modeling to Substance Painter texturing and final rendering in Marmoset. You’ll create a portfolio-ready game asset that matches industry standards.

Q: Will I be able to use these skills to get a job?
A: Yes. The skills taught here are exactly what studios look for in junior and entry-level game artists: clean modeling, UVs, and professional textures.

Q: Can I use Blender instead of Maya?
A: While the course focuses on Maya, the principles of 3D modeling, UVs, and texturing apply to any software. Substance Painter is industry standard for texturing.

Who this course is for:

A complete beginner: No prior experience with 3D art or game development is required. We'll build your skills from the ground up, starting with the absolute fundamentals. Passionate about games: Do you dream of creating the stunning visuals you see in your favorite titles? This program equips you with the tools and knowledge to make that dream a reality. Looking for a career change: Are you ready to turn your passion into a profession? This mentorship program provides the stepping stone you need to enter the exciting world of game art. Someone who learns best with guidance: This program offers personalized mentorship, ensuring you have the support you need to overcome challenges and master new skills. Creative and eager to learn: Do you have a strong eye for detail and a desire to express yourself visually? This program allows you to unleash your creativity and bring your ideas to life in a 3D environment. Even if you have no prior experience, this mentorship program will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to embark on your journey as a game artist.