What does a 3d modeler do?
A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.
3d modeler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real 3d modeler resumes:
- Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
- Partner with clients and a team of engineers to create detail and effective, multimedia training and sales aids.
- Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.
- Establish project direction and concepts, develop character designs and storyboards, and coordinate art assets from the project team.
- Refine 3d concepts for production and rapid prototyping
- Sketch technical drawings for architectural drawings and client presentations.
- Revise existing character models for rigging, and character animation.
- Create 3D renderings of campus buildings/hospital for university website using Google Sketchup
- Design and produce commercial, broadcast, medical and documentary animation graphics.
- Develop and supervise a variety of projects ranging from internal demonstration videos to VFX supervising commercial spots.
- Produce architectural illustrations, walk-through animations and QuickTime interactive panoramas.
3d modeler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of 3D Modelers are proficient in Animation, Adobe Photoshop, and Visualization. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of 3D Modelers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Animation, 10%
Designed and produced commercial, broadcast, medical and documentary animation graphics.
- Adobe Photoshop, 7%
Created numerous detailed UV and procedural textures using Adobe Photoshop.
- Visualization, 7%
Generated interest from 12 engineering visualization firms after creating the custom pipeline.
- Texture, 6%
Created a master technical design guide & best practices for modeling and texture creation for 120+ creatures.
- UV, 5%
Worked on a Modular team for Environment Modeling for games - Worked on Hard Surface Modeling Vehicles - UV'ed all CG assets
- Auto CAD, 5%
Created realistic 3D architectural models from Auto Cad drawings.
Common skills that a 3d modeler uses to do their job include "animation," "adobe photoshop," and "visualization." You can find details on the most important 3d modeler responsibilities below.
Computer skills. Another essential skill to perform 3d modeler duties is computer skills. 3d modelers responsibilities require that "many special effects artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code to do most of their work." 3d modelers also use computer skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "create and design characters and animation for internet based computer game using poser, photoshop and painter. "
Time-management skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of 3d modelers is time-management skills. This skill is critical to many everyday 3d modeler duties, as "the workdays required by most studio and game design companies can be long, particularly when there are tight deadlines." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created various video game assets on deadline. "
Creativity. 3d modeler responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "artists and animators must be able to think creatively to develop original ideas and make them come to life." This resume example shows what 3d modelers do with creativity on a typical day: "utilized the adobe creative suite, cinema4d, rhinoceros, and v-ray. "
The three companies that hire the most 3d modelers are:
- Milton CAT7 3d modelers jobs
- Arconic3 3d modelers jobs
- Nucor3 3d modelers jobs
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Compare different 3d modelers
3d modeler vs. Graphic design assistant
Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between 3d modelers and graphic design assistant. For instance, 3d modeler responsibilities require skills such as "animation," "visualization," "texture," and "uv." Whereas a graphic design assistant is skilled in "cad," "adobe illustrator," "customer service," and "adobe creative suite." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Graphic design assistants tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $57,595. In contrast, 3d modelers make the biggest average salary, $86,312, in the technology industry.On average, graphic design assistants reach similar levels of education than 3d modelers. Graphic design assistants are 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.3d modeler vs. Artist
An Artist specializes in creating various artworks or prose; the audience can vary from individuals or the general public. An artist's responsibility depends on the industry, company, or position where they are assigned. However, most of the time, Artists are expected to work under specific guidelines, deliver materials in a required format within an allotted time and perform revisions according to what is preferred by an editor or client. Furthermore, independent artists may work freelance and receive commissions for their craft.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real 3d modeler resumes. While 3d modeler responsibilities can utilize skills like "animation," "visualization," "texture," and "auto cad," artists use skills like "good time management," "maya," "customer service," and "adobe illustrator."
On average, artists earn a lower salary than 3d modelers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, artists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $80,623. Whereas 3d modelers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,312.artists earn similar levels of education than 3d modelers in general. They're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.3d modeler vs. Interactive designer
An Interactive Designer takes the business product and transforms it into a product that the user interacts with perfectly. They support engineering efforts to develop designs and get the details right.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, 3d modelers are more likely to have skills like "texture," "uv," "auto cad," and "unity." But a interactive designer is more likely to have skills like "user experience," "ui," "interaction design," and "invision."
Interactive designers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $126,017. 3d modelers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,312.When it comes to education, interactive designers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to 3d modelers. In fact, they're 6.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.3d modeler vs. Graphic designer/production
A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between 3d modelers and graphic designer/productions, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a 3d modeler might have more use for skills like "animation," "visualization," "texture," and "uv." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of graphic designer/productions require skills like "adobe illustrator," "art direction," "adobe indesign," and "signage. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for graphic designer/productions, with average annual pay of $59,531. Comparatively, the highest 3d modeler annual salary comes from the technology industry.graphic designer/productions reach similar levels of education compared to 3d modelers, in general. The difference is that they're 3.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of 3d modeler
Updated January 8, 2025
