Courses

A world full of solutions to broaden your horizons in the architectural visualization field.

Computer Graphics is a complex universe in which it is important to have good skills and keep constantly updated to satisfy the clients’ requests. From the basic courses to the most advanced ones and to the workshops, the educational offer at the SoA Academy is innovative and oriented to the professional world. Theory, practice, case studies and exercises are the right way to improve your skills.

To make this happen, we keep constantly updated on the ArchViz world thanks to the contacts between SoA’s teachers, international professionals and software houses. This is to grant you a quality that is also certified by Chaos Group, which chose SoA Academy as its Authorized Training Centre.

Masterclasses

Masterclasses

Archviz
Masterclass

The Architectural Visualisation Masterclass is the most complete training course at Academy. The course is meant for people who have a basic knowledge of 3dsMax and want to enhance their skills in the creation of Architectural images.

Look at the course schedule  →

Masterclasses

Unreal Engine
for ArchViz

The course is presented like a Masterclass with the aim to explain all details to easily work with Unreal Engine 4. Thanks to Megascans and Quixel, you will also learn how to create your photorealistic shaders.

Look at the course schedule  →

Advanced courses

Advanced

Postproduction
and Matte-painting

The course is meant for people in the Architectural Visualisation (on any level) that want to learn the techniques to postproduce and thus improve the quality of their images.

Look at the course schedule  →

Advanced

Realistic materials
with Substance Designer

Learn all secrets hidden behind Substance Designer and create advanced textures to make your project look more realistic. Give life to your render and make your own customized assets.

Look at the course schedule  →

Workshops

Workshop

Corona Renderer
for ArchViz

The course is a workshop meant to teach you all secrets on Corona Renderer and let you practise to achieve great photorealistic results with the tool: from lighting settings to a correct workflow, from materials to the final rendering.

Look at the course schedule  →

Workshop

Peter Guthrie’s Archviz Workshop (Only Eng)

The course is addressed to professionals who have a good knowledge of 3dsMax and Corona Renderer. The course will be focused around taking existing scenes and reworking them with lighting and atmosphere being the main topics under discussion.

Look at the course schedule  →

Courses

FAQ

Here are some questions related to our courses and facilities that SoA Academy students frequently ask. If you
can’t find an answer to your doubts, send us an email and we’ll give you a reply soon. There are no silly
questions but only clever answers.

NOVICE

Novice courses are for artists who are moving the first steps in the Architectural Visualisation field and need the basic knowledge to start from scratch. If you want to start learning without losing further time, these are the courses for you.

ADVANCED

The Advanced Courses are for artists who have some kind of experience in the 3D world and they want to improve their productivity and skills on specific areas. If you want to reach the top in a short time, these are the courses for you.

WORKSHOP

The workshop are advanced courses meant for artists who have experience and want to prove themselves through a set of practical exercises. Space to practice with the advise of the teachers.

MASTERCLASSES

Masterclasses are the most complete courses at Academy and are meant for artists who want to learn an efficient workflow to create images and architectural videos. From 10 to 100 in few weeks.

COURSES

How can I know which is the course that most suits me?

The choice of the course depends on you, your skills, your interest and the time you have at your disposal. For example, if you don’t have much time and want to develop specific topics, look at our Advanced courses (the ArchViz is the best if you want to improve lighting and rendering, the Post-production is the best choice if you want to work with photoshop). Anyway, we remind you that the Masterclass is the most complete course we offer because it covers important topics in the Architectural Visualization.

I’ve chosen the best course for me, what do I have to do now? How can I apply?

Go to the “calendar” page in our website, click on the course you want to apply and fill the form. As soon as we receive your request, we’ll send you an email with the instructions for the payment and the contract to complete your registration. Once you’ve made the payment, send us a receipt of the bank transfer and the contract signed. This is the only way to book a seat.

How long does the Masterclass last? What is the timetable?

The Masterclasses last some weeks (2 or 4) from Monday to Friday with the following timetable: from 9 am to 1 pm / from 2 pm to 6 pm.

How long do the Advanced courses last? What is the timetable?

The Advance courses last 5 days from Monday to Friday with the following timetable: from 9 am to 1 pm / from 2 pm to 6 pm.

In your website I see that all the Masterclasses are fully booked, do you have a waiting list? How can I subscribe it?

Yes, we do have a waiting list for each course. If you want to be added in a waiting list, send us an email. Attention: the name listing doesn’t grant a seat in the course.

Where do the courses take place?

All courses take place in our Academy in Via Monte Popera 4/6 in San Donà di Piave (a city close to Venice – Italy).

Do you have other branches?

No, we don’t.

Do you offer any online courses?

No, we don’t. The Academy team likes being in contact with the students to instantly solve any kind of problem that might arise. We also think that a face-to-face course is the best way to establish a good relationship with the guys who, in the end, become part of the Academy family. This is the reason why, we don’t have any online courses.

What time are classes?

Classes are from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 1pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.

What is the language of the courses?

Some courses are in English and some in Italian. Next to each course listed in the “calendar” webpage, you’ll find the abbreviations ITA or ENG to specify the language used in that course.

How deeply do I need to know English? Do I need Italian?

The English level used doesn’t require a deep knowledge of the language. The software interfaces are in English and the terms are strictly related to the Architectural Visualization field. Although the teachers are Italian, you don’t need to know Italian to attend a course (unless it is an Italian one).

After the courses, do you organize any internships?

No, we don’t. Anyway, we are often asked by Italian and worldwide Companies for talented Artists to insert in their Studios. We always pass these offers on to our (ex) students and if they’re interested, they can contact the Studios directly.

Can a course be cancelled?

Yes, it can. If we don’t reach the minimum number of registrations necessary to make the course start (4/5 people), the course might be cancelled. The people who have already registered will be contacted and they will be able to choose among other options.

How much do the courses cost?

Please, look at the “course” page in our website to get the costs (link alla pagina corsi). VAT is not included in the prices listed (+ 22%).

After the classes and in the weekends will we have homework?

No, you’ll have the time during the classes to exercise, so you won’t have any homework after the classes or in the weekends.

What do I need to take for the course?

Academy will provide all the materials necessary to attend the courses: notepad, pencil, pen, workstation with the relevant softwares, graphic tablet, keyboard and mouse. We suggest you to take a hard disk with you to save the files you’ve been working on in the course.

Do I need my laptop?

No, you don’t. During the course, you’ll use our workstations. Anyway, if you want to exercise in the night hours after class, take it with you!