3-D Modeling Careers

• Many of our favorite video games begin as a collection of 3-D models. Stanislav Solntsev/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  For every architectural rendering, video game character and special effects sequence, countless 3-D modelers have worked behind the scenes to bring these visually stunning scenes to life. Many colleges and training programs exist to teach students how to master the various 3-D modeling software on the market, which are used in the field of 3-D modeling.

Architectural Design

• Many of the jobs involving 3-D modeling are architectural firms and government bodies that need renderings of new construction, repairs and future expansions. The California Department of General Services's Design Services Devision has an entire studio devoted to 3-D modeling and rendering for various projects.

Video Games

• Video games are the most common industry associated with 3-D modeling. Every character, object and landscape must be painstakingly rendered by teams of modelers. Multiplayer online role-playing games employ many modelers because they constantly update content and need new 3-D designs. Video games are also a very detailed application of 3-D modeling because they also use bump and texture mapping, dynamic lighting, physics and animation.

Film Industry

• Without 3-D modeling, movies couldn't feature a giant, city-destroying robots. Production companies maintain large 3-D design studios to produce 3-D effects in most movies. Independent producers use smaller facilities.