CGI Ads - Idea School Pro (By 88GB)

CGI Ads - A complete Road Map

Creating immersive CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) ads for social media requires mastering certain
tools, techniques, and workflows to craft engaging, visually compelling content. CGI ads are powerful
because they blend realism and creativity, making it possible to showcase products or ideas in ways that
would be costly or impossible to achieve with traditional filming methods. Below is a comprehensive guide,
including tools, techniques, and recommended YouTube channels to learn CGI ad creation from scratch.

1. Understanding the Basics of CGI Ads

CGI ads are digital creations designed to simulate real-life or fantastical visuals, often used in product
promotions, brand storytelling, and immersive experiences. Creating CGI ads typically involves:

• 3D Modeling: Crafting objects, environments, or characters in 3D.

• Texturing and Shading: Adding materials and colors to 3D models to make them look realistic or stylized.

• Lighting: Simulating light sources to enhance the realism or mood of the scene.

• Animation: Bringing models to life with movement, such as product rotations, unfolding elements, or
complex character motions.

• Rendering: Generating the final output, which combines all elements into a polished image or video.

• Post-Production: Final adjustments, adding effects, color grading, and more.

2. Tools and Software for CGI Ads

Here are the primary tools and software you’ll need, covering every step from modeling to rendering and
post-production.

a) 3D Modeling and Animation Tools

• Blender: A free, open-source software with robust modeling, animation, and rendering capabilities. Ideal
for beginners and professionals alike.

Edit with the Docs app

• Cinema 4D: Known for its user-friendly interface, it’s a favorite in the ad industry for creating high-quality
Make tweaks, leave comments and share with others to edit at the same time.
3D graphics.

NO, THANKS USE THE APP

• Autodesk Maya: Popular for complex animations and high-detail models; industry-standard in animation
and VFX.
CGI Ads - Idea School Pro (By 88GB)
b) Texturing and Shading Tools

• Substance Painter: Used to add realistic textures to 3D models, especially useful for product or character
design.

• Quixel Mixer: Free and effective for creating textures, often paired with Megascans (a library of
photorealistic 3D assets).

• Adobe Photoshop: Although a 2D tool, Photoshop is excellent for creating textures and image editing,
especially useful in post-production.

c) Rendering Engines

• OctaneRender: A real-time render engine popular in motion graphics, known for its fast and realistic
rendering.

• Redshift: A GPU-accelerated render engine for fast and photorealistic rendering.

• Cycles (Blender): The built-in rendering engine in Blender, capable of producing high-quality realistic
renders.

d) Post-Production Tools

• Adobe After Effects: The industry-standard for compositing, motion graphics, and adding effects to
enhance the ad.

• Davinci Resolve: A professional tool for color grading and video editing, known for its precise color
control.

• Nuke: Advanced software for compositing, widely used in VFX-heavy ads.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating CGI Ads

Step 1: Concept Development and Storyboarding

• Start with a clear idea of what the ad should communicate.

• Sketch storyboards or create a rough animatic to map out scenes and sequences.
Edit with the Docs app
• Consider Make tweaks,
aspects leave
like the comments
target andad
audience, share withand
length, others to edit
primary at theelements.
visual same time.

Step 2: 3D Modeling NO, THANKS USE THE APP

 CGI or
• Use Blender Ads - Idea
Cinema 4D toSchool Pro (By
create models 88GB)
of the product or main object.

• Begin with basic shapes, then refine details for realism.

• For organic objects (e.g., food or fabrics), Blender’s sculpting tools or Maya’s organic modeling features
can be useful.

Step 3: Texturing and Shading

• Import models into Substance Painter or Quixel Mixer.

• Create high-quality textures that enhance the look and feel of the model (e.g., leather for furniture, glass
for bottles).

• Export textured models back into your main 3D software.

Step 4: Lighting Setup

• Experiment with different lighting setups to set the ad’s mood.

• Use HDRI images in Blender or Cinema 4D for realistic lighting.

• Position lights in a way that highlights the model’s features and creates depth.

Step 5: Animation (If Applicable)

• Animate the models or camera in your 3D software (Blender or Cinema 4D).

• Start with basic movements, then refine for smoothness and realism.

• For complex animations, Maya is ideal due to its advanced rigging and animation tools.

Step 6: Rendering

• Choose a rendering engine based on your project needs.

• Render a short sample to test lighting, textures, and animations.

Edit
• Render the with
final the in
output Docs
highapp
resolution for a polished look.
Make tweaks, leave comments and share with others to edit at the same time.

Step 7: Post-Production and Compositing

NO, THANKS USE THE APP
• ImportCGI Adsfootage
rendered - Idea School
into Pro or(By
After Effects 88GB)
Nuke.

• Add effects, color grade, and refine visual elements.

• Use After Effects to add final touches like text overlays, logos, or motion graphics.

4. YouTube Channels for Learning CGI Ad Creation

Here’s a curated list of YouTube channels where you can learn different aspects of CGI ad creation, from
beginner tutorials to advanced workflows.

• Blender Guru: Excellent for learning Blender basics, particularly helpful for beginners.

• CG Geek: Covers Blender, Maya, and other tools, often creating real-world CGI scenarios.

• Gleb Alexandrov: Known for his advanced techniques in Blender, especially lighting and shading.

• Greyscalegorilla: Specializes in Cinema 4D tutorials, popular for motion graphics and ad-related content.

• FlippedNormals: Great for tutorials on character modeling and realistic textures, using Maya and Blender.

• Polygon Runway: Focuses on creating stylized and realistic 3D scenes in Blender, excellent for beginners.

• Learn Squared: Offers courses from industry professionals, especially helpful for compositing and post-
production.

• Andrew Price (Blender Guru): For lighting, rendering, and creating realistic textures in Blender.

5. Key Tips and Best Practices for CGI Ads

• Stay Consistent with Brand Style: The CGI visuals should reflect the brand’s color scheme, tone, and
values.

• Optimize for Social Media: Render in resolutions optimized for platforms like Instagram (1080x1080px for
square posts) and TikTok (1080x1920px for vertical videos).

• Focus on Realism: Use high-quality textures and detailed lighting setups for photorealism, which can
increase viewer engagement.

• ExperimentEdit with
with the Docs
Angles app
: Try different camera angles and perspectives to highlight product features
effectively.Make tweaks, leave comments and share with others to edit at the same time.

• Test Render: Always render short test videos to ensure everything (likeNO, THANKS
lighting USE THE
and animation) APPgood
looks
before rendering the entire ad.
 CGI
Conclusion Ads - Idea School Pro (By 88GB)

Creating CGI ads involves a blend of technical skills, creativity, and the right tools. Mastering this craft will
allow you to produce highly immersive and engaging ads for social media. By following these steps and
learning from the recommended YouTube channels, you can develop the skills necessary to create
impressive CGI content that stands out in a competitive digital landscape.

Happy Learning and Creating!

This guide provides a structured approach, with resources, for anyone interested in creating CGI ads. The
tools and techniques are accessible, and with consistent practice, you can develop high-quality ads that
resonate with audiences.

Certainly! Here’s the updated conclusion:

Conclusion

Creating CGI ads involves a blend of technical skills, creativity, and the right tools. Mastering this craft will
allow you to produce highly immersive and engaging ads for social media. By following these steps and
learning from the recommended YouTube channels, you can develop the skills necessary to create
impressive CGI content that stands out in a competitive digital landscape.

If you’re interested in formal learning, these courses can also be learned at IDEA School. Simply DMS, and
we’ll be happy to send you the course link.

www.ideaschool.pro

Happy Learning and Creating!

This guide provides a structured approach, with resources, for anyone interested in creating CGI ads. The
tools and techniques are accessible, and with consistent practice, you can develop high-quality ads that
resonate with audiences.

This version includes the mention of IDEA School for those interested in pursuing structured courses. Let
me know if there’s anything else you’d like to add!

Edit with the Docs app

Make tweaks, leave comments and share with others to edit at the same time.

NO, THANKS USE THE APP