THE SMASH SUCCESS of animated films like Finding Nemo and Toy Story shows that 3-D animation is a hot field, and Georgia’s technical colleges are on the cutting edge of this trend. This year, Central Georgia Technical College added a 3-D Animation diploma program and Valdosta Technical College debuted a 3-D Animation certificate program.

There are two career paths for 3-D animation, says Brian McDaniel, chair of Central Georgia Tech’s Computer Animation and Multimedia program. First, graduates can build 3-D animation for video production. “They can create elements to be used in a commercial, or even make their own little Star Wars movie.”

The second application: Architecture firms need draftsmen to create 3-D animated “tours” of potential buildings, so clients can visualize the plans.

Lisa Bird got her certificate in 3-D Animation from Central Georgia Tech in 2002. About the same time, she became a writer/producer in the marketing department at a TV station in Macon. Her certificate from Central Georgia Tech was a great asset, she says. “It’s not a talent everyone has.”

Central Georgia Tech’s program boasts some futuristic hardware. The Roland LPX-250 3D Scanner and a Dimension 3D printer allow students to scan a 3-D item, tinker with the dimensions and “print” the mold.

“You can take a little toy, scan it, manipulate it — say, make the head bigger — then send it to the printer to make another toy,” McDaniel explains.

Sounds like Disney’s Pixar Studios. “That’s it! It’s exciting!” McDaniel says.

“This training will create a pool of talent to attract a whole new type of industry to our state, and more specifically, to central Georgia,” says Central Georgia Tech President Dr. Mel Palmer.

Valdosta Tech’s 3-D Animation Specialist certificate program incorporates architectural design into its training program using 3D Studio VIZ software.

“3-D helps the client and the designer visualize the building,” says Mike Kirkland, Valdosta Tech Drafting program coordinator.

Valdosta Tech student Allen Wadsworth has worked for architectural firm IPG Inc. for three years, and he enrolled in the 3-D program to boost his job skills. “Using 3-D animation you can pretty much fly the client through the building. That helps us get more clients and more jobs.”

The 3-D animation classes will attract a new type of student to the technical college system, says Valdosta Tech President James Bridges. “Creative students need new tools in the digital age.”