Mastering Autodesk Alias Package and then stepping into a design world means that you are aiming for creating high quality objects in 3D Modeling Realm. What jobs are available for someone with mastery in Autodesk Alias?
What are some careers you can go into with a complete knowledge of Autodesk Alias? Alias Modeling Tools focus on design modeling, technical surfacing, reverse engineering and visualization. Top careers for skilled Alias Digital Modelers are automotive modeler, 3D product artist, free-form sculptors and studio engineer. Expect to earn $82,722 as a starting salary.
When it comes down to modeling aesthetically appealing objects it is all about the combination of knowledge of software package and an artistic ‘license’ of the end user.
Bringing ideas to life! Alias digital modelers use their skills to best allow the design intent, and design ideas take up shape by creating high quality, accurate NURBS Surface Models.
Ideas Embodiment! Because of this all careers in Digital Modeling will considerably influence further development of initial 2d sketches produced by industrial/car designers, and allow final release of 3D models encapsulate the design intent with the highest quality 3D geometry. The key skills of someone seeking a career with Autodesk 3D Modeling Package, apart from the technical grasp, are passion for design, creativity, attention to details, flexibility, and self-motivation.
Careers for Proficient Autodesk Alias Users
There is a wide range of jobs that all fall under the category of the Alias Designer. These options are only increasing, as in the current age of digitization and globalization there are more opportunities than ever for CAD (Computer Aided Design) users. The “Alias Boom” is apparent in: automotive segment, tier one suppliers, marine and aircraft design, leisure and sporting equipment, electronic appliances enclosure, children’s toy, sweeping design jewelry and fashion accessory markets
Automotive Modeler
When it comes to Automotive Modeling, the opportunities are almost endless. As long as your skills are firmly decent you are in demand. You will be wanted by the automakers and OEM suppliers. There are several types of Car Designers, many of which are geared towards specialized fields.
| Median Pay | $82,722 |
| Package Proficiency | Autodesk Alias Surface |
| Work Experience in Related Fields | Under 5 years |
For more information on the statistics of digital modelers check out the pay scale research, US
Automotive Modeler Responsibilities
- The modeler will receive designer specifications in forms of sketches, renderings, concepts designs and scan data, and from there, will generate complex and high quality digital automotive surface models
- He/she will use his/her artistic and technical skills to bring shape and form to styling ideas and designs. He/she will be creating models from concepts and sketches with emphasis on the combination of form and function
- Deep involvement in solving of engineering and technical issues will become modeler’s daily routine. He/she will carry out development of surface data according to packaging information and technical specifications. He/she will stand responsible to quality standards assurance in terms of overall vehicle engineering package
- Creation of automotive geometry will range from early concept modeling – CAS to heavy duty production modeling – Class A
- Working very closely and collaborate together with entire design team, including exterior and interior design staff, but also studio engineers and aero engineers, package engineers to challenge feasibility criteria
- Produce good quality, informative modeling progress renderings to showcase and review current data models and to carry out real-time, up-to-date visualization and quality control of obtained data models
Various Types of Automotive Modelers
Exterior Modeler
Bodywork Modelers are most widely wanted types of OEM Automotive Modelers. If you are into Alias digital design chances are that sooner or later you will be caught in and pulled into exterior design. Your job will involve modeling of sizable slabs of geometry of primary surfaces at initial stages of project design. In later stages, You will dive into blends and transitional surfaces of secondary geometry. In the last stages, you will be finishing off models with tertiary surfaces of fillets and rounds for final release and production.
At the beginning of you career, you will be benchmarking competitive automobiles to resource design paths. Once your experience, and therefore, confidence grow, you will begin proposing revolutionary design solutions which push boundaries of design improvement.
Interior Modeler
This is a second type of Digital Sculptor that is always in close collaboration with exterior designers at in-house design studio environment. Interior is somewhat different to exterior in the way that it focuses more on details and forms rather than absolute quality of geometry. Although, it is certain that here quality must also go hand in hand with styling. The human factor – ergonomics is somewhat more important for interior modelers, as well as enclosures between sub components of plastic trims. Quality-wise, spans in topology are less frown upon.
CAS Modeler (Computer Aided Styling)
At initial project stages CAS modelers are hired to specifically focus on reflectively no-time consuming, quick sketch models. Rapid geometry building skills of CAS modelers are used when design of the product is not settled, and when numerous idea iterations for finding the best solution are required. Modelers in design studios can take upon a quick approach to modeling and complete even sizable modeling tasks in considerably shorter time. As the result, numerous light topology model iterations are usually created to deliver the data to meet short deadlines, which are generally carried out in-house. The deadlines take up the form of design reviews. You might consider this stage to be more fun because the design process is not obstructed by many technical constraints, which might be ignored at these early stages.
High Quality – A Class Modeler
When design is finalized and frozen, CAS geometry will be rebuilt once more to achieve top quality CV flow with top notch highlights and volumes. Skilled, highest quality surface builders are usually subject to special treatment within any organization, as achieving this level of proficiency in 3D modeling is kind of achievement. Not everyone needs to be an A-class surface modeler, because not everywhere the highest surface quality is required. Each company has different standards as what A class surface is, therefore, having a couple of team members who are capable of building A-class surfaces is usually enough.
3D Product Artist
You can be an Alias modeler, but have little to do with a car industry and still be able to place yourself comfortably in an OEM. Original Equipment Manufacturer (wikipedia link) designs and produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. The possibilities are infinite, and may range from Dyson Vacuum Cleaners through Apple’s Digital Equipment to IKEA’s Kitchen Tables. People who enjoy tangible problem solving tend to choose this career path. Second party OEMs will test your abilities best out of all other career options giving you many tasks with limited time.
| Median Pay | $68,328 |
| Package Proficiency | Autodesk Alias Studio |
| Work Experience in Related Fields | Under 5 years |
For more information on the statistics of digital modelers check out the pay scale research, US
3D Product Artist Responsibilities
- Each industry will require different command level of Alias and some different approaches to modeling that will reflect the salary and remuneration.
- Products that you work on will also have a huge impact on your work environment. Don’t get discouraged though, such industries are also very rewarding.
- You would certainly still need to demonstrate that you understand the concepts and ideas of the projects, and come up with solutions.
Various Types of 3D Product Artists
Senior 3D Product Artist
This position belongs to someone who his an expert of his own kind, with the knowledge of all technicalities behind design, such as draft angles being the simplest, then possible surface finishes and how they affect product’s manufacturability, advanced mold design cliches, wall thickness, how material solidification in injection molding affects aesthetics – just to mention a few.
Junior 3D Product Artist
Benchmarking competition, and applying this knowledge for your digital modeling is your bread and butter during this learning curve. You will normally by responsible for delivering digital models of less complicated topology, and will be given more time to complete the chores. At this stage it is worth staying eager but patient. With time you progress linearly and shortly your skills will reach much higher, seemingly unreachable level.
Free Form Sculptors
With a growing palette of tools in Alias, you might want to sign up for the polygon mesh sculpting. It is a method of modeling objects by approximating their surfaces using Polygon Meshes. This method is well suited to quick rendering visualization of products ideas. Of course, some surface quality trade-offs must be made to account for the speed that the model is built. Nevertheless, you work in the polygon modeling environment to swiftly construct the awaited 3D models, and add environment and materials. The process and final results might turn out to be more exciting than chasing a highlight on an automotive bodywork, as in NURBS modeling.
Free Form Sculptors Responsibilities
- You play: “first hands on ideas”. You will be working under the direction of the supervising you designers to, very possibly, create first iterations of polygonal mesh models from concept art, reference 2D work and product specifications.
- You still need to maintain high quality standards by ensuring appropriate density, decent edge sharpness, slab smoothness and patches integration.
- You can take some liberties on highlights. At this stage, maintaining balance between model quality and performance with correct proportions, overall form and volumes matters most.
Studio Engineer
The Studio Engineer responsibilities are geared more towards engineering with a ‘smudge’ of design and styling. He/she will usually be responsible for developing design solutions for physical properties to support Alias Design Modelers. It is more of a problem solving and cross functional issue resolution role rather than problem creator function, as the typical Alias Modeler usually is. You would need some years of previous work experience of Design Best Practices, and be skilled in Autodesk Alias Modeling packages and also other CAD packages to manage work of your follow modelers and visualize solution mock-ups.
Studio Engineer Responsibilities
- First of all you are here to support modelers and solve problems. You are the man to facilitate Design Studio.
- There will be a lot of design verification models coming in that you will be building armatures around as well as figuring out hard part fabrication and milling methods
- At the same time, you will be integrating aesthetic and engineering requirements into detailed model structure.
- You are going to be responsible for Design For Production schedules. Therefore, you will create the actual physical plans for product release.
- All of the above will be prepared while you will be communicating fabrication requests and monitoring fabrication progress. You can do this by carrying out a follow-up with Shop Process Engineers.
