In 2022 more industries will adopt creative applications that allow them to streamline their workflows, which can range hugely in terms of their design and usability. While Blender is a highly versatile software for 3D modeling and beyond, it is not used as much in specific industries as one might expect.
Blender is not used at the highest level of most industries because it is a Jack of all trades. It is able to perform many tasks but does not specialize in any specific task better than other applications. It is also not used at the highest levels of industries, such as game design because other applications are already integrated into the workflow of the largest companies.
However, although Blender may not be used at the top of these industries, it still has a place. The number of smaller companies that are adopting Blender across multiple industries continues to increase each year as Blenders’ own capabilities improve.
Why Blender Is Not The Best At Anything
This is not a criticism but rather an observation, having tested dozens of different applications that perform tasks similar to Blender. We class blender as a Jack of all trades, which means that the software can perform many different tasks but is not the best option for any specific task, even its primary purpose, which is to act as 3D modeling software.
Play that can be used to create both 3D and 2D animations. It has toolsets to be able to work in both 3D space and also 2D space as well with the help of the grease pencil.
We can create realistic materials and procedurally based textures using the shading workspace in Blender. Allowing us to create a wide variety of different art styles, not only with the models themselves but the materials that we apply to them.
It also has a rasterized rendering engine in Eevee, and a path tracing render engine in cycles X. Add on top of that a node-based compositor for image editing and a video sequence editor for video editing, and you have an incredible library of tools to work within a single free application.
If that sounds too good to be true in a weird way, it kind of is. Because Blender stretches its tools out to so many different tasks, you will nearly always find at least one application that is better at any task.
For example, if you want to get into 3D animation, Blender is a fantastic option, but there are a couple of better options, such as Autodesk Maya.
If your interest lies in sculpting, Blender has again a phenomenal toolkit for sculpting high detailed meshes. But a better option than Blender would be Z Brush which offers better viewport performance and more tools.
Even if you’re looking for an application that allows you to create high-quality PBR materials, Blender offers a fantastic node-based system for creating materials. Substance Painter and Substance Designer are more specialized options for this workflow.
By now, we get the idea. The top companies in various industries will look for the top options for any workflow. And in most cases, Blender doesn’t quite make it as a top choice.
Dethroning Other Applications
Another reason as to why you wont find Blender used in many of the worlds top companies is because those companies already have an application that is integrated into there workflow and has been for many years.
Most major video game developers will, for example, have been using Maya or 3DS Max for a number of years and will be happy to continue using the software.
Again those applications will be there because they focus on the tasks that the companies want them to, and so long that they achieve the expected results, there will not be replaced anytime soon.
Another related issue here is the cost of Blender. That may sound strange when you consider Blender is a free application in every sense of the world, but things are never that simple when you sit at the top of your industry.
The costs that we are referring to are the costs of transitioning from one application to another. Even if the new application is free to use, you still need to go through the process of replacing one application in your pipeline with another.
This can result in a pause to some of your existing projects if that application type is required. The new application must also be compatible with other applications used in the same workflow, so the integration is more technical than it first seems.
Perhaps the largest restraint rests with the time it takes to retrain artists to use the new software. This is not limited to the tools of the software but also how it is used with other applications.
So Is Blender Not Use At All?
Well, you won’t see too many of the more established companies and organisations using Blender in their pipelines. The software becomes a more common and more favourable choice the lower down the chain you go. Small and mid-sized companies are more likely to use the software because the costs of integration are typically far lower.
It is also a great choice for small startups and freelancers because of its easy access and ability to complete so many tasks to a professional standard.
Thanks For Reading The Article
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