If you are new to the concept of 3D art, then you may aware that the skillset required is different from many other tasks that you may be used to performing. Even 2D graphic design requires a completely different workflow compared to 3D modeling. As a beginner, you may have heard about Blender and wondered if it is the best place to start.
The best choice for beginner learning 3D modeling is to use Blender 3D because it offers a full range of features and endless learning resources to practice. It would also likely be the only 3D modeling program that you would need to learn because of how much it can do.
There are reasons why you may want to choose Blender as your first 3D modeling software, but it is by no means the only option. Some options are better if you only want to try 3D modeling but are unsure if you plan to stick with it.
How Easy Is It To Start Learning Blender?
Perhaps the best reason Blender is such a good choice for beginners to 3D modeling is nothing to do with the software itself but more with all the learning resources you can find on the software.
Because Blender is such an accessible application (More on that later), There are more tutors and teachers on the software than users for other lesser-known 3D apps. It is difficult to find another creative app with as many Youtube tutorials as Blender does. Even Adobe Photoshop gets a run for its money.
Suppose you want to learn about Blender from the very beginning. In that case, we recommend trying some tutorial series on Youtube, such as the famous donut series by Blender Guru, which covers all the key areas of the software in a course-like structure.
Outside of YouTube, there remains a ton of documentation, such as article-based websites like this one. You can even access the Blender Manual, which is updated for every new version of the Blender software.
Is Blender The Most Suitable Choice For Beginners?
Blender is not the easiest 3D modeling software to learn because there are so many tools and features to locate and learn. There are alternatives to Blender that are more basic not only in their feature set but also in their user experience, making them less intimidating options for a beginner to 3D art.
One option if you are looking for a more gentle introduction is TinkerCad, a simple browser-based application with a fantastic user interface that is easy to learn with a simple modeling workflow. It is the perfect software if you have never tried 3D modeling before.
A similar option to TinkerCad that works well for beginners is Vectory, another browser-based application that you don’t even need to download to begin using.
Vectory is a good stepping stone if you plan on eventually moving to Blender, as the UI can be likened to a simpler version of Blenders 3D viewport.
But if you want to learn a program that will allow you to create more than simple geometric shapes, and you don’t want to keep switching between applications to see which is best, then Blender is the safe choice. Learning the fundamentals will take a bit more time compared to the alternatives.
Can I Even Afford Blender?
You can only not afford Blender if you cannot pay a monthly internet bill because all you need to access Blender is an internet connection for the initial download. There is no cost to purchasing Blender, no one-time payment, no subscription, no trial, and no license.
Download Blender from the blender.org website, and you have access to the full version of the software with no strings attached because it’s an open-source application that is accessible to all.
Another potential cost may be to upgrade your hardware. Storage is not an issue as Blender is a lightweight application to download, coming in at 200MB; however, the more complex your scenes and projects, the more powerful the computer may need to be for Blender to function properly.
You can check out Blender’s recommended specifications here.
What About Blender Is Hard?
Because Blender is such a large application in terms of its tools and feature sets, there are also going to be some aspects of Blender that are more difficult to learn than others.
A side note from us is that Blender is truly an easy application for beginners to start learning, but because of the creative nature of the software, mastering a tool or workflow will always be more challenging.
It will take time and patience before you can truly reach a high level in any area of software, which is why you need to consider your approach.
Are you going for a jack of all trades skill set, learning a little bit of everything, or will you focus your time on a specific area of Blender, like sculpting, to become an expert in that field?
Blender allows you to create 3D models, sculpts, animations, materials, scenes, physics simulations, 2D drawings, and more.
After ten years of using Blender myself, I can say that the two most challenging areas to learn are 3D animation and physics simulations.
Blender has never been that great with physics, and I have always preferred Mayas’ approach to animation compared to Blenders.
On the other hand, Blender is phenomenal as a 3D modeler because there are now so many approaches that you can take to 3D modeling. The flexibility here truly is incredible.
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