If you’ve done any research into CG, 3D modeling, or animation, then you may have heard of Blender, a 3D modeling application suite that can do far more than meets the eye. So what are the sort of things that blender is good for?
Below is a list of some of the tasks that Blender 3D is a good application for…
- 3D Modeling
- 3D Animation
- 2D Animation
- Video Editing
- Sculpting
- 3D Printing
- Image Editing
- Texturing
- Rendering
This is just a sample of what you can do using Blender 3D, as you can also perform tasks such as rigging, python scripts, concept art, game asset design, and product manufacturing design. So is Blender the best choice for any of these tasks, and why is it good at so much?
What Is Blender Mainly Used For?
The primary purpose of Blender 3D is as a 3D modeling suite used to create individual 3D models or entire three-dimensional scenes. Artists can create their models using one of several different workflows. For example, they can create models from scratch or use a primitive object as the foundation of the model.
Artists can even go full procedural by using the geometry nodes system to create an infinite number of variations for their models. You can spend 10 hours on a single high-detailed asset or 5 hours on a full scene. There is an incredible amount of flexibility here.
Another form of modeling that Blender has improved in recent years is sculpting, which uses brushes as its toolset to add tremendous amounts of detail at the cost of good topology, although Blender does allow you to retopologise your models.
You can create 3D models for different reasons, and whatever reason you have can dictate how you use Blender to create your models.
If you are creating assets for manufacturing, then you need to ensure that your geometry follows a logical process and is suitable for either manufacturing or 3D printing.
Is Blender Good For Beginners?
There are many different 3D modeling applications to choose from. So which ones are more suited for beginners? Blender is often not considered a beginner-friendly application due to its complex user interface.
However, the blender ecosystem has been streamlined to benefit newer users in the last couple of years. It is still by no means the easiest 3D modeling application to learn. One advantage that it does have is the fact that it is free.
Most alternative software applications that either match or surpass Blenders’ capabilities will be paid applications such as Maya and 3Ds Max. The problem is that most of these require you to purchase a license to use the software for a set period of time, and when that expires, you then need to purchase another license to continue using it.
And these licenses do not come cheap, with Autodesk products, in particular, setting you back $1700 a year or more just to use a single app.
There are some really good free options out there for beginners that are ideal if you are only looking for an introduction to the concepts of 3D modeling, but if you are looking to learn 3D art to a professional standard while paying as little as possible to do so, then Blender is often the best all-round choice.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Blender?
There is a wide range of options for creating 3D models that can be either simple or complex, free or paid. Below is a list of the Pros and Cons of Blender so you can decide if it is the ideal application for your needs.
Pros
- Free to use
- No Internet Connection Required
- Reliable for tasks of all levels
- Improved user interface
- Incredible range of tools and workflows
- Can be used by itself in certain pipelines without requiring other applications
- The widest array of learning resources
- The best alternative option out there
Cons
- Not considered to be an industry-standard form of software
- It can still be daunting to beginners of 3D art
- May be dangerous versions out there if not downloaded from the Blender website
- Some tools are often hidden and difficult to find
- Employers are more interested in artists who know the software used in their pipelines
Is It Worth Using Blender?
The ultimate question, then, is whether or not Blender 3D is software worth learning or using. And the answer to that question is yes. If you want a free application for any 3D-related tasks, then blender will be the optimum choice because it’s not just a Jack of all trades software. It does the job well regardless of what the job is and is always, at the very least, the best alternative option, if not the best option for a task outright.
At the very least, you should give Blender a go, as it is easy to download, install, and begin using. If you don’t like it, then you can delete it. There are no hidden strings, and it’s yours to do with as you wish.
Want To Learn More About Blender?
Thanks For taking the time to read through the article. If you would like to learn more about Blender before giving it a try, then look at some of the other articles we have written on the Blender software below.
