5 answers
mason kay
1
Answer
South Brisbane, QLD
Asked
2051 views
whats the best courses and best way to learn blender 3d, sculpting, 3d animation etc?
I found some udemy courses but i need more info before buying anything
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5 answers
Vanni Duong
3
Answers
Updated
Vanni’s Answer
Hi Mason,
Before investing in any paid 3D tutorials, I recommend exploring some of the many high-quality free resources available online. My team and I have found these free tutorials to be incredibly helpful for building foundational skills and getting comfortable with Blender at your own pace.
Blender Beginner Tutorial Series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J27sf9N1Y&list=PLjEaoINr3zgEPv5y--4MKpciLaoQYZB1Z
This playlist offers a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of Blender. The instructor explains concepts clearly and breaks down each step in a way that’s easy to understand, making it accessible even if you’re completely new to 3D modeling. I found his teaching style engaging and straightforward, which made following along with the tutorials both informative and enjoyable. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your foundational skills, this series is a great resource.
Blender Animation:
Blender Animation Tutorial 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBJp82tlR3M
Blender Animation Tutorial 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEAc_lLjOMc
These animation tutorials are also helpful for getting started with basic animation in Blender.
Good luck and have fun!
Before investing in any paid 3D tutorials, I recommend exploring some of the many high-quality free resources available online. My team and I have found these free tutorials to be incredibly helpful for building foundational skills and getting comfortable with Blender at your own pace.
Blender Beginner Tutorial Series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J27sf9N1Y&list=PLjEaoINr3zgEPv5y--4MKpciLaoQYZB1Z
This playlist offers a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of Blender. The instructor explains concepts clearly and breaks down each step in a way that’s easy to understand, making it accessible even if you’re completely new to 3D modeling. I found his teaching style engaging and straightforward, which made following along with the tutorials both informative and enjoyable. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your foundational skills, this series is a great resource.
Blender Animation:
Blender Animation Tutorial 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBJp82tlR3M
Blender Animation Tutorial 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEAc_lLjOMc
These animation tutorials are also helpful for getting started with basic animation in Blender.
Good luck and have fun!
Alan Kozlowski
Global Learning and Development
3
Answers
New Lenox, Illinois
Updated
Alan’s Answer
This is from a colleague of mine who is self-taught and very good at what he does:
"I would suggest the YouTube series from Blender Guru, The Donut Challenge. That series walks you through the basics, including short cuts/hot keys, that are integral to efficiently using Blender. Then you learn all the techniques I currently use to create and render my 3D models. Beyond that, I scour YouTube for tutorials that specifically target an effect I am looking for.
I also paid for a Udemy course for a previous version of Blender just as the latest version was being released, so I got the entire course for $15.99. "
Course opportunities likely exist at your local community college but this should get you on your way. Hoping this information starts you on the road to your journey with Blender.
"I would suggest the YouTube series from Blender Guru, The Donut Challenge. That series walks you through the basics, including short cuts/hot keys, that are integral to efficiently using Blender. Then you learn all the techniques I currently use to create and render my 3D models. Beyond that, I scour YouTube for tutorials that specifically target an effect I am looking for.
I also paid for a Udemy course for a previous version of Blender just as the latest version was being released, so I got the entire course for $15.99. "
Course opportunities likely exist at your local community college but this should get you on your way. Hoping this information starts you on the road to your journey with Blender.
Theodore Rubin
Business Advisor
19
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Theodore’s Answer
# Complete Blender Learning Guide: Udemy & Beyond
## Quick Start Strategy
**Phase 1: Free Learning (1-2 months)**
- Test your interest with free resources
- Learn basics without financial commitment
- Identify your preferred learning style
**Phase 2: Strategic Purchasing**
- Wait for Udemy sales (every 2-4 weeks)
- Invest in structured courses for your specialty
- Join premium platforms if serious
**Phase 3: Specialization**
- Focus on one main area
- Build portfolio projects
- Consider advanced/professional courses
---
## Udemy Smart Shopping Guide
### Sales Strategy
- **Never pay full price** - Courses regularly drop from $100+ to $10-15
- **Sales frequency**: Every 2-4 weeks
- **Best sale periods**: New Year, Black Friday, end of quarters
- **Flash sales**: Random 1-3 day promotions
### Before You Buy Checklist
- Course updated within last 12 months
- Instructor responds to Q&A section
- Preview videos match your learning style
- Recent reviews mention Blender 3.0+ compatibility
- Clear curriculum breakdown with time estimates
- Project files included
### Red Flags
- Last updated 2+ years ago
- Mostly generic positive reviews
- "Beginner to expert in X hours" claims
- Poor audio quality in previews
- Instructor accent you can't understand
- No downloadable resources
---
## Top Udemy Blender Courses
### Beginner Friendly
**"Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners"** by GameDev.tv
- Comprehensive foundation course
- Project-based learning
- Regular updates
- Active community
**"Blender 2.8 Encyclopedia"** by CG Boost Academy
- Covers all Blender features systematically
- Reference-style learning
- Good for methodical learners
### Modeling Specialists
**Zacharias Reinhardt's Courses**
- Professional hard-surface modeling
- Advanced techniques
- Industry-standard workflows
**"Complete Blender Beginner Tutorial Series"** by CG Cookie (when on Udemy)
- Structured curriculum
- Professional instruction quality
### Character Creation
**"Character Creation in Blender 2.8"** by Darrin Lile
- Full pipeline from sculpting to rigging
- Professional character development
- Industry techniques
### Animation Focus
**"Blender Character Animation Course"** by Pierrick Picaut
- Professional animator teaching
- Character rigging and animation
- Industry-standard techniques
---
## Essential Free Resources
### YouTube Channels (Start Here!)
**Beginner Friendly**
- **Blender Guru** - The legendary donut tutorial + more
- **Grant Abbitt** - Excellent beginner modeling series
- **CG Cookie** - Professional tutorials (some free)
- **Ducky 3D** - Motion graphics and stylized work
**Intermediate to Advanced**
- **FlippedNormals** - Industry professionals
- **Ian Hubert** - "Lazy Tutorials" for efficiency
- **YanSculpts** - Amazing creature sculpting
- **Royal Skies LLC** - Environments and landscapes
**Official Resources**
- **Blender Studio** - Official tutorials and production insights
- **Blender Foundation YouTube** - Updates and techniques
### Written Resources
- **Blender Manual** - Comprehensive official documentation
- **BlenderArtists.org** - Active community forum
- **r/blender** - Reddit community with feedback and inspiration
---
## Learning Paths by Specialty
### 3D Modeling Track
1. **Foundation** (2-4 weeks)
- Interface navigation
- Basic mesh editing
- Modifier stack understanding
2. **Hard Surface Modeling** (1-2 months)
- Subdivision modeling
- Edge flow principles
- Boolean operations
- Clean topology
3. **Organic Modeling** (1-2 months)
- Character modeling basics
- Face/body proportions
- Retopology techniques
**Recommended Udemy Courses**: Zacharias Reinhardt's modeling series
### Sculpting Track
1. **Digital Sculpting Basics** (3-4 weeks)
- Sculpting tools mastery
- Brush techniques
- Dynamic topology
2. **Anatomy Studies** (2-3 months)
- Human/creature anatomy
- Proportions and form
- Reference study techniques
3. **Advanced Sculpting** (2+ months)
- Detailed character creation
- Clothing and accessories
- Multi-resolution workflows
**Recommended Free**: YanSculpts YouTube series
**Recommended Paid**: Character creation courses focusing on sculpting
### Animation Track
1. **Animation Principles** (1 month)
- 12 principles of animation
- Keyframe basics
- Timeline and graph editor
2. **Character Animation** (2-3 months)
- Basic rigging
- Walk cycles
- Facial animation
- Acting and personality
3. **Advanced Animation** (3+ months)
- Advanced rigging techniques
- Crowd simulation
- Physics simulation
**Recommended**: Pierrick Picaut's animation courses
### Rendering & Lighting Track
1. **Lighting Fundamentals** (2-3 weeks)
- 3-point lighting
- HDRI environments
- Color temperature
2. **Materials & Shading** (1-2 months)
- Node-based shading
- PBR workflows
- Texture painting
3. **Rendering Mastery** (1-2 months)
- Cycles vs Eevee
- Render optimization
- Compositing basics
---
## Premium Alternatives to Udemy
### CG Cookie ($19/month)
- **Pros**: Structured curriculum, professional instruction, project files
- **Cons**: Monthly subscription cost
- **Best for**: Serious learners wanting structured progression
### Blender Studio ($11.50/month)
- **Pros**: Official Blender content, production insights, supporting development
- **Cons**: Limited to Blender-specific content
- **Best for**: Blender enthusiasts wanting insider knowledge
### Skillshare
- **Pros**: Often cheaper than individual Udemy courses, varied content
- **Cons**: Less Blender-specific content than dedicated platforms
- **Best for**: Learners interested in broader creative skills
---
## Time Investment Guidelines
### Casual Learning (30 min/day)
- **Month 1-2**: Basic navigation and modeling
- **Month 3-4**: Materials and basic lighting
- **Month 5-6**: Simple animations or advanced modeling
- **Expected outcome**: Solid foundation, simple projects
### Serious Learning (1-2 hours/day)
- **Month 1-2**: Complete beginner curriculum
- **Month 3-4**: Intermediate techniques in chosen specialty
- **Month 5-6**: Advanced projects and portfolio building
- **Expected outcome**: Intermediate skills, portfolio-ready work
### Intensive Learning (3+ hours/day)
- **Month 1**: Master fundamentals
- **Month 2-3**: Advanced techniques and workflows
- **Month 4-6**: Professional-level projects
- **Expected outcome**: Job-ready skills, professional portfolio
---
## Final Recommendations
1. **Start with free resources** - Don't spend money until you're sure you enjoy it
2. **Wait for Udemy sales** - Patience saves 80-90% on course costs
3. **Focus on one specialty** - Better to be excellent in one area than mediocre in all
4. **Practice constantly** - 80% doing, 20% watching tutorials
5. **Join communities** - Learning accelerates with feedback and inspiration
Remember: Blender is completely free and incredibly powerful. The limiting factor isn't the software cost - it's your time and dedication to learning it.
## Quick Start Strategy
**Phase 1: Free Learning (1-2 months)**
- Test your interest with free resources
- Learn basics without financial commitment
- Identify your preferred learning style
**Phase 2: Strategic Purchasing**
- Wait for Udemy sales (every 2-4 weeks)
- Invest in structured courses for your specialty
- Join premium platforms if serious
**Phase 3: Specialization**
- Focus on one main area
- Build portfolio projects
- Consider advanced/professional courses
---
## Udemy Smart Shopping Guide
### Sales Strategy
- **Never pay full price** - Courses regularly drop from $100+ to $10-15
- **Sales frequency**: Every 2-4 weeks
- **Best sale periods**: New Year, Black Friday, end of quarters
- **Flash sales**: Random 1-3 day promotions
### Before You Buy Checklist
- Course updated within last 12 months
- Instructor responds to Q&A section
- Preview videos match your learning style
- Recent reviews mention Blender 3.0+ compatibility
- Clear curriculum breakdown with time estimates
- Project files included
### Red Flags
- Last updated 2+ years ago
- Mostly generic positive reviews
- "Beginner to expert in X hours" claims
- Poor audio quality in previews
- Instructor accent you can't understand
- No downloadable resources
---
## Top Udemy Blender Courses
### Beginner Friendly
**"Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners"** by GameDev.tv
- Comprehensive foundation course
- Project-based learning
- Regular updates
- Active community
**"Blender 2.8 Encyclopedia"** by CG Boost Academy
- Covers all Blender features systematically
- Reference-style learning
- Good for methodical learners
### Modeling Specialists
**Zacharias Reinhardt's Courses**
- Professional hard-surface modeling
- Advanced techniques
- Industry-standard workflows
**"Complete Blender Beginner Tutorial Series"** by CG Cookie (when on Udemy)
- Structured curriculum
- Professional instruction quality
### Character Creation
**"Character Creation in Blender 2.8"** by Darrin Lile
- Full pipeline from sculpting to rigging
- Professional character development
- Industry techniques
### Animation Focus
**"Blender Character Animation Course"** by Pierrick Picaut
- Professional animator teaching
- Character rigging and animation
- Industry-standard techniques
---
## Essential Free Resources
### YouTube Channels (Start Here!)
**Beginner Friendly**
- **Blender Guru** - The legendary donut tutorial + more
- **Grant Abbitt** - Excellent beginner modeling series
- **CG Cookie** - Professional tutorials (some free)
- **Ducky 3D** - Motion graphics and stylized work
**Intermediate to Advanced**
- **FlippedNormals** - Industry professionals
- **Ian Hubert** - "Lazy Tutorials" for efficiency
- **YanSculpts** - Amazing creature sculpting
- **Royal Skies LLC** - Environments and landscapes
**Official Resources**
- **Blender Studio** - Official tutorials and production insights
- **Blender Foundation YouTube** - Updates and techniques
### Written Resources
- **Blender Manual** - Comprehensive official documentation
- **BlenderArtists.org** - Active community forum
- **r/blender** - Reddit community with feedback and inspiration
---
## Learning Paths by Specialty
### 3D Modeling Track
1. **Foundation** (2-4 weeks)
- Interface navigation
- Basic mesh editing
- Modifier stack understanding
2. **Hard Surface Modeling** (1-2 months)
- Subdivision modeling
- Edge flow principles
- Boolean operations
- Clean topology
3. **Organic Modeling** (1-2 months)
- Character modeling basics
- Face/body proportions
- Retopology techniques
**Recommended Udemy Courses**: Zacharias Reinhardt's modeling series
### Sculpting Track
1. **Digital Sculpting Basics** (3-4 weeks)
- Sculpting tools mastery
- Brush techniques
- Dynamic topology
2. **Anatomy Studies** (2-3 months)
- Human/creature anatomy
- Proportions and form
- Reference study techniques
3. **Advanced Sculpting** (2+ months)
- Detailed character creation
- Clothing and accessories
- Multi-resolution workflows
**Recommended Free**: YanSculpts YouTube series
**Recommended Paid**: Character creation courses focusing on sculpting
### Animation Track
1. **Animation Principles** (1 month)
- 12 principles of animation
- Keyframe basics
- Timeline and graph editor
2. **Character Animation** (2-3 months)
- Basic rigging
- Walk cycles
- Facial animation
- Acting and personality
3. **Advanced Animation** (3+ months)
- Advanced rigging techniques
- Crowd simulation
- Physics simulation
**Recommended**: Pierrick Picaut's animation courses
### Rendering & Lighting Track
1. **Lighting Fundamentals** (2-3 weeks)
- 3-point lighting
- HDRI environments
- Color temperature
2. **Materials & Shading** (1-2 months)
- Node-based shading
- PBR workflows
- Texture painting
3. **Rendering Mastery** (1-2 months)
- Cycles vs Eevee
- Render optimization
- Compositing basics
---
## Premium Alternatives to Udemy
### CG Cookie ($19/month)
- **Pros**: Structured curriculum, professional instruction, project files
- **Cons**: Monthly subscription cost
- **Best for**: Serious learners wanting structured progression
### Blender Studio ($11.50/month)
- **Pros**: Official Blender content, production insights, supporting development
- **Cons**: Limited to Blender-specific content
- **Best for**: Blender enthusiasts wanting insider knowledge
### Skillshare
- **Pros**: Often cheaper than individual Udemy courses, varied content
- **Cons**: Less Blender-specific content than dedicated platforms
- **Best for**: Learners interested in broader creative skills
---
## Time Investment Guidelines
### Casual Learning (30 min/day)
- **Month 1-2**: Basic navigation and modeling
- **Month 3-4**: Materials and basic lighting
- **Month 5-6**: Simple animations or advanced modeling
- **Expected outcome**: Solid foundation, simple projects
### Serious Learning (1-2 hours/day)
- **Month 1-2**: Complete beginner curriculum
- **Month 3-4**: Intermediate techniques in chosen specialty
- **Month 5-6**: Advanced projects and portfolio building
- **Expected outcome**: Intermediate skills, portfolio-ready work
### Intensive Learning (3+ hours/day)
- **Month 1**: Master fundamentals
- **Month 2-3**: Advanced techniques and workflows
- **Month 4-6**: Professional-level projects
- **Expected outcome**: Job-ready skills, professional portfolio
---
## Final Recommendations
1. **Start with free resources** - Don't spend money until you're sure you enjoy it
2. **Wait for Udemy sales** - Patience saves 80-90% on course costs
3. **Focus on one specialty** - Better to be excellent in one area than mediocre in all
4. **Practice constantly** - 80% doing, 20% watching tutorials
5. **Join communities** - Learning accelerates with feedback and inspiration
Remember: Blender is completely free and incredibly powerful. The limiting factor isn't the software cost - it's your time and dedication to learning it.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
mason kay
M.S. Gumelar
Author I Digital Artist
8
Answers
Denpasar, Indonesia
Updated
M.S.’s Answer
Dear Mason,
In animation, it’s not necessary to master every skill—rather, it’s best to focus on one specific area. You can specialize in creating 3D meshes and models, concentrate on skinning (rigging), or dedicate yourself entirely to motion as an animator. Typically, animators do not handle rigging or modeling, so honing a single skill can help you excel. However, you can always expand your knowledge and learn additional disciplines when needed.
Additionally, I recommend avoiding video tutorials, as they can be difficult to follow—you constantly need to rewind, fast-forward, pause, and adjust. Instead, I suggest learning from eBooks, which allow you to focus on a step-by-step process without the distractions of navigating a video. This method has been invaluable in my journey, helping me become a generalist in both 2D and 3D animation over the past 25 years.
Sincerely,
M.S. Gumelar
In animation, it’s not necessary to master every skill—rather, it’s best to focus on one specific area. You can specialize in creating 3D meshes and models, concentrate on skinning (rigging), or dedicate yourself entirely to motion as an animator. Typically, animators do not handle rigging or modeling, so honing a single skill can help you excel. However, you can always expand your knowledge and learn additional disciplines when needed.
Additionally, I recommend avoiding video tutorials, as they can be difficult to follow—you constantly need to rewind, fast-forward, pause, and adjust. Instead, I suggest learning from eBooks, which allow you to focus on a step-by-step process without the distractions of navigating a video. This method has been invaluable in my journey, helping me become a generalist in both 2D and 3D animation over the past 25 years.
Sincerely,
M.S. Gumelar
Shreya Toliya
Oracle HCM Cloud Consultant
30
Answers
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Updated
Shreya’s Answer
Absolutely, it’s smart to research before purchasing any courses. Blender is a powerful (and free) tool for 3D modeling, sculpting, and animation, and there are many excellent resources—both free and paid—to help you learn. Here’s a guide to help you get started and choose the best path:
Best Ways to Learn Blender 3D, Sculpting, and Animation
1. Start with Free Official Resources
Blender’s Official Website & YouTube Channel:
The Blender Foundation offers free tutorials for beginners and advanced users. Their YouTube channel has step-by-step guides on modeling, sculpting, and animation.
Blender Guru:
Famous for the “Donut Tutorial,” Blender Guru’s YouTube channel is a great starting point for absolute beginners.
2. Explore Structured Free Courses
CG Cookie (Free Lessons):
While CG Cookie is a paid platform, they offer some free introductory content and a clear learning path for beginners.
YouTube Creators:
Channels like CG Geek, Grant Abbitt, and Ducky 3D provide high-quality, free tutorials on a wide range of Blender topics.
3. Consider Paid Courses (If Needed)
Udemy:
Udemy has many Blender courses, but quality varies. Look for courses with high ratings, recent updates, and lots of student reviews. Examples:
“Blender 3D: Your First 3D Character”
“Blender Character Creator”
“The Complete Guide to 3D Modeling with Blender”
Coursera & Skillshare:
These platforms offer courses from universities and professionals. Coursera sometimes provides free auditing options.
CG Cookie (Paid):
Offers a subscription model with a structured curriculum, progress tracking, and feedback.
4. Practice and Community Engagement
Blender Artists Forum:
Join the Blender Artists Community to share your work, get feedback, and ask questions.
Discord Servers & Reddit:
Subreddits like r/blender and Discord communities are active and supportive.
5. Suggested Learning Path
Learn the Basics:
Start with interface navigation, basic modeling, and rendering.
Move to Sculpting:
Once comfortable, try Blender’s sculpting tools—look for beginner sculpting tutorials.
Explore Animation:
Learn about keyframes, rigging, and basic animation principles.
Work on Small Projects:
Apply what you learn by creating simple models, characters, or short animations.
Build a Portfolio:
Save your best work to showcase your progress.
Tip: Before buying any course, check if the instructor offers free sample lessons on YouTube or their website. This helps you gauge their teaching style.
Best Ways to Learn Blender 3D, Sculpting, and Animation
1. Start with Free Official Resources
Blender’s Official Website & YouTube Channel:
The Blender Foundation offers free tutorials for beginners and advanced users. Their YouTube channel has step-by-step guides on modeling, sculpting, and animation.
Blender Guru:
Famous for the “Donut Tutorial,” Blender Guru’s YouTube channel is a great starting point for absolute beginners.
2. Explore Structured Free Courses
CG Cookie (Free Lessons):
While CG Cookie is a paid platform, they offer some free introductory content and a clear learning path for beginners.
YouTube Creators:
Channels like CG Geek, Grant Abbitt, and Ducky 3D provide high-quality, free tutorials on a wide range of Blender topics.
3. Consider Paid Courses (If Needed)
Udemy:
Udemy has many Blender courses, but quality varies. Look for courses with high ratings, recent updates, and lots of student reviews. Examples:
“Blender 3D: Your First 3D Character”
“Blender Character Creator”
“The Complete Guide to 3D Modeling with Blender”
Coursera & Skillshare:
These platforms offer courses from universities and professionals. Coursera sometimes provides free auditing options.
CG Cookie (Paid):
Offers a subscription model with a structured curriculum, progress tracking, and feedback.
4. Practice and Community Engagement
Blender Artists Forum:
Join the Blender Artists Community to share your work, get feedback, and ask questions.
Discord Servers & Reddit:
Subreddits like r/blender and Discord communities are active and supportive.
5. Suggested Learning Path
Learn the Basics:
Start with interface navigation, basic modeling, and rendering.
Move to Sculpting:
Once comfortable, try Blender’s sculpting tools—look for beginner sculpting tutorials.
Explore Animation:
Learn about keyframes, rigging, and basic animation principles.
Work on Small Projects:
Apply what you learn by creating simple models, characters, or short animations.
Build a Portfolio:
Save your best work to showcase your progress.
Tip: Before buying any course, check if the instructor offers free sample lessons on YouTube or their website. This helps you gauge their teaching style.