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Coursera

Complete Beginners Guide to Blender 3D

via Coursera

Overview

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Hi, my name is 'Harry Helps'! In this class, we’ll learn everything we need to know to get up and running in Blender! > This class has been updated for the release of Blender 4.1! < We’ll be going through the entire process of learning Blender from a complete beginner’s perspective to avoid as much confusion as possible. Every topic covered builds upon previous lessons to form a solid foundation as we progress through the class. I designed this entire class to follow a premade starter file. You’ll have access to every single model that I’m using in class, so you’ll never need to worry about missing out on an important feature or tool! Please note, Blender 4.1 or newer is required to use this starter file! I’ve also included a handy cheat sheet filled with important keyboard shortcuts, that you can reference during the class and in the future! This class is meant to teach you the basics of Blender, and as such won’t focus heavily on version specific features. That means, even if you watch this class and the current version is Blender 4.0, 4.5 or even higher, you can still gain a solid foundation! Throughout this class, we'll get a basic understanding of almost every important aspect of 3d artwork during your time with me. You'll learn topics like: - Downloading and Installing Blender - Interface Navigation - Editing Objects - Organizing Your File - Common Modeling Tools - Materials - Modifiers - Lighting - Animation Basics - Camera Placement and Settings - Saving Your Final Image And much more! You'll create: After we've set up a solid foundation, I'll lead you through our class project, where you'll assemble and customize your very own cozy campsite utilizing a premade project file! I hope you'll join me on this exploration of the wonderful world of Blender! See ya in the first lesson! Instructor bio: 'Harry Helps' is a 3D artist and educator with over a decade of professional experience in modeling, texturing, animation, and post-production. Throughout his career, he has worked across diverse industries—from MMORPG game studios and video production companies to award-winning architectural visualization firms—holding roles such as Studio Director, Lead 3D Artist, and Greenscreen Editor. His work has been featured in 3D Artist magazine, where he also contributed tutorial content. With extensive expertise in Blender, 3ds Max, V-Ray, and Photoshop, Harry is passionate about sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of 3D creators.

Syllabus

  • Getting Started with Blender
    • Start your Blender journey by installing the software and becoming familiar with its interface. In this introductory module, you’ll learn how to launch Blender, navigate the workspace, and explore its basic functionality to prepare for hands-on 3D creation.
  • Mastering the Basics of Navigation and Objects
    • Learn to move confidently through the 3D viewport and begin building your scenes. You’ll practice navigating camera views, adding and selecting objects, and using essential transform tools like move, rotate, and scale to manipulate your designs.
  • Organizing and Editing Your Scene
    • Develop a structured approach to 3D modeling by organizing your scene and using foundational editing tools. This module covers shading modes, object naming, file hierarchy, and the basic modeling tools needed to shape and refine your creations.
  • Working with Object Properties
    • Dig deeper into Blender’s object management system. You’ll learn how to join, parent, and separate objects, adjust origin points for precise alignment, and apply transformations that control the location, rotation, and scale of your elements.
  • Customizing the Interface and Workflow
    • Make Blender work for you by customizing its interface and layout. This module shows you how to set up personalized workspaces, apply modifiers to streamline tasks, and tailor the UI to support your creative workflow.
  • Animation and Viewport Rendering
    • Bring your scenes to life with animation basics and real-time rendering. You’ll use keyframes and the timeline to animate objects, explore different viewport rendering modes, and preview lighting and materials to evaluate your scenes dynamically.
  • Materials and Lighting
    • Enhance the look and feel of your project by learning how to apply materials, set up lighting, and configure your camera. You’ll work with both Blender 3.6 and 4.0 material systems, position cameras, and add basic lighting to build mood and clarity.
  • Rendering Your Final Project
    • Prepare your project for presentation with professional render settings. This module covers how to choose between render engines, adjust output formats and resolution, and produce your final image using Blender’s built-in rendering tools.
  • Class Project & Wrap-Up
    • Complete your final class project and reflect on everything you’ve learned. This closing module gives you the opportunity to apply your new skills, identify resources for continued growth, and walk away with a polished render to showcase your progress.

Taught by

Skillshare

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4.5 rating at Coursera based on 13 ratings

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