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Blender 5 for Beginners - Model Any Low Poly Animal - Detailed Follow-Along Guide

Grant Abbitt via YouTube

Overview

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Learn to model stylized low-poly animals in Blender 5 through this comprehensive 36-minute beginner tutorial that takes you step-by-step from initial setup to finished colored model. Start by setting up your workspace with free downloadable reference sheets, then master fundamental Blender navigation and scene organization. Progress through creating the basic mesh by scaling a cube and using extrusion techniques to build the torso, neck, and head structure. Apply the mirror modifier for efficient symmetrical modeling, then craft detailed legs using loop cuts and extrusion methods. Refine your model's topology with edge sliding techniques to achieve smooth, rounded forms characteristic of low-poly style. Add distinctive features including eyes using inset and extrude tools, ears, and horns or antlers depending on your chosen animal. Complete your model by applying materials and colors through material slots, and add final details using the knife tool for features like eyes and nose. The tutorial includes strategic pause points for catching up and a challenge section for practicing leg modeling techniques, making it ideal for absolute beginners wanting to master stylized 3D animal modeling for game development or animation projects.

Syllabus

00:00 Introduction, Overview & Free Reference Sheets
00:40 Blender Basics: Scene Setup & Navigation
00:56 Importing & Positioning the Front Reference Image
03:11 PAUSE 1: Catch Up on Front Reference Setup
03:21 Duplicating & Positioning the Side Reference Image
04:16 Organizing References into a Collection
04:35 PAUSE 2: Catch Up on Side Reference Setup
04:47 Starting the Model: Scaling the Cube & Entering Edit Mode
05:47 Adjusting Vertices Side View
06:18 Extruding the Basic Body Shape Torso & Neck
08:50 PAUSE 3: Catch Up on Main Body Extrusion
09:10 Refining Body Topology with Loop Cuts & Extruding the Head
10:24 PAUSE 4: Catch Up on Body Outline & Head Shape
10:30 Preparing the Mesh & Adding the Mirror Modifier
12:02 Adjusting Body Width X-Axis using the Front View
13:02 Modeling the Front Leg Adding Loop Cut & Extrusion
14:40 PAUSE 5: Extruding Front and Back Legs Challenge
14:47 Modeling the Back Leg
17:15 Refining the Body and Legs with Edge Slide for Roundness
22:31 Modeling the Eyes Inset & Extrude
24:05 Creating the Ears
25:30 Modeling and Shaping the Horns/Antlers
31:54 Adding Color & Materials Creating Material Slots
34:22 Detailing Features with the Knife Tool e.g., Eyes, Nose
35:32 Final Model Review & Conclusion

Taught by

Grant Abbitt

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