7 3D Modeling Projects for Beginners
Get started in 3D modeling with these fun, beginner-friendly projects taught by expert teachers.
In the 3D modeling and animation industry, professionals use many of the same software products that you can access as a beginner. Especially if you’re working toward a career in 3D art, familiarity with the common software is definitely a leg up.
Still, you’ll need more than an understanding of the software. Knowing how to create basic characters, settings and animation will open the door to a wide range of 3D projects with room for customization and the unexplored corners of your imagination.
Read on to discover seven projects designed for those newer to 3D modeling, character design and environment creation.
Getting Started with 3D Modeling
Before selecting a specific project, know which software you prefer to use. Some of the more popular software options considered suitable for beginners include Blender, Autodesk Maya, Nomad Sculpt and Autodesk Fusion.
If you’re totally new to 3D modeling, your choice might hinge on what’s most accessible or affordable. If you do have experience with a particular program, that’s probably the best place to start. Ensure you have recent versions so that you can choose from the most up-to-date tutorials.
Skillshare offers some guidance on 3D modeling basics and software comparisons, including:
- How to Make a 3D Model: Your Ultimate Guide
- Blender Modeling: A Beginner’s Guide to Help You Get Started
- ZBrush vs. Blender: Which One is Right for You?
Setting up a simple workspace and navigating the software’s basic features will help you focus on the most important skills and avoid being distracted by features you may not be ready for. Gather some inspiration, get a timeline and finished project goal, and settle in!
7 Easy 3D Modeling Projects for Beginners
You have endless options for initial 3D modeling projects. It’s ideal to select something that you think will be fun, and result in a piece that you like to look at. If you’re trying to develop a career, opt for projects that will work well in a professional portfolio.
1. Cozy Campsite Setting
Class: Complete Beginners Guide to Blender 3D by Harry Helps
About This Project:
Harry guides you through every step of getting to know Blender 3D and the basics of creating a model. From downloading the program and common modeling tools to modification and animation concepts, you’ll build on each lesson for a solid grasp of the entire process.
Design Tips:
You’ll be able to arrange the pieces of the campsite model however you like, and edit their colors and other details. Once you learn to create the model, the majority of aesthetics are truly up to you.
Why We Love It:
You can have no experience with 3D projects and leave this class with the knowledge to create your own model in Blender. Harry’s pace is ideal for those just starting out and is a solid intro that ends with a rewarding project.
Learn Blender 3D and create a campsite with guidance from Harry Helps.
2. Simple, Cute Character
Class: Introduction to 3D with Nomad Sculpt by Dave Reed
About This Project:
Dave shows you how to make a simple, cute animal character with Nomad Sculpt, even if you’ve never worked with 3D before. He begins by opening a new project and addressing the basics of shapes and blocking, and guides you through colors, lighting and post-processing.
Design Tips:
Once you have a sense of working with placing the shapes, you’ll have a lot of freedom to create a unique character that’s all your own. Colors, textures, sizes, clothing, lighting, and props may all be customized.
Why We Love It:
Whether you have no art experience or are looking to expand from 2D to 3D, Dave’s class offers a fun, accessible project. The skills you learn here will translate well into other character work, perfect for building into scenes and animation.
Learn Nomad Sculpt and create a character with help from Dave Reed
3. Jumping, Bouncing Animation
Class: Blender 3D: Your First 3D Animation by SouthernShotty3D
About This Project:
You’ll learn the basics of Blender 3D before diving into making a character and bringing it to life with animation. After an intro to the Blender and animation interfaces, you’ll be guided through the animation process and the steps to make a character. Once you render your work, you’ll be finished!
Design Tips:
While the character guidance will be specific, you’ll have some creative freedom with colors and size. This class provides a good launching point for more customized animations. You’ll save the character animation and be able to share it elsewhere.
Why We Love It:
This project builds on the most basic skills, so it brings you to the next level of 3D animation. Think of this bouncing project as a goal if you’re just starting out, or use it as a second step in your progress.
Make your first 3D animation with SouthernShotty3D
4. Realistic Environment for Characters
Class: 3D Design in Unreal Engine: Create a Realistic and Navigable Environment by Lucas Ridley
Class Title: 3D Design in Unreal Engine: Create a Realistic and Navigable Environment by Lucas Ridley
About This Project:
Lucas walks you through building a realistic environment that your characters can navigate for a film or video game. You’ll immediately begin creating the landscape, quickly getting to details like textures, natural elements and the techniques that make the setting feel spatially realistic.
Design Tips:
Because this project works with realistic and navigable details, you’ll create a unique environment. Lucas shows you how to access thousands of elements, like rocks and foliage, that will make your setting one of a kind.
Why We Love It:
Quite literally, this project takes you to the next level. It enables you to create a complete landscape for video game characters. You can determine which techniques work best for your artistic goals and get a sense of how you prefer to work on personal and professional projects.
Create a navigable environment with help from Lucas Ridley
5. Character Design from Scratch
Class: Blender 3D: Design 3D Characters in Blender from Scratch by Arash Ahadzadeh
About This Project:
With some basic Blender knowledge, you’ll learn to design a cute character from scratch. Arash begins by listing your requirements and walking through the concepts of mood boards and sketching. You'll bring in each element to create a simple, cute bunny character with props, lighting, and finally, rendering.
Design Tips:
Although the project is specifically for a bunny character, you’ll have fun choosing colors, lighting, positions and expressions for your character. The final product is an excellent portfolio piece, so be sure to make it your own.
Why We Love It:
Arash designed this class to focus on practical, essential skills that will get you results. He also strives to make what can seem like complex ideas fun and engaging. The goal is a solid addition to your portfolio.
Design characters from scratch with guidance from Arash Ahadzadeh
6. 3D Robot Design
Class: How to 3D Design a Robot – Fusion 360 for Beginners by Hendrien Horn
About This Project:
You’ll learn to use multiple sketching, modeling and appearance tools to create and enliven a 3D robot character. From drawing the face, body and limbs to transforming those elements into a 3D model, you’ll walk away with a cute, cleaned-up, unique robot.
Design Tips:
Hendrien leaves plenty of creative space for you to give your robot its own appearance with color and texture choices. You can also decide a particular position and stance for your character.
Why We Love It:
While a base knowledge of Autodesk Fusion 360 is helpful, this is a beginner project that will teach you efficiency and effectiveness along with character design. It’s also meant to help you build confidence as a 3D artist.
Design a 3D robot with Hendrien Horn
7. Cracked Egg Dish
Class: 3D Modeling for Beginners with Nomad Sculpt by Dave Reed
About This Project:
You’ll learn to create a breakfast setting with a cracked egg in a pan or on a plate, a beverage glass and whatever else your image needs. Dave walks you through concepts of environment and ambiance, then discusses surfaces, lighting and sculpting to capture the look of egg yolk and white.
Design Tips:
The elements around the egg are largely up to you, though ideally, they will suggest realistic, appetizing food. Touches like floral vases, candles and other dishes can be fun and introduce the challenge of altering the lighting and reflections.
Why We Love It:
Dave built this project for beginners and starts from scratch. The breakfast setting concept is highly familiar and mundane, making it easy to visualize but also open to customization on almost every element.
Learn Nomad Sculpt and create an egg dish with Dave Reed
Start Your 3D Design Journey with Skillshare
Now, it’s your turn to dive into some practical projects, which will help you build foundational 3D modeling skills and grow as a 3D designer.
Skillshare classes provide step-by-step guidance from expert instructors, making it easier for you to learn at your own pace and have a good time doing it.
Once you’ve got some beginner projects under your belt, dig into the additional, more advanced classes for expanded learning options. You might also try some one-on-one instruction with teachers and upcoming digital products.
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Katie Mitchell
Katie lives in Michigan with her husband, kids and pets. She enjoys cooking, travel and live music.
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