Blender is a versatile, powerful and free 3D creation suite, and it’s become a go-to tool for artists, designers and 3D enthusiasts alike. And with its modeling tools, Blender users also have the ability to take a blank canvas and turn it into a stunning three-dimensional sculpture.

Interested in 3D modeling with Blender specifically? Start by discovering the basics of Blender, its many applications and the types of modeling techniques you can use to bring your ideas to life.

Blender Basics Explained

The 3D software Blender open on a computer. It’s displaying an image of a three-dimensional character that resembles a young boy with red hair, glasses and a large backpack. 
In the Skillshare class “Blender 3D: Deep Dive Into Modeling,” teacher SouthernShotty3D demonstrates how to model a character in a cartoonish style. 

In a nutshell, Blender is an open-source 3D computer graphics software that can be used to create 3D animated films, visual effects, art, video games and more. 

And because of its robust modeling capabilities, Blender is also a modeling tool that allows users of all skill levels to bring their creative visions to fruition. So whether you're an aspiring 3D artist, a game developer or someone who’s simply interested in exploring the world of 3D modeling, Blender’s comprehensive features and accessible nature make it an excellent choice.

Who Uses Blender?

Blender open on a computer. It displays a photorealistic scene of a furnished living room, complete with a couch, bookcase, coffee table, TV and wall decor. 
In the Skillshare class “Create & Design a Modern Interior in Blender 2.8,” teacher Stephen Pearson creates a realistic interior scene. 

Rather than being a niche tool, Blender is used by a wide variety of people. These include: 

  • 3D animators; 
  • 3D sculptors and modelers; 
  • character designers; 
  • graphic designers;
  • visual effects (VFX) artists;
  • architects;
  • illustrators;  
  • interior designers; 
  • product designers; and
  • video game developers, among others. 

But why do people with such varying backgrounds all flock to Blender? These are some of the most prominent reasons: 

  • Countless powerful features: Blender's extensive feature set attracts hobbyists, professional 3D artists and everyone in between.
  • Accessible format and intuitive tools: Blender is easy to download and provides intuitive tools for tasks such as texturing, lighting and creating 3D animations, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experts.
  • Supportive community: Blender boasts a supportive community that welcomes new users and fosters collaborative learning, often through the use of free resources such as YouTube videos and written tutorials.
  • Versatile capabilities: From photorealistic architectural renders to stylized cartoons to abstract art, Blender can be used to achieve a wide array of outcomes. 
  • Free to use: Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects, Blender is free to use, removing all financial barriers for aspiring 3D artists. Especially when you consider that Blender’s competitors can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to use, it’s easy to see why Blender is so popular. 

The Benefits of Working with Blender

Blender open on a computer. It displays a three-dimensional scene of a tent, campfire and camp chair set up in the woods, all rendered in a cartoonish fashion. The campfire is glowing and casting orange light onto the scene.  
In the Skillshare class “Complete Beginners Guide to Blender 3D,” teacher Harry Helps creates a charming scene using Blender. 

If you’re considering learning how to work with 3D software, there are a few reasons why you might want to choose Blender over other options: 

  • Accessibility to beginners: Blender's $0 price tag and extensive documentation make it exceptionally accessible to beginners. 
  • Promising future in the 3D industry: Blender's continuous development and widespread adoption make it a promising tool for the future of the 3D industry.
  • Empowering creative experimentation: Learning Blender empowers users to engage in creative experimentation, push the boundaries of their artistic expression and explore their ideas in a new medium.
  • Fundamental role in the 3D industry: 3D modeling, a core aspect of Blender, is fundamental to the 3D industry. As such, those who are proficient in Blender modeling may encounter opportunities to enter various creative fields.

Blender Modeling Types: Meshes, Curves and Surfaces

Blender open on a computer. It displays a gray blob in the rough shape of a fish, which the user is refining and improving with their cursor. 
In the Skillshare class “Into the Ocean: Character Modeling Essentials in Blender 3D,” teacher John Knowles creates a fish using mesh modeling techniques. 

Blender is an incredibly robust program, and its modeling capabilities are no exception. Within the software, you have multiple types of modeling to choose from, each with their own unique benefits and drawbacks. 

Here are three core modeling types you can use to create your own models:

1. Mesh Modeling

New to Blender modeling? Mesh modeling is the ideal starting point for beginners. 

  • Mesh modeling is popular and involves 3D meshes: Mesh modeling, a widely used technique in Blender, revolves around manipulating three-dimensional grids of vertices, edges, and faces. This method provides a straightforward and intuitive way to create various objects and characters in the 3D space.
  • Box modeling uses primitive shapes: Box modeling is a specific approach within mesh modeling in which basic shapes, i.e. primitives, are used as a starting point. For instance, you might begin with a simple cube, and then refine and edit the mesh to sculpt more complex structures. 
  • Poly modeling creates objects polygon by polygon: Poly modeling is a type of mesh modeling that involves creating 3D objects by adding and connecting individual polygons. Because of its angular nature, poly modeling is often used for precise modeling of inorganic objects.
  • Offers control and optimization: Mesh modeling provides 3D artists with a high level of control over the geometry of their creations. This control extends to the optimization of models for efficient rendering and performance, making it a preferred method for game developers and those working on real-time applications which must avoid being too resource-intensive.
  • Mesh modeling is versatile and fundamental: Due to its versatility and popularity, mesh modeling is considered to be a fundamental component of 3D graphics.

2. Curve Modeling

Once you’ve gotten a firm grasp on mesh modeling, you may want to advance your skills by learning curve modeling as well. 

  • Curves create rounded shapes mathematically: Curve modeling in Blender involves the use of mathematical equations to generate smooth, rounded shapes. This approach allows for precision and consistency, ensuring that curves maintain a polished appearance.
  • Efficient memory usage compared to polygons: Curves in Blender use less memory compared to polygon-based models. This efficiency is particularly advantageous when working on projects with large datasets or intricate designs, as it can result in faster rendering times.
  • Bézier curves are useful for letters, logos, and animation: Bézier curves, a specific type of curve in Blender, are highly versatile. They are frequently used to create intricate shapes, such as letters and logos, due to their ability to define curves and paths precisely. Bézier curves are also invaluable in 3D animation, thanks to their ability to provide smooth and controlled motion paths.
  • Complex due to vertex-level control: Curve modeling allows for vertex-level control, offering a high degree of precision but also increasing complexity. This level of detail is beneficial for artists seeking fine-tuned adjustments and intricate designs, making curve modeling a preferred method for those with specific creative visions.
  • Helpful in changing object properties over time: One notable advantage of curve modeling is its applicability to dynamic designs. Artists can animate objects by manipulating curves, enabling gradual changes in shape or position over time. This feature is particularly useful in creating fluid animations or morphing effects.

3. Surface Modeling

For the most advanced Blender users, surface modeling offers unparalleled control and precision.

  • Blender uses NURBS surfaces: Blender's surface modeling employs Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), which are mathematical representations of 3D geometry. NURBS surfaces offer a flexible and precise way to model complex shapes with smooth curves and surfaces.
  • Surfaces have two interpolation axes, U and V: NURBS surfaces utilize two interpolation axes, U and V, which allow artists to control the shape and form of the surface more precisely. 
  • Surfaces appear 3D but are inherently 2D: Although surfaces created with NURBS appear three-dimensional, they are inherently two-dimensional. 
  • Adding volume to a surface makes it non-2D: By adding volume to a NURBS surface, artists can transform it from a two-dimensional representation into a fully realized three-dimensional object. 
  • Extruding a curve transforms a 2D object into 3D: Blender's surface modeling allows for the extrusion of curves, providing a seamless transition from 2D to 3D. 
  • More complex than mesh modeling: Although surface modeling enables smooth and precise curves that mesh modeling does not, it’s also more complex and difficult to master. For that reason, surface modeling is typically best suited for more technical applications, such as engineering. 

Best Resources for Blender 3D Models

Even the most skilled Blender modelers use models from outside sources, whether that’s because they’re crunched for time or simply want to focus on modeling some things over others. 

Whatever the case is for you, these top resources can help:

  • BlenderKit: This resource is designed to help Blender users find assets to enhance their projects. It contains a curated collection of materials, models, scenes and more, and even includes an add-on you can access from directly within Blender itself. 
  • TurboSquid: TurboSquid is a well-established marketplace for 3D models and caters to a broad audience, including Blender users. It provides a vast selection of both free and paid 3D assets, and you can even use the platform to sell your own 3D assets.
  • CGTrader: Like TurboSquid, CGTrader is a 3D model marketplace that’s geared toward a wide range of industries. It also offers a platform for both buying and selling 3D assets.
  • Free3D: As its name suggests, Free3D provides a collection of free 3D models that can serve as a foundation for just about any project. Thanks to its accessibility, this resource is an ideal starting point for beginners.

Start Modeling in Blender Today

Figuring out how to use software as complex as Blender is no small task, so embarking on your Blender journey as a beginner can seem daunting. But rest assured that with perseverance and a commitment to learning, you can conquer the basics and start turning your ideas into 3D models. 

Want to develop your modeling skills even further, or explore Blender’s other capabilities? You’ll love Skillshare’s library of online Blender classes. From quick tutorials to in-depth, hours-long lessons, we have the classes you need to master Blender and its intricacies. 

Written By
Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.

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