Blender Learning Resources

Introduction

• Two ways to learn Blender:
  • Free resources on YouTube
  • Paid courses for faster learning
• Categories covered include entry-level tutorials, motion graphics, modeling, procedural materials, geometry nodes, character design, lighting, VFX, sculpting, and environments.

Entry-Level Tutorials

• Free Courses:
  • CG Cookie: Comprehensive intro to Blender.
  • Blender Guru: Popular and highly recommended.
  • CG FasTrack: Another great free resource.
• Paid Courses:
  • No recommended paid courses due to the quality of free options.

Motion Graphics

• YouTube Channel:
  • Creator's channel: Focus on motion graphics, shading, geometry nodes.
• Course:
  • Creator’s own course: 14 lessons, 7 hours. Offers a 35% discount with a code.

Modeling

• YouTube Channels:
  • Polygon Runway: Extensive content for scene or object modeling.
  • Josh Granell: Specializes in hard surface modeling.
• Course:
  • 3D Car Modeling Course: Comprehensive for car modeling and applicable to other styles.

Procedural Materials

• YouTube Channel:
  • Ryan King: Expert in procedural material content.
• Course:
  • CG Masters: In-depth course on procedural materials and math nodes.

Geometry Nodes

• YouTube Channels:
  • Creator’s channel: Beginner-friendly and focused on making cool projects.
  • Xan 3D: Advanced geometry nodes tutorials.
  • CG Matter and Default Cube: General Blender content including geometry nodes.
• Course:
  • Creator’s intro to Geometry Nodes: Practical and application-based. Offers a 35% discount with a code.

Character Design, Animation, and Rigging

• YouTube Channel:
  • Southern Shotty: Focus on character creation and animation.
• Free Course:
  • Crossmind Studio: Good for learning character creation despite being older.
• Course:
  • Alive Character Course: Comprehensive and compatible with new Blender versions.

Lighting

• Course:
  • Gleb Alexandrov: Course on cinematic lighting in Blender.

VFX

• YouTube Channel:
  • Inlight VFX: Great content on VFX in Blender.
• Course:
  • Inlight VFX Course: Notable Kickstarter, praised for comprehensive VFX learning.

Sculpting

• YouTube Channel:
  • Grant Abbott: Extensive content on sculpting and modeling.
• Course:
  • The Human Course: Renowned for its depth and quality.

Environments

• YouTube Channel:
  • Max Haye: Consistent and high-quality content.
• Courses:
  • Max Haye's various courses on environment creation.

Honorable Mentions

• Encourage exploration of more channels in the Blender community.
• Suggest subscribing to mentioned channels to enhance learning through YouTube's algorithm.

Conclusion

• Encourage persistence in learning Blender for at least two weeks.
• Blender praised as the best program with a vibrant community.