Tips Tricks and Hacks

This five-part guide presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a low-polygon model of a tree when working in Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely ...more

In this four-part tutorial, you'll learn how to create a full human head with Blender's 3D modeling tools. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips an ...more

This video guide presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a realistic 3D model of a planet within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lo ...more

This Blender tutorial discusses how to set up action contraints, where you can use a bone to control things like finger curl/expand, or something more advanced, like facial expressions. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics app ...more

See how to create a natural shader to render ground/terrain surfaces. This clip takes a look at diffuse color properties, displacement and bump channels. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lo ...more

See how to create a simple, life-like indoors environment in modo. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video modo tu ...more

In this tutorial we'll take a look on how we can proceed to create a photo realistic sea environment. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be wel ...more

In this clip, you'll see how to use the mask modifier, and how it can be used to prevent intersections of meshes (like skin going through clothing items). Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digi ...more

In this tutorial, you'll see how to model fur in multiple layers within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to b ...more

Arguably the single most important aspect to modeling is topology. This overview tutorial takes a look at the topology of the human head, examining each of the main edgeloops, poles, etc. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics a ...more

Using the trackball technique you may quickly, and easily adjust your camera angle from the camera view. This is a much more efficient method of setting the angle than doing so manually. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics ap ...more

Preview rendering can greatly speed up your workflow by allowing you to preview your scene within the viewport, from any angle and at low resolution as opposed to rendering the full scene anytime you check your progress. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular o ...more

This video tutorial series will show you how to create a magic wand particles effect, the sort of visual effect you might see when a “magic wand” is waved. This will be similar to a “pixie” dust effect, although not so complicated. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation' ...more

This illuminating how-to demonstrates how to go about modeling a full 3D light bulb within Blender 2.5 Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tr ...more

In this tutorial, you'll how you can create a library of reusable composite nodes in Blender. It takes time to create node setups, and often the work is repetitive, so let’s see what can be done to be more efficient. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open- ...more

This tutorial presents a general guide on how to model a book within modo, setting up the UVs, assigning some basic textures and materials to different poly groups. In the end, you will set up a studio shot for the book and create some more copies to fill the scene. In order t ...more

This illuminating video tutorial presents instructions on how to create a studio-style lighting setup within modo 401. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you' ...more

This modo video tutorial presents an overview of glass shader settings. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video mo ...more

Learn how to create plastic, chrome and blurred chrome shaders within modo with this video guide. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well se ...more

This clip will take you through the process of texturing a 3D pumpkin in Blender 2.5. This tutorial uses a procedural materials and textures. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist me ...more

This modeling tutorial describes the process of creating an axe in Blender 2.5. The tutorial demonstrates basic modeling techniques and good use of the Shrinkwrap and Solidify modifiers. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics ap ...more

This Blender tutorialc overs the creation of a game-friendly model (i.e. low-polygon), texturing, rigging, animating, and bringing it into the game engine with basic forward and back controls, as well as turning left and right, and running. Whether you're new to the Blender Fo ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to do some fairly intensive sculpting on creating a rock face. This tutorial makes use of a technique very similar to sketching by layering large numbers of stroke over one another to automatically create much of the detail. W ...more

This Blender 2.5 video tutorial takes on the process of rigging the fingers to a human hand with only a few bones and constraints. This technique leaves you with fingers that are very easy to animate and control without the need for IKs or Drivers. Whether you're new to the Bl ...more

Tthis Blender 2.5 video tutorial goes through the steps needed to create custom keyboard shortcuts for changing mesh selection modes (vertex, edge, face). This allows you to very quickly switch between modes by simply pressing 1,2,3 on your keyboard. Whether you're new to the ...more

This clip demonstrates how to create a simple scene of blowing leaves. This technique makes good use of alpha mapped leaves, particle systems and a particle instance modifier to achieve the result. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer ...more

Arguably the single most important aspect to modeling is topology. This Blender 2.5 overview tutorial takes a look at the topology of the human foot, examining each of the main edgeloops, poles, etc. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D compute ...more

This Blender 2.5 Video tutorial presents an overview of using the particle hair system to create downey feathers, then using the duplifaces technique to add the longer feathers, as well as their texturing and a quick rig setup. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's po ...more

In this quick Blender 2.5 video, you'll see how to use the fly mode to position the camera. This method allows you to fly the camera around from a first-person perspective. It can aid in setting your camera angle and provide a bit of fun. Whether you're new to the Blender Foun ...more

This Blender 2.5 video tutorial offers a lesson in how to create an easy chain with nothing more than a single link, a array modifier and a curve modifier. Then see the process of using the freshly created chain in a simple scene. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see a method for generating neat-looking blueprint graphics. This tutorial includes using the Gears add-on, creating outline-only objects, setting up the World to look like a blueprint, and more. Whether you're new to the Blender Foun ...more

This Blender user's guide discusses techniques for creating hair and giving them textures and materials. The first is Mesh hair using Bezier Curves, and the second is Particle Hair. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics applica ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to use driven shape-keys to dilate the pupil of an eye. The tutorial also demonstrates how to use custom bone shapes and limiting the transformation of a bone via constraints. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's pop ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to UV unwrap a full, stylized female character. The tutorial covers creating seams, unwrapping, pinning and techniques to reduce stretching. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphi ...more

Before you can work in Blender, you'll have to learn how to work with it. Fortunately, this guide will show you everything you'll need to know to get started creating your own models within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer ...more

This clip offers instruction on how to export a model from Blender to Unity 3D and import it into a game. The tutorial also demonstrates how to bake a normal map and a color map from a highpoly model to the lowpoly counterpart, real-time display of the color/normal maps in the ...more

See how to create a 3D model of a cuddly teddy bear within Blender 2.5 with this detailed, comprehensive guide. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new ti ...more

This Blender 2.5 video tutorial tackles something that is on most people's "create -before-I-die" list, a Jedi light saber. This tutorial focuses in on the post-processing aspect by setting up a node network to create the effect of the glowing blade. Modeling is not covered in ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see a technique that makes use of array and curve modifiers to create light streaks like those you would see froma long exposure capture. The tutorial covers modifiers, materials and node compositing. Whether you're new to the Blender ...more

See how to work with Blender's Camera Fly Mode tool. The tool is a great way to help navigate your 3D scene, and also for camera placement (or any object set to be a "camera", for example a Spotlight). Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D compu ...more

This sculpter's guide presents a look at how to create reptilian scales with alpha maps as a custom brush. The tutorial makes use of both Blender 2.5 and Photoshop. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a sea ...more

This clip demonstrates the process of creating a model of a strand of Christmas lights in Blender 2.5. The tutorials covers modeling and how to use array and curve modifiers to create a strand of lights that will automatically lengthen as needed. Whether you're new to the Blen ...more

This clip demonstrates how to use the box-modeling technique to create a full character. The box-modeling technique is a good way to quickly visualize the shape of your character, rather than a creating the detail from the beginning. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundatio ...more

The snapping tool in Blender allows you to snap your mesh selection to any other vertice, edge, face, or volume. This is a very handy technique for precision modeling. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a ...more

This clip offers a look at how to create non-photorealistic cumulus clouds in Blender. These techniques are taken from a Siggraph 2009 paper titled “Painting with Objects,” created by Isaac Botkin. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer ...more

With the release of Blender 2.49, comes the ability to stencil images onto your model via projection. This tutorial goes through the process of setting up your model and it’s UVs in order to “projection paint” your textures onto the model. Whether you're new to the Blender Fou ...more

This tutorials covers how to create a more advanced type of facial rig, showing you how to use the "stretch to" constraint to give the face a more fluid way of animating. The "stretch to" is great for things like lips and eyelids (which is shown in this tutorial); in addition, ...more

This tutorial walks you through how to set up a procedural night sky with twinkling stars in Autodesk 3ds Max. You will be creating a opacity material with noise maps, and using an phase animated noise behind this to illuminate the stars. To edit the star size and brightness, ...more

This clip offers a trick for combining two rigs into one and demonstrates how to adjust the settings in the new rig to conform to the settings in the original rig. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seas ...more

This clip will walk you through the process of modeling a fairly cartoony praying mantis from a sketch. The tutorial covers the entire modeling process and some simple materials. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics applicatio ...more

This tutorial covers how to create a witch's hat in Blender using a combination of modeling and cloth simulations. Basic materials are also covered. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital ar ...more

In this tutorial, we'll take a look at a built-in script called the Solidify Selection script. This script, created by Campbell Barton, will allow you to solidify a mesh by adding a second "skin" to it based on the selected geometry. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundatio ...more

This clip will walk you through the process of modeling a pumpkin in Blender. This tutorial uses a combination of mirror and lattice modifiers to create a model that can easily be shaped without disfiguring the original mesh. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popu ...more

When you begin working with complex scenes, you'll often find yourself applying the same material to a multitude of objects, which becomes quite time consuming. By using blender's "Make Links" tool you can quickly apply a single materials to as many objects as you'd like. Whet ...more

Modeling a human hand is a challenging task. Both to create a natural-looking hand and to create one with good topology. This tutorial is an effort to address both of those issues. In this tutorial you will learn how to model a human hand with some box modeling techniques with ...more

When working in a production environment it is a common need to send a model, along with all of it's associated files off to another artist. Blender makes this quite easy by allowing you to pack (compress) all of the external data associated with the model into the .blend. Whe ...more

Blender's constraint system offers a very powerful feature-set. In this video tutorial we will look at how to rig a piston using several constraints. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital a ...more

Grouping in blender allows you to better oganize the objects within your scene by grouping them together. This is particularly use for complex scenes with large numbers of objects. It also allows easy selection for different types of objects at the same time. Whether you're ne ...more

In this tutorial, you will see how to apply a texture, in this case a subtle gradient, to the world background in Blender. Textures can vastly improve the presentation of your model. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics applic ...more

Blender’s curves tools are quite a powerful and convenient way to model all kind of things. Tubes, lathe-objects, logos, tentacles and much more. This tutorial shows you how to use the different types of curves, control-points and handles and how to use them. You will learn ho ...more