What's included
5 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentClass Experience
Would you like to build your own characters, buildings, and worlds? Do you want to learn how models for animated films and video games are built? In this introduction to Blender, we will cover the basic tools of 3D modeling in Blender and understand how to navigate the 3D space. Blender is a free open-source 3D creation software. Blender can be used for modeling, animation, game creation, and more! This class focuses on modeling but students are encouraged to explore the many tools that Blender offers. Over the course of four weeks, students will use the learned tools to build their own castle. There are no graded assignments but students may share their castle with the class and/or submit it for a grade if they like. No previous knowledge of 3D modeling or Blender is required. Students are expected to explore Blender in their own time and use the discussion board to ask questions and collaborate with classmates. The teacher can always be contacted through email or through the classroom page. Students can request a Zoom meeting with the teacher to discuss any challenges or to share their work. Students are expected to post any questions, difficulties, or projects in the classroom page; the more questions the better! This class has NO LIVE MEETINGS and has a flexible schedule; this allows students to work at any time but students are expected to complete each lesson in a week. The written lesson will be posted with guiding videos. It will include directions for tool use, and screenshot photos to illustrate each step. Navigation tips and bonus projects will also be included. Participation, especially in response to discussion questions, is expected. Unfortunately, tablets and Chromebooks do not support Blender. A laptop or desktop computer is required. A mouse with a scroll wheel is also needed.
Syllabus
5 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Blender Basics
In this lesson you'll learn how to save and share Blender files, navigate in Blender, and add basic parts and transform them. You'll also learn how to add color to the scene. You will use these tools to start building a castle.
Lesson 2:
Edit mode
This lesson teaches you how to use editing tools such as merge, extrude, and fill. You'll use these to make archways and towers for your castle.
Lesson 3:
Textures and Materials
This lesson will teach you how to add and edit text, create a texture with a 2D image, and “map” the texture to the object. These tools will be used to add detail and bring character to your castle scene.
Lesson 4:
Character modeling
This lesson teaches how to make a symetrical object - a character model. You'll learn to use modifiers to make complex tasks easier to do.
Other Details
Supply List
Blender needs to be downloaded, which is free and safe. A desktop or laptop computer is required as Blender does not work on tablets or Chromebooks. A computer mouse is also needed as it makes navigating, and using the tools much easier. Printing out the lesson is also recommended as will make it easier to follow while working on a computer.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
In San Francisco I taught after -school programs which included 3D modeling, Roblox, coding, and, Minecraft. My goal is to get your student comfortable with Blender so that they feel empowered to experiment and create their own projects. Beginner's technology courses can be daunting but this short course is a good stepping stone into longer courses.
Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$12
weekly or $45 for all content5 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 389 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 10-15