Blender 2.91 Essential Training Online Course

Blender is a powerful 3D modeling and animation software extensively used in the entertainment industry. With the growing demand for skilled Blender professionals, several online courses have emerged to cater to the needs of learners worldwide. These courses offer a comprehensive understanding of Blender’s functionalities, covering topics from basic modeling to advanced animation techniques. This article aims to provide an overview of some of the best Blender courses available online, highlighting their features, pricing, and user reviews.

Here’s a look at the Best Blender Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

Blender 2.91 Essential Training Online Course

1. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners by GameDev.tv Team, Rick Davidson, Grant Abbitt (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

The Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners is an online course taught by the GameDev.tv team, Rick Davidson, and Grant Abbitt. It is a beginner-level course that teaches learners how to use Blender to create stunning 3D models for video games, 3D printing, and more. Currently, the course is being remastered in Blender 3.2, and both the new and original content are available. Once the remaster is complete, students will be able to access the original 2.8 content in a separate archive course.Blender is a free-to-use 3D production suite that enables users to produce AAA-quality models that can be exported to game engines, 3D printers, or other software. The course is project-based, and learners will be able to apply their new skills immediately to real 3D models. The course also includes project files, additional references, and resources, as well as talking-head videos, powerful diagrams, quality screencasts, and more. Learners will follow a three-step process for each model they build. First, they will be challenged to build the entire model themselves. Second, they will be shown step-by-step how to build it. Finally, they will apply their knowledge regularly. For learners who want a more specific focus, there are other Blender courses available that focus on characters and environments. For those who want to bring their models to life in a video game engine, there is the Complete Unity Developer 3D course.The course is suitable for complete beginners, artists, and coders. The creators are qualified and experienced with modelling and coding and are able to explain complex concepts clearly. By the end of the course, learners will be confident in the basics of 3D modelling and rendering and eager to learn more. Learners will get full lifetime access for a single one-off fee.

2. Creating 3D environments in Blender by Rob Tuytel, CG Obaid (Obaidur Rahman) (Udemy)

The Creating 3D Environments in Blender course is taught by instructors Rob Tuytel and CG Obaid (Obaidur Rahman). The course is designed to teach participants how to use Blender 3.2 and explore Geometry Nodes to create visually stunning 3D environments. The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with experience in Blender 2.81. The course content is updated regularly, with the latest version containing 30+ hours of video content and fully updated course material recorded in Blender 3.2.

The course aims to teach participants how to create beautiful 3D environments step-by-step, providing guidance on the basics for those new to Blender. The course covers everything from grass to building creation, including creating trees, building a ruined landscape, blending displaced materials, creating a river scene, and more.

The course includes a lot of content, such as free content from the Polyhaven CC0 platform, which provides textures, models, and HDRi’s for everyone to use. The course also includes exclusive content such as photo-scanned rocks, tree barks, wooden beams, plants, ruins, and a castle, as well as photo references, 125 pages of documentation for the introductory chapter, and all Blender scene files (Blender 3.2).

The course is divided into eight chapters, covering topics such as Blender basics, creating a grass scene, creating a forest path scene, creating a ruined scene, farmhouse river scene, sunset castle scene, and mountain ruin scene. The course offers a complete A to Z on 3D crafting, providing step-by-step guidance to help participants with the basics so that they can feel comfortable using the software.

The instructor, Rob Tuytel, is a environment designer with a passion for the Dutch 17th century and medieval architecture. He is co-founder of Polyhaven and has been creating 3D environments for 15 years.

3. Blender Character Creator for Video Games Design by GameDev.tv Team, Rick Davidson, Grant Abbitt (Udemy)

The Blender Character Creator for Video Games Design course, instructed by the GameDev.tv team, Rick Davidson, and Grant Abbitt, teaches students how to create 3D video game characters using Blender. The course covers all aspects of character creation, from modeling to painting to animating. It is a sequel to the popular Blender Character Creator course and is compatible with newer versions of Blender. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to take the course, and the instructors guide them through each step of the process while also challenging them to implement concepts on their own. By the end of the course, students will have created a highly detailed character for their portfolio and will know how to turn that character into an asset ready for a video game engine.

The course is entirely project-based, and students apply their new skills immediately to real 3D models. Each model built follows a specific process, with students being challenged to build it themselves, shown step-by-step how to build it, encouraged to apply their knowledge regularly, and supported throughout their journey. The course includes project files, additional references, and resources to ensure students never get stuck. Talking-head videos, powerful diagrams, quality screencasts, and other resources are also available.

The course is a one-time fee, and all students have access to the Q&A section where instructors, teaching assistants, and the community are ready to help answer questions and support students’ success. Additionally, an optional, free community site is available to share games and 3D models and connect with other students.

The course covers different sections, including Introduction & Setup, Mech Master, Modular Vehicles, Blocking Out, Detailed Sculpting, Retopology, UV Unwrapping, Baking, Painting, Animation, Rendering, Updates and Important Messages, and Continuing Your GameDev Journey. It provides a comprehensive education in character creation and is suitable for beginners and experienced artists and coders.

4. The Blender 2.8 Encyclopedia by Lee Salvemini, Chris Plush, CG Masters (Udemy)

The Blender 2.8 Encyclopedia is a comprehensive training course for Blender, a free and open source 3D production suite. The course, created specifically for Udemy, covers beginner-to-advanced topics, with an emphasis on providing practical examples and explanations for the tools and techniques used. The course includes example demos and step-by-step projects, along with Blender files and other resources. Unlimited support is provided through the Q&A section of each lecture.

The course covers a full overview of Blender’s interface, navigation and editing tools, mesh modeling, drivers, constraints, modifiers, skeleton armatures and rigging, animation tools, shaders and materials, UV mapping, cameras, and both Cycles and Eevee renderers. The course is broken down into sections, with a focus on different aspects of 3D production, such as modeling and animation. The course also includes a project in which students create an isometric living room in Cycles.

5. Blender Environment Artist: Create 3D Worlds by GameDev.tv Team, Rick Davidson, Grant Abbitt (Udemy)

The Blender Environment Artist: Create 3D Worlds course is designed to teach students how to create beautiful and unique environments for video games, animations, or portfolio pieces. The course is suitable for beginners as well as experienced environment artists who want to improve their skills. It uses Blender 3.1 and covers aspects such as modelling, sculpting, texturing, lighting, and rendering. The course is project-based, with challenges and solutions provided at each step to ensure that students are actively learning. The assets created in the course are game-ready and modular, allowing for use in multiple scenes.

The course includes lifetime access to all materials and project files, as well as additional references and resources. The instructors are qualified and experienced in modelling and coding, making complex concepts easy to understand. The course content includes 11 sections, such as Introduction & Setup, Modular Castle, Spooky Corridor – UV Mapping, Rocks & Trees, and Lighting & Rendering.

Overall, the Blender Environment Artist course is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their 3D environment art skills. It provides a comprehensive and hands-on approach to learning, with practical applications for use in the gaming and animation industries.

6. Learn 3D Animation – The Ultimate Blender Guide by Alex Cordebard (Udemy)

The Learn 3D Animation – The Ultimate Blender Guide course, taught by Alex Cordebard, offers a comprehensive guide to learning 3D animation and modeling using the popular program, Blender. The course is designed for beginners, with a project-based approach that covers the basics and more advanced aspects of 3D creation. The course concludes with a full animation project, providing students with the skills and confidence to create their own projects from start to finish.

The course begins with the fundamentals of 3D and animation, covering navigation and use of the different tools in Blender. Students will learn to create their very first cartoon character, and then animate it to completion. The course concludes with the ability to create original artwork and animations, with lifetime access to the course materials.

3D art is becoming increasingly popular in production studios and freelance work. The course provides students with a useful and powerful skillset, enabling them to create amazing artwork using Blender, a free and powerful program. With over 100 lectures, the Learn 3D Animation – The Ultimate Blender Guide course is suitable for anyone interested in learning the art of 3D graphics, regardless of their prior experience.

The course is broken down into several sections, including an introduction to Blender, getting started with Blender, intermediate techniques, modeling, sculpting, simulations, and a full animation project. Through project-based learning, students will master the art of 3D and develop their own impressive work.

7. Learn Blender 3D Modeling for Unity Video Game Development by Billy McDaniel (Udemy)

Course Title: Learn Blender 3D Modeling for Unity Video Game Development

This course is designed for Unity developers who are interested in expanding their skills to include 3D modeling in Blender. The course covers topics such as creating and editing props, designing levels, applying materials, and creating simple animations.

The course begins with an Introduction section that provides an overview of Blender and Unity. The Controls section covers keyboard shortcuts and basic terms that are essential for navigating Blender. The Interface section explains the different windows in Blender and how to customize them.

The Object Mode section covers how to select and manipulate objects in Blender. The Edit Mode: Selection Options section explains how to select vertices, edges, and faces in Blender. The Edit Mode: Tools section covers how to extrude, scale, and rotate objects in Blender. The Edit Mode: Functions section explains how to use Blender’s tools for modeling and editing.

The course also covers Common Modifiers and Popular Add-Ons that can improve productivity when working with Blender. The Common Props section explains how to create basic props for video game development. Textures, Materials and UV Mapping are essential topics that are covered in their own section.

The course covers basic animation techniques, including how to create keyframes, and assigning uvs. The final section, What’s Next? provides resources for students who want to continue their learning.

In summary, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to Blender for Unity developers. With a focus on practical skills and techniques, the course covers essential topics such as modeling, texturing, and animation.

8. Learn 3D Animation – The Ultimate NEW BLENDER 2.8 Course A-Z by Alex Cordebard (Udemy)

The Learn 3D Animation – The Ultimate NEW BLENDER 2.8 Course A-Z is a comprehensive course that aims to teach beginners and those familiar with Blender 2.7 how to use the new Blender 2.8 to create 3D animations. The course starts with the basics of Blender 2.8 and explores intermediate skills to help learners create their own animations with ease. By the end of the course, learners will be able to create full-blown 3D animations, from creating their characters to rigging, animating, and adding sound.

The course offers various projects and assignments for learners to create innovative and impressive animations that showcase their newly acquired skills. With over 110 lectures, this course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn 3D graphics, regardless of their experience level.

Blender 2.8 is a free and powerful program that offers a range of tools and features to enhance the learning experience. It is a useful skill to have, especially for those interested in 3D arts, as it is becoming more popular in production studios and freelance work. The course aims to equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to create amazing artwork in the 3D space.

The course content is divided into several sections, covering topics such as Getting Started with Blender, Modeling a Bridge, Ball Animation, Sculpting in Blender, Rigid Body Physics, Final Featured Animation, and a Bonus Section on creating Character Sets. With lifetime access, learners can revisit the course content and improve their skills at their own pace.

Overall, this course is ideal for those looking to learn 3D animation or upgrade their skills using the new Blender 2.8. It provides a step-by-step approach to learning with practical projects and assignments to help learners gain confidence and showcase their work.

9. Learn Blender The Right Way! by Gustavo Rosa (Udemy)

The Learn Blender The Right Way! course is designed to teach individuals how to use Blender, an open source 3D modeling and animation software. The course is aimed at beginners and covers the basics of Blender’s interface and fundamental concepts. Students will learn how to create and transform objects, use polygonal modeling tools to create their own objects, and map, texture and create materials of various types, including PBR materials with PBR textures. They will also learn how to lighten and render scenes using EEVEE and Cycles, and how to illuminate scenes using HDR images. Additionally, the course covers how to configure hierarchies between objects and create simple animations. All topics are covered from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. The course is divided into several sections, including Interface and Basic Commands, Polygonal Modeling, Subdivision, Render, Data Blocks, UV Mapping, Texture Painting, Snap, origin and parenting, Introduction to animation, Robot Project – Modeling and Materials, Robot Project – Rigging, and Robot Project – Animation and Render. Overall, the Learn Blender The Right Way! course is a comprehensive introduction to Blender that covers everything from the basics to more advanced techniques, and is suitable for anyone interested in 3D modeling and animation.

10. Blender 2.8 Game Character Creation by Darrin Lile (Udemy)

The Blender 2.8 Game Character Creation Course, taught by Darrin Lile, provides an opportunity to learn how to create game characters using Blender 2.8 and Unity. The course covers various aspects of the process, including 3D modeling, UV mapping, texturing and sculpting, rigging, animation, and character set-up in Unity.

In the modeling section, students will learn how to create a Lego character by building its individual pieces and creating a unified UV map. They will then use Blender’s texture painting and sculpting tools to add details to the character’s clothes and hair. The section also includes a tutorial on baking a normal map in Blender and applying textures to the model.

The rigging section covers building the character’s rig from scratch, starting with a single bone. Students will learn how to create a Foot Roll Rig and use Blender’s new process for creating Custom Shapes to control the character’s movements.

The animation section introduces a new technique utilizing Blender 2.8’s Grease Pencil tools to animate both a 2D drawn face and a 3D body simultaneously. It includes tutorials on creating Idle, Run, and Jump animations for the character.

The course also covers exporting the character, animations, and textures from Blender to the Unity game engine. Students will learn how to set up the character in the game and use Unity’s Humanoid Rig system to retarget third-party animations onto the character. The final section includes a tutorial on writing a simple C# script to incorporate 2D and 3D animations.

The Blender 2.8 Game Character Creation Course is suitable for anyone interested in learning how to create game characters using Blender 2.8. The course is broken down into different sections, including Introduction, Modeling the Character, UV Mapping, Texture Painting and Sculpting, Rigging the Character, Animating the Character, and Character Set-up in Unity.