I've re-written this post four times, because I can't work out how to say the thing I want to say, and I've given up and I'm just going to ramble until I think I'm done.

While learning #Blender sometimes I'd get stuck with a particular aspect of the project I'm working on. When this happens, the usual thing is to look for some kind of guide or tutorial by searching for "(thing I'm having trouble with) Blender Tutorial". I found this sometimes limited my progress, because often the "thing I'm having trouble with" is actually unrelated to Blender entirely.

With Blender you're often able to apply the skills and knowledge from disciplines you have learned in the real world. If you have some experience in Film or Television, then you have a head start in knowing how to frame a camera and properly light a scene. If you have experience in architecture, you might have a much easier time when designing a house or building in a Blender scene. If you have a background in animation, a lot of the animating tools will make sense to you. If you can code, then the nodes system might be easier for you than it is for me.

So when you're stuck, try looking up a guide on the discipline without specifically looking for a "Blender Tutorial" on that subject. If you're struggling with animation, look up "How to Animate" or "The 12 Principles of Animation", because that base knowledge will transfer to the tools in Blender.

The things that took me the most time when making my Space Pop music video, which was my first major Blender project, were sculpting a face, and styling hair. I have never done anything with sculpting or hairdressing, but the most helpful learning materials were the ones that were made by sculptors who make physical sculptures, and real-life hairdressers. I lost weeks trying to make hair that didn't look awful. Actually, that probably had more to do with the particle simulation system that my inexperience with hair-dressing, but they both played a part!

Because once you have the hang of basic 3d modelling, you end up being drawn into these simulation systems. They promise to make things easier. Want a field of grass where every blade waves slightly in the breeze? Well, you can hand place each piece of grace in the field, and then animate each one by hand - or you can use a particle simulation to scatter the grass across the whole field in one step, and then simulate a breeze blowing them all. Well, simulations sound like a great idea!! Unfortunately, it's a whole new level of complexity with confusing attributes and settings, and if you get anything wrong, nothing works. What should have saved you time, ends up costing days of banging your head on a wall. Perhaps hand placement and individual animation of each blade wan't so bad after all...

I recommend learning Blender. It's amazingly powerful, and completely free. Be warned though, it has a reputation for breaking people. If you can persevere though, it's totally worth it.

Ramble ends. 🫶

Space Pop
~ #Dgar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztqPhHmA2YY

#B3D #music