3D modelling is a key building block for modern 3D games and 3D animations. But there are a few things to keep in mind while building your first 3D model from home. This will serve as a good starting point for your journey as a 3D artist.

As aspiring 3D artists, diving straight into the nitty-gritty of 3D modelling can be daunting. It’s best to start slow and sane. Rushing into things will never produce great results. It could instead cause frustration and lead you to give up!

So how do you begin?

Here are some tips to ensure your journey as a 3D artist begins comfortably!

#1. Feel and Act Like a Professional

Don’t start with the idea that you’re just a beginner. Thinking you’re new and don’t know enough can cause as much frustration as rushing into complex things too soon.

You no longer WANT to be a 3D artist – you ARE one. This is the best thing you can do for yourself as you begin.

Think of yourself as a professional already. Let it seep into your work and methods of working and you’d already feel accomplished enough to get things going.

#2. Keep Things Simple

Remember this is your first attempt at making a 3D model. Not last.

In order for your future attempts to be highly successful, it’s important to not overwhelm yourself the very first time you begin making a model. Simplicity is key. The important part is getting things done and producing something at the end of it. Aiming too high and failing is very likely to cause you to lose motivation quickly.

This is also the time when you get to actually work on your skills and build new ones. Honing them now will pave the way for better and more impressive creations in the future.

Start with objects as simple as a blacksmith’s anvil. Give yourself time to get accustomed to the basics. Don’t jump to complex shapes or character designs already. Think of this as learning a new language. There’s no moving forward until you’re done learning the alphabet.

Designing smaller and simpler objects will cement your confidence in yourself as a modeller. You’d begin to get comfortable with the intricacies of 3D modelling. And soon you’d find yourself taking on bigger tasks, creating more complex models. But this is a journey. And it takes time. It’s imperative you don’t rush it.

#3. Be Inspired.

Let’s face it. This is a highly creative profession. And creativity demands constant inputs on your part in order to stay alive and flourish.

Look at your surroundings. Read more. Observe more. Cultivate new ideas. Start with what works for you. Are you inspired by stories? Does nature and its elements inspire you? Is travelling at the heart of your motivation? You know best what gets you in the mode. Start with that.

Follow your favourite artists and learn from what they do. Social media platforms are full of artists showcasing their amazing creations.

But don’t get blinded by what they make. Your favourite artist probably took years to get where he/she is right now. So take what you get from their work and use your skills to create what you want to. Remember – simplicity is key.

#4. Choose a 3D Model Software

There’s a wide range of tools and software readily available on the internet for you to use. But given the abundance of such tools, deciding which one suits you best can be a tough task.

The key is to feel at ease with the tool you’re using. Whether it’s open-source 3D modelling tools like Blender and Sketchup or the industrial powerhouse MAYA. As a beginner, you’d have to get to grips with the software of your choice – understand its features and functionalities well enough to work comfortably.

Check out Part 1 of our “Make your first 3D Model from the comfort of your home series”. Choose what suits you and your skills best and get going!

#5. Plan, Plan, Plan

Make a plan. Organise your work. This may sound exceptionally boring but it’s central to actually getting things done and not leave them hanging.

Without a plan, it’s very possible to get stuck at some point or worse – not know where or how to begin or which things to do first. Write down your ideas and the work you need to do to bring them to life.

Do you need to choose the software first? And learn how to use it? Or do you need to narrow down your ideas to one simple thing and work with that? What is the minimum you need to do to get a working prototype of your model?

Figure that out and then stick to the plan. Not only will it help you achieve your goals faster, but it’ll also smoothen the process to a great degree.

#6. Join Popular Forums And Communities

This is the best thing creative professionals can get in the 21st century – lots of online support and learning opportunities! Communities like CGSociety conduct contests and workshops and even let members build themselves a portfolio.

Your work as a beginner 3D modeller will become fast-paced and more confident with a humongous and vibrant online community supporting it. Not only can you socialise with other budding artists, but you can also learn a lot of new skills from seasoned professionals who often showcase their work and share their journey on such forums. You can display your work on such communities as well and get constant feedback and constructive criticism to further improve.

Start Making Your 3D Model Already!

Forget everything you just read in this post.

And start making your first 3D model already!

Starting is the most important thing to do. Everything else will fall into place once you begin making your 3D model. The worst thing you can do is to keep researching, getting stuck between software to work with and procrastinate the actual work.

It’s only when you get started, that you’ll be able to build up the momentum needed to learn new skills and create something impressive. Learn 3D Modelling online and kickstart your endeavour! If you get stuck somewhere, you can always google it or ask a relevant community online.