Learning Blender - A step by step beginner Tutorial for 3D Artists

Hi everyone, it's been a while but today I am happy to share a 2 hour and step by step Blender beginners course. All the way from basic navigation, setting up shortcuts, installing and mastering free and useful plugins, modifiers, tools over to modelling a 20mm Vulcan cannon round at the end to make it worthwhile to sit through the 2 hours. Oh and as well as making a render for it. 📸✨
If you are coming from 3ds Max like I did then you will find a few comparisons and references I make to it. Now that this beginners introduction is done you can expect more tutorials to come out in the future. All relevant links at the bottom of the description. Don't forget to subscribe! 🙂
You can buy this tutorial together with the free flashbang tutorial if you want to buy me a coffee
chamferzone.gumroad.com/l/BlenderForBeginnersTipJarEdition
00:00 Intro
4:28 Basic Navigation
5:12 Perspective and Ortho views
7:42 Add new meshes/Primitives
8:19 Collections/Folders
8:48 Deleting objects
9:06 Quick look at the Edit mode
9:45 Layout and Modeling viewports
12:19 Downloading a few excellent free Plugins
16:38 Installing Plugins
19:27 QBlocker Plugin (for creating Primitives faster)
22:48 Select and deselect objects
24:23 Move, rotate and scale
25:02 Increasing the undo steps
26:48 Slowing actions down for more precision
28:00 Updating Blender to a newer version release
29:46 Wireframe Mode and putting it on a shortcut
31:27 CAD Transform Plugin
33:28 Object and Edit mode
34:05 Subdivide
34:19 Vertex, Edge, Face Mode
34:53 Loop and Ring selections
35:59 Element Mode
36:34 Dissolving Edges
37:32 Vertex to Edge connection
38:00 Dissolving Faces
38:42 Fill Mode/Bridge Mode
39:31 Backface Culling
39:52 Collapsing geometry
40:45 Target welding
41:14 Maxivzs interactive tools
41:48 Quick Favorites
42:19 Putting Select, Move, Rotate and Scale on Q,W,E,R Shortcuts
45:08 Extrude
46:40 Aligning geometry on X,Y or Z
48:45 Xray Mode
49:50 Inset
51:00 Bevel
52:05 Knife/Cut tool
52:50 Tilde key - Quick ortho view menu
53:59 Edge Constraint mode
55:06 Instances and copies in Edit Mode
56:07 Separate/Detach elements
56:26 Changing the origin/pivot point on our object
57:43 Instances and copies in Object Mode
01:00:00 Smoothing
01:01:09 Attaching Objects together
01:02:49 Separating several elements
01:04:07 Isolation mode
01:04:30 Material Editor and assigning materials
01:07:31 Copying materials from object to object
01:08:11 Working on multiple objects in edit mode
01:09:23 Boolean Modifier
01:11:41 Bevel modifier and Bevel weights / making highpoly geometry
01:13:32 Subdivision Surface / Turbosmooth
01:15:48 Edit vs. Object mode again
01:17:34 Wireframe Mode full
01:21:05 Mirror Modifier
01:24:13 Modifier hierarchy
01:26:13 Solidify/Shell Modifier
01:27:31 Boolean operations with JMesh Plugin
01:28:54 Bevel with JMesh Plugin
01:30:15 Primitive Mode & Boolean operations with JMesh Plugin
01:35:48 Mirroring with JMesh Plugin
01:36:48 Array modifier with JMesh Plugin
01:37:31 Circle Array modifier with JMesh Plugin
01:38:24 Reset X Form
01:39:34 Flipping Normals
01:40:39 Smart Extrude / Extrude Manifold
01:42:11 Curves, Shapes or Splines
01:46:17 Mesh to curve with JMesh Plugin
01:46:52 Text in Blender
01:48:04 Let's model a 20mm Vulcan Cannon Round 💣💥
01:48:23 Units setup in Blender
01:48:33 Adding a reference image and scaling it to the right size
01:49:49 Measure tool
01:50:05 Loop Cut tool
01:52:36 Orbit around selection
02:01:37 Center origin pivot points to multiple objects
02:01:44 Ridgid body and gravity drop
02:04:28 Visual Transform
02:04:41 Adding lights and adjusting their properties
02:05:16 Shading Mode and adding a HDRI image
02:06:03 Scene properties (Ambient Occlusion, Surface Reflections etc.)
02:08:57 Camera settings and making a render
Free Plugins appearing in this Tutorial: (Installation shown in the tutorial)
maxivz interactivetools github.com/maxivz/interactivetoolsblender
CAD Transform Plugin gumroad.com/l/nQVcS
QBlocker gumroad.com/l/goev (You don't need this plugin anymore, in the latest Blender Versions we now have an equal tool that comes with Blender by default. You can access it here: i.imgur.com/h9MJ9HM.png)
TexTools renderhjs.net/textools/blender/
UV Squares github.com/Radivarig/UvSquares
JMesh tools github.com/jayanam/jmesh-tools
Reference image 20mm Vulcan Round:
imgur.com/u5WnKeN
ChamferZone Community links:
All tutorials chamferzone.com/
discord.gg/s98PbNk7pM - Join our awesome 3D Art community
Twitter ChamferZone/
Facebook ChamferZone/
Artstation www.artstation.com/timbergholz/

[@dmiesterwzere06]

Mate, I have to say, having someone who is an industry professional teaching Blender is simply amazing. While other youtubers are excellent, you show and demonstrate fundamental understanding that pours from the screen because you know what to change in Blender to suit your skill set. I have used Blender for a long time and the fact you have come in with a few months experience to reveal a side of Blender I have never seen before made me feel like a beginner all over again in the best way possible. Please keep doing tutorials for Blender and I wish you all the best because you deserve it. Cheers!!

[@ChamferZone]

Thank you :) Really appreciate your comment and already working on the next Blender course for my gumroad marketplace now. There'll be a trailer for once it's done and it's going to be great. The previous tutorials should serve a good base to take it to the next level from there. I will have more free tutorials in the future too of course.

[@jonbathurst4936]

@@ChamferZone cant effing wait

[@cinarsinan]

This comment encouraged me to watch this tutorial

[@lucasmooney549]

😊

[@lucasmooney549]

😊

[@visaldevdas6482]

I used to recommend your 3DS Max tutorials to everyone. They were the best tutorials I could find. Now we've got blender tutorials!!!

[@anhquan-3dgameartist550]

Been waiting for this for a while. Thank you so much Tim!

[@bemgldn8926]

Beautiful work! Just beautiful, thank you for taking the time. We appreciate all the effort.

[@cyberneticbeard]

Just when I was thinking it's time to make a switch for Blender, my favorite 3D tutor comes up with a Blender tutorial. We're lucky to have you Tim, keep up inspiring and being awesome!

[@APa98]

Holy hell, i love your tutorials. Nice to see you using blender!

[@andre.inojosa]

Hi Tim, This is by far one of the best videos for learning B3D I've seen. Thanks a lot!

[@alicankurtulus6540]

Glad to see you back Tim!

[@dazecm]

Quite possibly the best and most thorough tutorial for Blender newcomers on the KZbins. Brilliantly structured and awesome KZbin timeline links to make navigation easy. Thanks Tim.

[@adrianschwartz1990]

This is why I love creative jobs, you will never stop learning. Every tool is a Hammer 🙃 Great suprise for 2021. 🍾

[@toddspeck9415]

I just learned so many things watching this lesson. You are an Excellent Teacher. Thank you so much Tim.

[@mix3r11]

Hah nice. This what I was looking for. Thanks Tim.

[@arturglushko8850]

Great work, Tim! Seems like i really needed som evideo like this to get enough of courage for learning Blender after 3Ds Max

[@FlavioDiniz]

Hi Tim ! Just want to say I love you! If I ever start learning blender, this is the first video I'll be watching ! For now I'll stick to Cinema4D, since I use it everyday at my job :)

[@sandred2814]

Great, Tim Bergholz, thank you so much. Amazing,incredible and quality content. Many thanks.

[@jujuboohoo]

Wow, man. I learned Max by following your grenade vdos. I started using Blender couple years ago and it's an awesome 3d software. Your channel is going to blow up if you do blender tuts.

[@RegisNo1]

Can't wait for more tutorials for blender! Your mk2 grenade and ak were my first 3ds max tutorials ever back in late 2015. Now I work in gamedev myself, so I got quite sentiment for your tutorials :)

[@ChamferZone]

That's awesome to hear! Congrats on that I am glad if my tutorials could help along the way 😀

[@sasho3d]

thanks Tim, always practical, informative and fun!

[@juanseverino5651]

Hey Man! I love your tutorials they are pretty excellent and Informative. I did the Mech tutorial Using my own texture with the desert camo in 3ds Max and I loved it, I,m glad that you doing this blender tutorial. Thanks

[@ivanwazowsky2225]

this tutorial is pure GOLD!!

[@burnieking1401]

Mate, I'm glad I found this, thank you so much, a brilliant tutorial for Blender, I feel a lot more confident with my first few projects now.

[@benispoder1x701]

Watching tutorials over and over and not learning but hell that was a bomb of knowledge hahhaa thank you so much for the great explanations examples and everything, rly learned alot

[@MoonbiscuitSims]

Just finished the bevel section and i've spent today doing this slowly, it is such a fantastic tutorial, thank you

[@toannguyenvan1282]

the tone and control of ur voice says "I know my sNice tutorialt!". Good stuff buddy.

[@felipeolguera]

This is worth my time, thank you sir!

[@eobiri]

This is the best new year Gift 🎉🙏. Thank you!

As always, thanks a lot!

[@vasilgenchev6287]

You make the best tutorials ! Thank you and keep up the good work :)

[@ChamferZone]

Thanks for watching Vasil, glad you find them useful! :)

[@utanfernandes]

Great Mr ChamferZone, im studying and learning 3DS MAX, Blender is very nice to learn.

[@Damian_h]

thanks sensei when u edit the key the same as 3d max u made me feel i was in home again. Gonna keep editing all to my preference to fast forward learning this software. And keep watching ur tuts.

[@ChamferZone]

One thing I'd like to add is that I have never been a friend of all the 3DsMax vs blender quarrels going on - it does have some funny memes though 😂 Both are excellent pieces of software so I don't look at it from "which side are you on perspective" but more from an angle of what makes a good software worth making tutorials for and how good is it for doing the actual modeling work. It's a win win for both sides. I love 3ds Max and Blender. From my perspective I see Blender only getting better from where it's now and ultimately the end result matters. In general what can be achieved with 3ds Max can also be done with Blender and vice versa. One question that gets asked a lot is whether it's worth learning Blender over 3DsMax (or Maya) if you want to make an entry into the game industry where many studios are still using Autodesk products for the most parts. I'd say that if you get really good with one software it won't be hard to understand the other and that's also why I have tutorials for both. It will expand your horizon to be able to compare them and make you an even better 3D Artist. Another thing is that in most companies I ever worked for it would not make a difference what software I use unless perhaps you make very unique objects that require certain tools that have been specifically written for only one software. Even then there's a good chance you could do the main work in Blender, import the result into the next software and do the final export from there. At the end 3ds Max or Blender is just a tool like a hammer that allows us to forge 3D Art with it 🔨

[@romolo1990]

I am very happy when I read balanced and objective comments, i've learned a lot from your 3DsMax tutorials and masterclasses and, sure, i'll do with blender ones. Thank you in advance for your excellent job and keep rocking!

[@comedyguy911]

Could you possibly also add/upload your shortcut file as well?

[@ChamferZone]

@@comedyguy911 Sure, gonna do that later the day and put it into the description :) But if you follow the tutorial all the way you will have 1:1 the same shortcuts too. A few shortcuts are also assigned to plugins so you would need to install those for it to work. Again all explained in the tutorial.

[@zaparine]

@@ChamferZone I used 3ds max first for like 8 years then switched to Blender and found out there’s a lot of awesome features that make modeling more convenient in Blender than 3ds max like hitting G twice and then C to enable edge constraints that can go beyond the original mesh which 3ds max cannot do. Or the Blender’s Shrinkwarp modifier that’s a thousand times better than the Conform tool in 3ds max. That being said there are still lots of things that 3ds max doing better than Blender like the FFD modifier or Include/Exclude lights etc. All in all I still use both 3ds max and Blender by switching around between these 2 to get the best out of each program. p.s I can’t thanks you enough for making that killer AKM tutorial. I became good at 3ds max because of your awesome tutorials!

[@toddspeck9415]

I am slowly getting Blender dialed in. I am so impressed with Blender. I am also blown away when I draw up a model in MOI, Moment of Inspiration. And send it over to Blender. And then I coat it with the red gloss matcap....oooooo. It looks so radical. Wonder if you tried MOI? Thanks again Tim.

[@mauerchisp4814]

Polygons are polygons! I really love these, and the ones coming! I can't wait! I'm still learning, so I find your videos super educative! Hope you're doing good, Tim! Cheers! HAPPY NEW YEAR! (I"m late :c) P.S. Edge flow makes my brain itch sometimes :c

[@cerqueirapv]

Hi Tim! 3D professional as always! The best 3D instructor I've ever had ... Explain exactly what else we need to know about the content very wisely! Amazing! Congratulations again and be with us always. Thanks!

[@ChamferZone]

Glad to hear it Alessandro! Thank you and more tutorials coming soon!! 🤠

[@philippwelsing9108]

1.000 thanks for doing this. Incredible. I am speechless.

[@chenchen1580]

Your efforts, your work,can be seen in us.

[@mrkoddy]

You are one the best teachers i have ever had thank you!

[@vanessarayee]

went through when I first started video editing, now it's taking a whole new switch and learning soft will only boost my courage for the

[@l.b.3416]

This is easily the best blender tutorial I found on KZbin ... German quality!👌

[@ashraf_dz4769]

Welcome Back Master ❤️

How convenient, I just changed jobs and have to learn Blender, then this comes out a day later ! Thanks a lot

[@ChamferZone]

That's great timing indeed! Glad to hear it :)

[@pelakalion]

Amazing video, it's a mine of gold. Thank you very much :D

[@phillipserraima]

great tutorial! well explained and a nice all around for important tools . thanks!

[@HONDOMACLEAN83]

Tim, Thanks a lot for this, was such a great help. Great job.

[@SkyMatter02]

Thank you a lot for this video, it really helped me getting my hands on Blender, amzing work, as always !

[@Bubiinzzz]

Super! Thank you Tim :)

[@Chris-bc9lu]

this video intro is fantastic!

[@sperglordsama412]

Thank you very much for this lesson, I'm truly grateful.

[@BlenderFan]

Thanks for showing this very helpful tutorial and happy blending with blender.

[@UgurOren]

It is absolute tutorial, you are amazing, thank you very much

[@asiawilk]

this is the best tutorial ive ever seen thank you

[@lolmao500]

Damn thats a very good video for basics. I wish this existed when I started blender.

[@zhang9508]

master piece

[@flyingart.budapest]

Thanks. It was also super useful to fix a few things.👍

[@rarepepe-]

Best tutorial I've ever watched please do more

[@nightblade178]

That smart extrude blew my mind 🤯 Extruding inside before was a pain in the ass

[@mrbreezybright]

Thank you very much Sir!! I am so ready to carry on with this.

[@thuydung6276]

Amazing video! Thank you very much!

[@jezmink]

This is a really great tutorial nice easy pace, I like! Thankyou.

[@sohailwazir7680]

Heads down a new legend teacher is on board. thank you, sir.

[@socalledservant]

Installed, everything works, thanks!

[@888marin888]

That is pur Golden Gold ! Thank you !

[@ChamferZone]

Glad you like it and thanks for watching!

[@antipanda7172]

oh its help me a lot, thanks man .

[@thevirtualchurchho]

Thanks for the education, great work! Gracias!

[@ViperVGP]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks a lot!!

[@byjohn1402]

I started to follow/watch this video, and quickly realized I should have paid more attention to the title specifically the "for 3D Artists" part at the end. I thought it would be for total beginners, but you are going at it from the perspective of transitioning from other 3D software to Blender, which is great, just not for me, as I'm struggling with the basics!!

[@NayLinHtaik]

Thank you so much for the awesome tutorial :)

[@Coslerka]

Oh,my next quest))thanks you🌺

[@mefistafree6031]

i finished your AK47 tutorial with blender it was challenging but the result was good I am glad to see you using blender

[@rivers8517]

Great tutorial. Thanks for doing it. LIked and subbed!

[@jonathanxdoe]

SO happy to see you in Blender!

[@ChamferZone]

😁 Well.. I don't know how to say it but yes.. Blender is awesome! 🤩

[@aaashiet]

saved my life

[@Julian-ws7hv]

Mega, wie immer! Man merkt dass du dir übertrieben viel Mühe gibst, alleine schon wenn man in die Beschreibung schaut.. Wenn du einen Kurs in Blender machst wird dieser direkt gekauft! Mach weiter so.

[@foist101]

I've used Maya for a very long time but the business model changes convinced me it was time to look elsewhere at least for personal work. Thanks Tim.

[@daadood100]

Excellent Tutorial, it is one of the least that is worth to watch whole two hours, good job

[@younghogey5254]

Thank you so much for this video

[@nachoyague]

Great, Tim!

[@ChamferZone]

Thanks Nacho! 😀

[@leonciocastillo6433]

You're teaching how to fish instead of giving fish. Great work, keep teaching this way. Thank you for this awesome tutotial!

[@juanjosegarcialucas7418]

Thank you, very productive 17mins of learning. TNice tutorials program is super intimidating from soone who doesn't even play an instrunt.

[@airdinsh]

Ich hätte wahrscheinlich jede Hülse und Kugel Einzel platziert, aber dank physics kann man die Objekte einfach „fallen lassen“... echt der Knaller... und das endresultat ist einfach unglaublich gut geworden... und das in der kurzen Zeit... einfach wow!!!

[@Igoreshkin]

Really helpfull video. Thank you.

[@ZAHS_DX]

My student license for Max ran out, so this will be super helpful in getting back in to 3D modeling

[@TLnetpilot]

Man you are God I watched nonstop all video

[@BH-og9tp]

very helpful tutorial! thanks a lot.

[@calebbrazeau4597]

Your tutorial has made my first hurdle a tiny speed bump, hopefully with the second and third speed bumps will also be tiny, because of your humble and generous nature as a 3d artist of your caliber would "hopefully" port the 3d art into a real-time stress testing simulation to enable dynamic utilization internally and externally via technologies that take easy advantage of these resources makes your generous offerings mucho, mucho jaw dropping OHhhh Yeeaah. I believe it can be said from all of us thank you very much and to pay-it-forward in way that you have done for us or at least from me.

[@victorvictor369]

Wow👍👍

[@koblitskiy]

Thank you!!! 😁

[@brandonmoss7976]

I enjoy your accent and your English is superb! heck it even sounds better than a lot of native English speaking people 👍🏾🔥

[@hirenpatel7274]

Thanks for tutorial

[@hiscraft]

LETS GOOOOO

[@davidabraham8116]

Big fan of u SIR. I am a Maya user, i never used Blender but still i watched this full tutorial only for u and it was great. I loved the animation of Bullets and i guess i will install Blender to follow u in creating that Render. Extremely excited for more tutorials. ❤❤❤❤

[@ChamferZone]

Glad to hear it David!!

[@NikolaevAlexander]

Oh cool you finally switched :D

[@rDjIceman]

MAN!!! IN RUSSIA FROM LOVE! You GOOD MAN! CG Rush send his regards!!!!😄🖐

[@mezzdezz3437]

Hi sr, great tutorial and thank you very much for this! you can try to Align geometry on X,Y or Z by doing this: go to add-ons , check 3D Viewport Pie Menus - check Edit Align Pie. With this pie Menu just press Alt+x and check the options you want. Hope this can be usefull for you.

[@dude1546]

Finally!

[@Zone_Stomper]

Great work. Subscribed and clanged the bell icon. Hopefully, more of your tutorials will involve Blender.

[@ChamferZone]

Glad to hear it and more Blender tutorials coming soon! :)

[@daironperezfrias7819]

ChamferZone i love the way you make texturing, i like if you make more video of texturin in Substance Painter !!! Wellcome Back to 2021

[@attentivenettle7643]

why didn't i watch this when i was a beginner? man you are really underrated

[@mimARC06]

Tim u r great and humble man..I come here from 3ds max..thanx indeed.. I like your introduction 3ds max also blender..

[@ChamferZone]

Thank you mimarc, I am happy to hear it! More tutorials coming soon-ish :)

[@mimARC06]

@@ChamferZone I cant wait for new ones..thanx again ..take care of you

[@adarshwhynot]

Cool :D

[@mellowbug]

Set myself as goal making a beamng mod, looked at lots of video but this would defenitly be the best tut video ive watched. Very clearly explained, lots of good tips. Great video if you wanne learn how things are done. Although i got no numpad on the laptop luckely my gaming equipment comes in handy, just turned my tartarus gamepad into a numpad profile.

[@ayo.a.sticks9647]

😅😅