If you want to learn 3D modeling or improve your skills, online courses are a great way to do it. You can access a variety of topics, tools, and techniques from the comfort of your home. But how do you apply what you learn to your own projects? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your online 3D modeling courses.
Before you enroll in any online 3D modeling course, you need to consider your goals, interests, and level of experience. Do you want to create realistic characters, environments, or products? Do you prefer Blender, Maya, or ZBrush? Do you need to learn the basics or advance your skills? Look for courses that match your needs and expectations, and check the reviews, ratings, and syllabus of each option.
Some 6 months after I started as a trainee Structural Engineer with #ILFEngineers, a well respected senior colleague cam back from a meeting with MPN Nigeria and agreed that their best piping design came out flawed with several clashes when modelled in 3D. That week I started my journey in 3D modelling professionally.
I think a huge thing to consider is, what is your learning style? Do your research. Is this class hands on? Is it just straight forward tutorials? Is it a live class? Recorded class? Normally individuals are good at labeling whether it is an advanced class, intermediate, or beginner class. Do your research!!
Online courses usually have a clear structure that guides you through the learning process. They may include videos, lectures, quizzes, assignments, and feedback. Try to follow the course structure as much as possible, and don't skip any steps. This will help you build a solid foundation, reinforce your understanding, and practice your skills. If you have any questions or doubts, reach out to the instructor or the community for help.
I completely agree with this. I do believe that there will be moments in most of these tutorial projects where you should feel free to explore new tools and creativity without having to destroy the tutorial piece. A great way to do this is by duplicating the object at a point in the tutorial when you want to try something different, or if you want to texture it differently, or want more practice. The nice thing about 3D design and tutorials is that there are great ways to test things out before ruining a specific item you have been working on for a while. You can also make it so that your object is no longer selectable so you can’t delete it or select it by accident. Don’t be afraid to play around, but follow the tutorials to the end result
One of the best ways to apply your online 3D modeling courses to your projects is to use them as inspiration, reference, or challenge. You can use the examples, models, or techniques from the course to create your own versions, variations, or improvements. You can also compare your work with the course outcomes, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you develop your creativity, style, and confidence.
Online 3D modeling courses can expose you to a wide range of tools and techniques that you may not be familiar with. Don't be afraid to experiment with them, and see how they can enhance your projects. You can try different software, plugins, add-ons, or workflows, and see how they affect your results. You can also combine different tools and techniques, and create unique effects or solutions.
Another way to apply your online 3D modeling courses to your projects is to showcase your work and get feedback. You can share your projects on social media, online platforms, or portfolios, and get comments, likes, or critiques from other 3D artists or enthusiasts. You can also join online groups, forums, or contests, and participate in discussions, collaborations, or challenges. This will help you gain exposure, recognition, and improvement.
Online 3D modeling courses are not the end of your learning journey, but the beginning. You can always find new courses, resources, or opportunities to learn and improve your 3D modeling skills. You can also revisit the courses you have taken, and refresh your knowledge, or learn something new. The more you learn and apply, the more you will grow as a 3D artist.
I try to live by this rule. Never go back to an old project. Always start new. Always start fresh. If it’s an old tutorial, make sure you start it from scratch. Take creative liberties and remake an old object but in a different way, or add something extra to it. Challenge yourself. Like if you made a lamp before, maybe make a lamp that’s shaped like a tree trunk or something. Try new things. This will get you very far in your career.