Blender 2.8 Character Creation Course Syllabus

Overview: This project-based course guides you through the complete 3D character creation pipeline in Blender 2.8, from initial setup to final render. Designed for beginners with basic computer skills, the course spans approximately 8 hours of focused learning, divided into six structured modules. Each module builds on the previous one, combining essential theory with hands-on exercises to ensure practical mastery. You'll model, sculpt, texture, UV map, rig, and render a full 3D character, gaining industry-relevant skills applicable to game development, animation, and VFX. Lifetime access allows you to learn at your own pace and revisit concepts as needed.

Module 1: Introduction & Setup

Estimated time: 0.2 hours

• Blender 2.8 interface and preferences
• Project organization
• Configuring your workspace
• Importing starter assets

Module 2: Modeling & Sculpting

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Base mesh creation
• Edge-flow best practices
• Dynamic-topology sculpting
• Building a character base mesh
• Sculpting primary anatomical forms

Module 3: Normal Mapping & Materials

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• High-to-low poly workflows
• Normal-map baking
• Eevee PBR shader nodes
• Baking normal maps
• Assigning realistic PBR materials

Module 4: UV Mapping & Texture Painting

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Smart UV unwrapping techniques
• Texture-painting workflows
• Unwrapping your model
• Painting diffuse, specular, and normal textures

Module 5: Rigging & Posing

Estimated time: 1.75 hours

• Armature creation
• Inverse kinematics setups
• Bone constraints
• Rigging the character
• Testing dynamic poses

Module 6: Lighting, Rendering & Animation

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Eevee lighting setups
• Render settings
• Turntable animation basics
• Lighting your scene
• Rendering a rotating turntable animation

Prerequisites

• Basic familiarity with computer navigation
• No prior 3D experience required, but willingness to learn is essential
• Installation of Blender 2.8 (free)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Model and sculpt a foundational 3D character mesh in Blender 2.8
• Refine high-resolution details using dynamic-topology sculpting tools
• Bake normal maps and apply them to optimized low-poly models
• Create realistic PBR materials with the Eevee render engine
• Complete a full character creation workflow including rigging and rendering