Blender for Complete and Total Beginners Course Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a step-by-step introduction to Blender, designed specifically for absolute beginners. Over approximately 7 hours of hands-on lessons, you'll learn the core skills needed to create simple 3D scenes—from navigating the interface to modeling, texturing, lighting, and animating. Each module builds on the last, culminating in a final project where you render a complete showcase scene. No prior experience is required, and all tools used are free and open-source.

Module 1: Getting Started & Interface Tour

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Download and install Blender
• Explore workspace layouts and custom workspaces
• Learn viewport navigation in the 3D Viewport
• Select and transform objects using basic tools

Module 2: Basic Modeling & Mesh Editing

Estimated time: 1.25 hours

• Add and manipulate mesh primitives
• Switch between Edit Mode and Object Mode
• Use extrusion, inset, loop cuts, and merge vertices
• Build a simple coffee mug model

Module 3: Modifiers & Procedural Modeling

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Apply the Subdivision Surface and Mirror modifiers
• Use the Array and Boolean modifiers for repetition and cutting
• Add the Solidify modifier for thickness
• Create a repeating fence post using Array + Mirror

Module 4: UV Unwrapping & Texturing

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Mark seams and unwrap UVs effectively
• Bake basic ambient occlusion maps
• Apply image-based textures to models
• UV-unwrap the coffee mug and apply a label texture

Module 5: Materials & Shading Basics

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Use the Shader Editor and understand node basics
• Work with the Principled BSDF shader
• Adjust color, roughness, and metallic properties
• Create and assign materials for ceramic and metal surfaces

Module 6: Lighting & Rendering

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Set up point, area, and directional lights
• Use HDRI environment lighting
• Compare Eevee and Cycles render engine settings
• Render a product shot in both engines

Module 7: Simple Animation & Keyframing

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Set keyframes for object transformations
• Navigate the Timeline and Dope Sheet
• Adjust basic interpolation in the Graph Editor
• Export a viewport animation preview (playblast)

Module 8: Final Project – Showcase Scene

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Assemble a tabletop scene with modeled objects
• Set up and animate a camera
• Adjust render layers and output settings
• Render a short animated clip for portfolio use

Prerequisites

• No prior 3D experience required
• Basic computer literacy
• Ability to download and install software

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Confidently navigate Blender’s interface and workspaces
• Model simple 3D objects using core editing tools
• Unwrap UVs and apply image-based textures
• Design materials and shade objects using node workflows
• Create and render simple animations for presentation