🐣 FRESH START!

This thread is for those with little to no knowledge of 3D modelling or sculpting.

September 06, 2026

THUNDEER'S 3D LEARNING RESOURCES

🐣 FRESH START!

This thread is for those with little to no knowledge of 3D modelling or sculpting.

The goal is to get you confortable navigating the interface of popular 3D software, and give you enough tools to create simple projects!

Resources directed primarily for learning character creation in 3D.

Pick resources that fit your learning style, instead of brute forcing learning in a way you don't enjoy - that's why I tried including multiple options in each topic for you to pick from!

Blender

FRESH START! (BLENDER)

Courses, videos, blog posts, manuals & books

FRESH START! (BLENDER)

Courses, videos, blog posts, manuals & books

In Blender, at this stage, you should learn:

Navigate the software and have a basic understanding of the interface
Control the viewport camera
Create and transform geometry (Move, Rotate, Scale). Lock transformation to XYZ axis. Trackball rotate (R twice)
Use the 3D Cursor
Switch to Edit Mode. Vertex, Edge & Face edit
Basic modeling tools (Loop Cut, Extrude, Inset, Bevel, Knife)
Snapping (to Faces, Edges & Vertices)
Simple modifiers (Subdivision, Mirror, Array, Bevel, Solidify)
Apply simple textures through the Shader Editor (Base Color, Roughness, Metallic)
Mesh Normals & Shade Smooth
Import models
Pose rigged models from the internet (Pose Mode)
Memorize the basic shortcuts

Also these are some common beginner pitfalls you might encounter during this learning process. I made sure to include some resources to solve these as well!

Issues related to not applying transforms (shortcut CTRL+A)
Flipped normals (shortcut SHIFT+N)
Duplicated vertices & non-manifold meshes (shortcut M > By Distance)
View clipping when zooming close to the model (Clip Start)
Issues related to the object's origin point (ex.: Mirror not working as expected)
Modifier stack order

With this knowledge, you'll have a decent understanding of 3D modeling in Blender, and even be able to create simple scenes!

👨‍🎓 STANDALONE COURSES

⭐ FREE

Blender Fundamentals 4.5 LTS

Blender Studio

Blender Studio's own training course, will cover everything you will need for your 3D journey

Blender Fundamentals 4.5 LTS - Blender Studio

Start learning Blender at your own pace with this complete fundamental course.

https://studio.blender.org/training/blender-fundamentals-45-lts/

FREE

BLENDER BASICS: An Introduction to Blender 3D 4.5 LTS

CGCookie

BLENDER BASICS: An Introduction to Blender 3D 4.5 LTS

Need to learn Blender? Stream the Blender Basics for free on CG Cookie to learn everything you need to know to get started with this 3D Modeling and Animation Software. Now updated for version 4.5 LTS!

https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-basics-an-introduction-to-blender-3d-4-5-lts

FREE

Blender for Beginners

CGBoost

Blender for Beginners | CG Boost

Start with our free Blender beginner training.

https://www.cgboost.com/courses/free-blender-beginners-course

📺 YOUTUBE

5 Blender Mistakes You're Probably Making

JL Mussi

Issues related to bevels, loop cuts, shading, and modifiers!

💻 BLOG POSTS

Denoise: Blender Beginner Mistakes We All Make

CG Cookie

Denoise: Blender Beginner Mistakes We All Make

Discover essential Blender beginner tips to navigate common challenges. We've all made mistakes when starting out, but with the right guidance, you can master Blender more efficiently.

https://cgcookie.com/posts/beginner-blender-mistakes-we-all-make

How to Fix Normals in Blender

3DModels

How to Fix Normals in Blender

Article "How to Fix Normals in Blender" by 3DModels team. Blog about our experience in computer graphics and 3D modeling. Welcome!

https://3dmodels.org/blog/how-to-fix-normals-in-blender/

📚 BOOKS

Blender has some ANCIENT books, so I tried including material made after 2019 (Blender 2.8) when the UI was reworked to something closer to today's

Beginner's Guide to Creating Characters in Blender (2021)

3dtotal Publishing

Blender Secrets E-Book

Blender Secrets

📄 DOCUMENTATION / USER MANUAL

Blender 5.2 LTS Manual

Window System

3D Viewport

Introduction

Introduction

Object Modes

Object Modes

Navigating

3D Cursor

3D Cursor

Objects

Selecting

Selecting Objects

Editing

Shading

Shading

Show/Hide

Show/Hide

Delete

Delete

Modeling

Structure

Structure

Primitives

Primitives

Tools

Loop Cut

Editing

edit mode

vertex edge face edit

loop cut extrude inset bevel knife

snapping

modifiers

shader editor

principled bsdf

import

pose mode

🌀 MISC

Blender 5.2 Shortcut PDF + CG Boost Updates

https://cgboost.kit.com/blender-shortcut-pdf

Zbrush

Fresh Start! (ZBrush)

Courses, videos, blog posts & books

Fresh Start! (ZBrush)

Courses, videos, blog posts & books

In Zbrush, at this stage, you should learn:

Navigate the software and start sculpting on your mesh (Tool)
Control the viewport camera
Essential brushes (Move, Standard, Claybuildup, DamStandard, TrimDynamic, Inflate, Pinch, SnakeHook, Smooth)
Create, merge & duplicate subtools
Difference between Tools and Subtools
Activate Symmetry (shortcut X)
Basic masking
Gizmo 3D (Move, Scale , Rotate)
Mirror subtools ("Mirror And Weld" tool)
Dynamesh & Subdivision
Polypaint & Materials
Ortographic vs Perspective View
Autosaving (shortcut 9)
Wireframe, X-Ray view
Difference between saving Tool and Project

With this knowledge, you'll already be able to create great character sculptures!

📺 YOUTUBE COURSES

⭐ Intro to Zbrush Series

Michael Pavlovich

One of the best resources I've found for learning Zbrush fundamentals, and it just happens to be free on Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkzopwqcFevYP1Nm3wIKsyH-jQTkk8AhS

Getting Started with Sculpting - ZBrush for Beginners Tutorial

FlippedNormals

Your First Day in ZBrush

School of Motion

📺 YOUTUBE

Subdivisions VS Dynamesh in ZBrush

FlippedNormals

👨‍🎓 STANDALONE COURSES

PAID ($79)

Introduction to Zbrush

FlippedNormals

Introduction to ZBrush

Introduction to ZBrush In this 7.5 hours long series, you'll learn everything you need to know in order to get started with ZBrush 2020! Learning ZBrush can be incredibly frustrating and after having taught ZBrush to students for years - both in class and online - we've done our very best at making the best Introductio

https://flippednormals.com/collections/courses/products/introduction-to-zbrush

PAID ($55)

Zbrush for Ipad - 3D Sculpting Simplified

Abe Leal

Zbrush for Ipad - 3D Sculpting Simplified

Start your Digital Sculpting Journey with this Course and learn all of the necessary tools inside of Zbrush for Ipad while creating amazing sculptures.

https://www.abeleal3d.com/courses/zbrushforipad

💻 BLOG POSTS

Understanding ZBrush's "Logic": My Secret to Learning Faster

Understanding ZBrush's "Logic": My Secret to Learning Faster | Pablander Academy

This tutorial breaks down the mental and technical framework I use every time I sculpt. It’s not about memorising features. It’s about building a repeatable workflow that removes hesitation and keeps you moving forward… you can then add extra bits of knowledge as you go ;)

https://www.pablander.academy/tutorials/understanding-zbrushs-logic-my-secret-to-learning-faster

ZClassroom

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/level/0

Relevant ZClassroom classes

Avoid classes with higher difficulty ratings (yellow or red)!

Zbrush UI

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/zbrush-ui

Dynamesh

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/dynamesh

Getting Started with Maxon ZBrush

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/getting-started-with-maxon-zbrush

How to Start in ZBrush

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/how-to-start-in-zbrush

ZBrush Introduction

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/zbrush-introduction

Sculpting with Michael Pavlovich

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/sculpting-with-michael-pavlovich

Folders

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/folders

Gizmo 3D

ZBrush - The all-in-one-digital sculpting solution

ZBrush is a ditigal sculpting application loved by professional and independent artists the world over.

https://zclassroom.com/zclassroom/workshop/gizmo-3d

📚BOOKS

Zbrush interface has changed so little in the last 20 years that you can kinda get always with using old books for learning Zbrush!

📄 DOCUMENTATION / USER MANUAL

ZBrush Documentation

Given how archaic Zbrush's interface is, it doesn't surprise me that the documentation is pretty subpar as well. Still, I made sure to link the essential pages for learning Zbrush

Modeling Basics

Basic Concepts

Saving Your Work

🌀 MISC

ZBrush Shortcuts PDF

https://help.maxon.net/zbr/en-us/Content/Resources/Uploads/ZBrush-Shortcuts.pdf

Nomad Sculpt

Fresh Start! (Nomad Sculpt)

Courses, videos, blog posts, manuals & books

Fresh Start! (Nomad Sculpt)

Courses, videos, blog posts, manuals & books

In Nomad Sculpt, at this stage, you should learn:

Navigate the software (gestures) and have a basic understanding of the interface
Control the viewport camera. Lock view
Adding reference images. Overlay & Opacity
Symmetry
Gizmo 3D (Move, Scale, Rotate)
Essential brushes (Move, Clay, Smooth, Tube)
Add, merge and duplicate new primitives
Ortographic vs Perspective View
Mirror primitives
Voxel Remeshing (Remesh). Multires (Subdivision, on by default)
Basic masking
Adding color
Outline, Wireframe view