Watch This Before

GETTING STARTED
WITH BLENDER

Thank you for watching our YouTube video:

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender

(7 Critical Tips)

As we covered in the video, these are the

7 Critical Tips You Need to Know

Before Getting Started with Blender
#1 Start with a Map

As we covered in our Welcome to Blender

Academy video, just like in the real world, it’s best
to have a map! When you have a map, it helps you
stay focused on only the skills you need to learn to
reach your goal, and avoid unnecessary tutorials,
or pieces of tutorials, that won’t help you achieve
that goal.

But don’t just take my word for it. Scott Young, au-
thor of Ultralearning says “Drawing a Map” - sig-
nificantly reduces wasted time during the learning
process AND leverages how our brains work to
store new information by creating a framework to
more easily grasp new concepts as they arise.

Of course, being new to Blender -- at this point

you may feel like you couldn’t possibly know what
the steps are you even need to take. And that’s
okay! In Ultralearning, Young provides a guide
for writing down Why you’re learning, and how to
identify What Concepts, Facts and Procedures to
focus on – before you know everything about the
new skill you’re trying to learn. I definitely recom-
mend you check out his book, or if you don’t have
time -- send me a message, and I’d be happy to
help you create a customized map for your par-
ticular situation.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 2

 #2 Simplify the User Interface

To simplify Blender, you can ignore the top menu, panels on the right and bottom and most of the tools and icons in
the 3D Viewport - when you’re new, it’s best to focus on just the basics first!

The key to getting started with Blender is to NOT get distracted by

all of the menus, tools and panels in the User Interface.

When you open Blender for the first time, When you’re new to Blender, no matter
the sea of windows, panels, tools, and what you’ll be using it for down the road,
menus that make up the User Interface is I recommend you start with the Layout
downright overwhelming. And as you set off Workspace tab. And then all you need to
to learn the fundamentals, all these panels care about right now is the 3-dimensional
and tools are not only distracting, but they space in the 3D Viewport and the default
can also slow you down. cube in it. You can ignore anything across
the top including the main menu, workspace
That’s why I recommend simplifying the tabs and everything else to the right. We
User Interface so that you can be laser- also don’t need to worry about the Outliner
focused on getting comfortable with the and Properties Editor panels on the right, or
basics first. the Timeline editor at the bottom.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 3

 #3 Use the Right Mouse

Blender works best with a 3-button scroll wheel mouse. That means a mouse that has both left and right buttons, plus a
center scroll wheel that can be rolled AND clicked on.

With Blender, there are a few critical things that will save you a ton
of time and frustration when you use the right kind of mouse.

When you’re new to Blender, you might be What kind of mouse? Well, Blender works
tempted to see if you can get away with best with a 3-button scroll wheel mouse.
using only the trackpad on your laptop. That means a mouse that has both left and
right buttons, plus a center scroll wheel
Here’s the problem: Just like in the real that can be rolled AND clicked on. And it
world, there are tools that you can use to doesn’t have to be fancy - often the simplest
get the job done — but also tools that can 3-button scroll wheel mouse works the best.
get the job done MUCH faster. And with
Blender, there are a few critical things that
will save you a ton of time and frustration
when you use the right kind of mouse.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 4

 #4 Practice Navigating the Right Way

Practice navigating in small increments to get where you want to go. Before you know it, you’ll be just like the experts
who make hundreds of tiny Zooms, tiny Orbits and tiny Pans to zero-in on what they need to see better.

Being able to get where you need to go in the model makes using
Blender so much easier.

Most of your time in Blender is actually If you press down on your center mouse
spent navigating to a better view to wheel like a button and move your mouse
accomplish the next thing you are trying around, you will see that you are now
to do. So being able to navigate well is Orbiting your view around your model
one of the most important things you can And if you need to pan over to get a better
invest time into learning and practicing. By view, while pressing the Shift key on your
“navigate”, I mean use Blender’s Navigation keyboard, also press and hold down the
tools to Zoom, Pan and Orbit around in 3D center mouse wheel, then move your mouse
space. By rolling your mouse wheel forward to pan your view. When you’re done, let go
and backward, you can zoom in and out of of the shift key and center mouse wheel to
your model. stop panning.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 5

 #5 Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Nearly every tool, action and menu option in Blender has a corresponding keyboard shortcut. All told, there are over
200 — with some of them being made up of multiple keys that have to be pressed together!

It’s tempting to think it might be simpler to skip learning the

shortcuts while you’re first trying to learn the basics.

Trying to memorize each keyboard shortcut just a couple of months can tell you, this will
as you practice using the corresponding tool save you a ton of time versus having to click
or function can slow you down a bit in the your way through the various user interface
short-term. panels and menus to get to the tools and
commands you need.
Buuuut — taking the extra time now to try
and practice the keyboard shortcuts from So take the time to practice using keyboard
the get-go, means that every time you use shortcuts from the start, your future self will
a tool or function you’ll be reinforcing the definitely thank you!
shortcut and before you know it, the two
will be wired together in your brain. And Click here for a cheatsheet of all of
as anyone that has used Blender for even Blender’s keyboard shortcuts.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 6

#6 Experiment with Creating and Editing Geometry

Before you try to create something specific, the

best thing you can do is actually give yourself a
chance to experiment with the key tools and con-
cepts first. That way, you’ll be teaching yourself
how the tools actually work

Press the Tab key on your keyboard to toggle from

Object Mode to Edit Mode.

In Edit Mode, you have the ability to Move, Rotate

and Scale Vertices, Edges or Faces independently.

In order to Move, Rotate or Scale an Edge or a

Face, you’ll have to select that Edge or Face. But
when you switch to Edit Mode, the Select tool will
default to what is called Vertex Selection Mode.
To switch to Edge selection mode, press 2 on your
keyboard. Then click on an edge and it will select.
To switch to Face selection mode, press 3 on your
keyboard. Then click on a Face to select it. And you
can switch back to Vertex selection mode by press-
ing 1 on your keyboard.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 7

 #7 Create (Bad) 3D Models Without Help

Even though you’re only creating rudimentary shapes at this point, know that you’re actually much further along the
road to mastering Blender than if you had just followed a tutorial passively.

It’s time to do the hard work of actually learning and practicing

the core principles and foundational skills you’ve learned.

At this point, you know the basics — Cursor which defaults to the origin of the
and now it’s time to practice navigating Red and Green axes. You can then follow
well, using Keyboard shortcuts, and the previous steps we’ve gone over to
experimenting with editing basic geometry. Move, rotate, or scale the entire object — or
And the best way to do that is to just start switch to Edit Mode to edit its underlying
building! But before you can do that you’ll geometry. Now you’re ready to use these
want to be familiar with adding new Mesh basic tools and concepts to try and create
Objects. Press “Shift” and “A” - this is 3D models of more recognizable shapes
the keyboard shortcut to bring up the Add on your own! At this point in your Blender
Menu. At this point, we’re only going to learning journey, they’ll be bad. And that’s
worry about the Mesh dropdown. Under OK!
Mesh, pick a mesh type to place it at the 3D

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 8

Your Next Steps:

Have questions about Blender or want help

creating a personalized study map for your
particular situation? Reach out to us and we’d
be happy to help!

Also, let us know what Blender topics you want us

to cover in our upcoming videos.

From here, it’s definitely possible to learn Blender

on your own. But if you’re serious about learning
Blender and can’t afford to waste time or pick up
bad habits, we’re building a comprehensive video
course that incorporates all the lessons we’ve
learned from teaching in-person over the years.
Head over to our website now to learn more!

visit
blenderacademy.com

Know anyone that could use these notes?

Do us a quick favor and share this PDF with someone who would
like to learn how to turn learn Blender faster and more effectively.

Watch This Before Getting Started with Blender 9