Hello guys,
I have started learning Blender a week ago and I am totally new to this. I have never used or done anything similar ever in my life so everything is new to me. Do you have any advice, any recommendation on book, guide anything for that matter to help me understand this better and to get a grasp of it?
I would still consider myself a beginner as well, a very stubborn one at that too. I have been using Blender for about a year now, so around this time last year I believe I was in a very similar spot as you!
For me personally, I have had to tell myself to take breaks from working on projects, and to ensure that I eliminate as much guesswork as possible when it comes to it. I found that tackling more procedural-style tutorials helped me the most. I started like most others do with the Blender Donut tutorial on YouTube. I was so overwhelmed by everything, and I had also bought my very first PC too. I told myself to work for at least 45 minutes a day and limit myself to around 2 hours.
I think that taking every day at a time and giving every little step of whatever tutorial you decide to start on your full attention is what made my journey the most sustainable in the long run. I think that pacing yourself and holding realistic goals is the kindest thing you can do when you are at that very beginning stage. Enjoy learning, and don't give up!
Introductory training like you'll find here at CG-Cookie is a great start. Freely available youtube tutorials are useful, but well-planned training material like you'll find here will typically get you started with more structured lessons. Not that there's anything wrong with YT videos, mind you. Mostly, just allow yourself to feel a little swamped at first. Re-visit instructional material more than once or twice until it sinks in. Follow the tutorials, then try to do it on your own afterward without referencing the tutorials to build your memory up. Take breaks to keep from overhwlem.
Outside of that, I'd say see if there are any local users groups. Maybe you can start one up in your area.
Study CG imagery and animation. Digest all the films and shorts you can find. Ask yourself how certain shots were done or how certain models were built.
Draw, if you don't already. Doodle and learn about perspective drawing, in particular. It will train you to think in 3D.
Learn about basic physics. Lots of fun informative videos about that out there.
Before I give advice I'd like to make a few points about Blender, because in my experiences people tend to learn blender quicker or maybe it just seems that way. 1. Since the beginning blender has always been designed for speed of production. To a beginner this unfortunately means that blender is geared towards short cut keys or as I call them hotkeys. 2. Blender is designed for access, with minimal hardware requirements, different personalities, and even some physical and mental limitations. As you're learning blender at some point you'll ask or think "Why is the same thing in so many places?". The answer accessibility. 3. Blender is designed for 3D animation. Blender is used in a lot of ways, but ultimately when the developers have to decide which way to do something it will always be towards 3D animation. Can you do CAD, CAD, 3D Printing, and other things with Blender? Yes you can, but it might not be as easy as software designed for that task. Note: Yes I did CAD twice. Computer Aided Drafting and Computer Aided Design. They are different program wise, but also very similar. 4. Blender is Five major programs built into one, and you have access to all of it at all times. So when you think "Why did they do this or that for the interface?" it's usually, because the developers work hard to keep things consistence among all 5 programs. People often times only focus on the part they work with.
Now for learning. You're here so start with the fundamentals courses. Take a break every 30 to 45 minutes. I mean move away from the computer, stretch, walk around. There's a lot to learn. The more stress you build up in your body the less you learn so getting up and moving around will release some stress. As you gain confidence in your skill you will be able to work longer. Of course there is an exception to this rule, and that is if you get inspired during a lesson and want to explore or go off and try something on your own then do it. Worst case you have to rewatch the course. Once you get familiar with the tools of Blender you will want to start looking at the techniques, and concepts of your focus. Techniques and concepts apply no matter what software you use. For Animation doing motion studies and understanding acting like Wayne's Acting for Animators on this site.
As winthrop pointed out watch CG animations. I like blend.stream which are all made using Blender. Of course watching other films and animations is good too.
..and, aandro93zed , to add to all the good advice given above:
as an absolute beginner, start with:
https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-basics-an-introduction-to-blender-4-x
I always say the key thing is Grit, because there are a lot of hurdles to overcome. It is a difficult software, make no mistake, so it will take perseverance. As long as you're willing to stumble and get back up again without loosing enthusiasm, you'll be fine. Procrastination is the main villain in this movie, don't wait for a muse or a sense of inspiration to start working, just go, open Blender, open CG Cookie and go go go, because your brain tries to convince you that the couch looks very comfy and you deserve some couch time. So it takes sacrifices, replacing Netflix or videogame hours for tutorial hours. The beginner learning curve is steep, but it will pass, and we're all here to help.
Second thing is practice, practice and more practice. You will see how it's not just watching the video and seeing what buttons to click, you have to be hands on. You'll see the teacher doing something and you'll be like oh cool, that's easy, I got it, I can do that, only to be stumbling trying to do it yourself and wondering how do they make it look so easy.
And have a good time making cool stuff. Just see the software as a stumbling block to what you really want to do. A cool thing popped into your head and you want to make it real and show it to the world, so hit the gas, or the electric vehicle pedal, and don't stop.
Pretty much everything important has been said already. I'd like to add one more possible pitfall to avoid: Comparison.
Especially as a beginner you see all those great renders and artworks out there and it's easy to loose confidence because you can't produce anything like it yet. So as in other professions (it's what I always tell young apprentices in my occupation) don't compare yourself to anyone else. Take inspiration and goals from it, but don't compare yourself. Everyone's situation is different and people learn at a different pace, mostly due to their individual circumstances. Only compare yourself to your yesterday's self. See improvement? Good. No improvement? Keep working on it.
It's a toughie but you got this :)
Guys, I am overwhelmed by reception my post got. Thank each and every one of you for advice and support. I can not even begin to describe how much this means to me.
Good luck to everyone and wishing you the best.