Different versions

Nothing to worry about, there is no need to fear the Blender version, the software hardly ever changes in a meaningful way, workflows have stayed the same since forever, core knowledge is still always there. The thing that changes is just names and buttons placements in the UI, things learned are always 99% applicable.

Specially if you are a beginner, it is the best of ideas to follow what's on screen with the Blender version used in the video, because it is easier to follow and everything you learn will be applicable no matter the Blender version. Updating courses and videos is practically impossible due to the speed in which Blender develops, everything everywhere becomes outdated the moment a new Blender version comes along, everything on YouTube and everything everywhere at the same time, no one can update things their entire library, it is unattainable. But it's just outdated in the sense of what's visibly on the screen, no more than that.

As above 👆☝️
As a beginner your priority is 3D CG knowledge over Blender version.
Once you have the 3D CG knowledge, Blender version is less relevant.

As mentioned in the post Martin shared, the latest version is recommended for your own projects, but not necessary for learning the concepts.

Hi sivasu - Your perspective is understandable and quite common, especially early in one's CG / Blender journey. As a crew we've debated a lot through the years about the best approach to dealing with Blender versions in our courses. The discussion session is a good idea, which is why we have Q&A like this thread. Often students ask a question about a version difference and these 3 gentlemen (Adrian, Omar, Martin) answer quickly.

But if a student follows every course with the Blender version used in the course, that eliminates a lot of need to ask questions. The reality is, while Blender updates frequently, the core methodology of computer graphics has remained essentially the same for the 20 years I've been doing it. Moving vertices around into models, laying out UVs, material parameters, simulation concepts, rendering characteristics...still the same.

I find a lot of new users think Blender is drastically different, version to version. As if Blender 2.8 -> 4.1 is like SNES -> N64. Again, the difference between versions is far less significance than the release hype makes you think.

I encourage you to look at Blender holistically. You're learning the underlying methodology of computer graphics, not merely how to use a certain version. A holistic understanding makes your skills transferrable between Blender versions and even 3D software entirely. And don't make the mistake of thinking previous Blender versions are obsolete. Treat each version like a chisel in a drawer of chisels. No carpenter has a single almighty chisel for every situation. They maintain a collection where each is useful in their own way.

Consider this too: As a student learning Blender holistically, you can learn from countless courses and tutorials throughout the years! If you limit yourself to only learning the latest version, you restrict yourself to a handful of courses and tutorials before the next version releases. Then your problem starts all over again: New version of Blender with zero tutorials recorded for it.

As every artists learns in time, developing a "blender-fluid" proficiency is the best - well - really the only way.

yyanni_f for sure, footnotes can be a reasonable thing to implement. In fact I just got off a call with Bossman Wes about how updates like footnotes, addendums, and even re-recordings (in extreme cases) can be implemented. A key to doing this was hiring IA's like Adrian Bellworthy, Omar Domenech, Martin Bergwerf, and Phil Osterbauer. Together we'll be able to keep a pulse on the constant blender changes and how to best inform students about them.

Still, while those will indeed be helpful, they will never be as helpful as the advice to embrace Blender version fluidity.

Borgelin I hope you don't mind me challenging your logic a bit more. Please understand it's not for the sake of arguing, but because what I'm trying to convey has huge consequences to your learning journey.

Your two points for why you commit to the latest version are sound! Those same reasons are why I too opt for the latest version of Blender **so long as it doesn't cause issues with my projects/workflow**. Because, at the end of the day, I'm really only interested in created cool stuff regardless of the tools that I use. This is where we differ and where I believe you (and most Blender learners) choose to make your learning journey more difficult than it needs to be. This is what I'm trying to change for you and the broader community.

The critical point to remember - the point that governs all of this logic - is that Blender only exists to make stuff within computer graphics. A properly prioritized list of a Blender learning journey looks like this:

1. The artform: Computer Graphics
2. The understanding: Learning Computer Graphics
3. The tool: Blender (or any other 3D app)

Deciding to use the latest version of Blender regardless of the version taught in a tutorial/course introduces software inconsistencies that are distracting, usually frustrating, and can motivate you to abandon the course. This perspective puts Blender at the top of your priority list at the expense of the other two. If you abandon the course due to Blender version in consistency, you're sacrificing learning and execution of skills in favor of the software version.

This is backwards and the cost is significant. Think about how many courses and tutorials you cannot learn from if you're committed to only using the latest version. Then think about how few courses/tutorials are available for the latest version. The latter of which is repeatedly true with each new release.

Is it really worth the (over)commitment and ignoring all prior blender version education?

This is when learners are keen to call for course updates, which is totally understandable. However course updates are difficult and costly and instructors rarely do it as a result. But aside from that, more importantly, the learner has no control over if and when course updates occur. If you wait around for an update, again you're sacrificing the ability to learn relevant skills *now*. Using the version of Blender that matches an existing course means you have control to learn now.

"But if I learn how to do something in 2.8, won't I have to relearn how to do it with 4.1 eventually?" Yes and it's way easier than you think! This is why it's important to realize how little CG has evolved over the decades and especially how little really changes with each new Blender version. Besides, EVERYONE has to get familiar with every new Blender release; we're all in the same boat in this way. So there's literally no avoiding the [minor] issue of learning to do stuff in a new version. Learning the real skills - the skills that transcend 3D software / version - that's the actual difficult part. So since it can't be avoided, embrace it and level up as a Blender user. Or more importantly, as a CG artist.

Borgelin I'm so glad to read your response! Taking the software differences as a challenge instead of frustration - that's the attitude that guarantees success 👏

The last thing I'll say: this "blender fluidity" perspective we're discussing applies to all Blender education, not just CGC's library. The resilience of your learning journey just took a big leap forward. Way to go!

llil whilst playing the video and Blender is in use by the instructor, the version is visible in the bottom right corner.