I am a beginner, with a few projects under my belt. Blender is a massive, sprawling program, and it became clear that simply following someone clicking around the viewport was not an efficient way to learn. Sure, I could do it, but copying someone else barely explains the ‘how,’ and they never explain the ‘why.’
The Planet series steadily offers explanations and definitions throughout the videos. It dips into concepts of design and composition. And I absolutely love it. It is exactly what I am looking for as a learner, and what I hope to get as a customer.
You mentioned that you were being repetitive. Please, keep repeating yourself! As a beginner I want that. Highlighting concepts and maneuvers over multiple videos and videos series is the only way to become familiar. Seeing them once, where I barely know where to click, let alone understand context, is almost useless for learners. Yet, those flashes of anticipation (mix node? Mix node!!), feels like monumental victories. Those only happen with experience and familiarity. So please! Be repetitive. Lean into your preferences. Over time, they really help the learner.
Lastly, on time invested. I’ve taken to watching videos twice. Once to get comfortable with where the video is headed and take a few notes. And again, at .75% speed (pausing often) to do the project. All in, this will take me about 4-5 hours. I feel a bit embarrassed writing that. But I think experts forget how long it took them to learn their trades, while novices feel like they have to hide or compensate for their unlearned bungling.
I am eager to carry on with this series. Willing to put in the work to learn. Consider this an enthusiastic vote for more of this ‘explaining the why’ style of tutorial.
Keep it up!
Eric
Hey that's how I do it too Eric, I watch tutorials twice, once as a movie to get the feel of the whole thing, then again as I go hands on. It's slow but that's how I feel I absorb things best and lots of other people do it like that as well. I'm glad you're learning here, same thing happened to me, wen I found CG Cookie I was like man these guys can teach. Keep on rocking Eric 🤙🏼
My goodness, what a thing to read on a Monday! In the words of Michael Scott: "My heart is very full at this moment." Thank you for sharing these kind, meaningful words, EEric🥹
Watching videos twice is THE WAY! Without a doubt the best method to glean the most out of any Blender tutorial or course. You won't regret that approach.
Do not be embarrassed about 4-5 hours. You're absolutely right that various skill levels work at different paces. AND I rehearse before recording to be as efficient as possible. The 2 hour thing is genuine but it's also a gimmick more than a reliable metric for how long it "should" take someone to create. I secretly LOVE when people get hooked into a project and let it develop over several more hours or even days.
I sooo appreciate your advice: "Be repetitive. Lean into your preferences. Over time, they really help the learner." That's genuinely helpful and encouraging to read as an instructor.
I look forward to seeing you progress through the series! Thanks again for posting this message.
PS: I hope you don't mind me asking, but this would be an incredible review for the course. Would you be willing to copy and paste this as an official review at the bottom of the course landing page? If you prefer not to, no worries 👌
Thanks Omar!
Kent, thanks for your response, and consider it done!