30 Days of Modeling

Becoming great at anything requires constant practice and that is especially true with 3d modeling. If you're here it's probably because you want to become a better digital artist. I myself want to improve my 3d modeling and texturing skills and that means I need to model a ton in order to become better.

Building a consistent habit is the path to becoming great and with that I wanted to provide a challenge to anyone else here who wants to join me. The challenge will be to model one new 3d model daily for 30 days. 

The goal of this is not to create  amazingly realistic models, but to get you practicing your modeling skills daily. You are not competing with anyone here but yourself.

Each day this post will be updated with the object to model based on that week. Below are the rules and guidelines to make this more interesting:


Themes

To make this more interesting, every week will focus on one theme. Each theme will represent a set of 7 objects that are relatively easy to model, but each have unique elements to them to challenge you in different ways. 

The themes for the next 4 weeks include: Home, Weapons, Props, Nature


Rules

  • All models must be completed by you. While we do teach Blender here, you are free to use any software you want for modeling and texturing. (Sculpting is allowed)
  • Do not include models you've previously created, while we can't verify this, remember that this is meant to install a habit of daily modeling practice. 
  • Only post a model for that day, don't try to "catch up". If you miss a day, then pick it up the next day

Submissions

Post a rendered image of your completed model. While texturing won't be required, it is highly encouraged. 


HOME (June 1 - June 7)

For this week we'll focus on objects found around the home. Typically these objects are relatively easy to model and reference. You are free to get as creative as you want with these as long as you modeling what is requested for that day.

June 1 - Sofa

June 2 - Lamp

June 3 - Book Shelf

June 4 - Coffee Table

June 5 - Lounge Chair

June 6 - Shag Rug

June 7 - Floor Speakers

Week 1 is Done! Congrats on making it through the first week of this modeling challenge. On to week 2.


WEAPONS (June 8 - June 14)

For this week we'll focus on creating hand held weapons. Think melee weapons. These usually have a mixture of primitive and complex shapes. You may use sculpting during these models, and some may actually require it to achieve the look you want. 

June 8 - Axe

June 9 - Combat Knife

June 10 - Spear

June 11 - Shuriken

June 12 - Spiked Bat

June 13 - Sickle

June 14 - Nunchucks


PROPS (June 15 - June 21)

This week will be focused on props you might commonly see in games or background scenes. These can be reused to add "filler" to an environment. These props mostly reside outside.

June 15 - Barrels

June 16 - Tires

June 17 - Filled Trash Bags

June 18 - Concrete Barrier

June 19 - Shipping Container

June 20 - Dumpster

June 21 - No Object

June 22 - No Object


Vegetation

This week will be focused on organic plants and objects you'd find out in nature. Think of these as natural props.

June 23 - Grass Clumps

June 24 - Rocks

June 25 - Flowers

June 26 - Bushes

June 27 - Hollow Log

June 28 - Vines

June 29 - Trees


CHALLENGE COMPLETED

This officially ends the challenge, technically it's 29 days but we have another challenge starting up on Monday so use Sunday as a way to gather reference photos and start your next modeling challenge with vehicles!

Thank you for everyone that participated in this challenge. Some objects were easy, others were challenging and I hope you learned some new tips and techniques. This challenge was about keeping a habit going and learning some new techniques and use different tools to create something you may not have otherwise. It was great seeing all the new renders on a daily basis. Good or bad, you've created something and that's what matters. See you all in the next challenge!


  • Evan Ritchey(neode) replied

    Me: this looks amazing.

    *Sees date*

    ...crap

  • spikeyxxx replied

    This actually took me like, forever to make, lots of re-starts!

    What I learned today, is that Camera angle and Lighting make all the difference. (I knew that already of course, but this picture made it sooo clear to me!)

    I remember, when I was a kid, swinging on these down-hanging branches over the water, feeling like I were Tarzan;)

    So, I end these 30 Days of Modelling weeping with the willow.

    I learned a lot and had great fun! Thanks Jonathan and all participants.

    On to the CGCookie July Challenge!



  • smurfmier1985 replied

    spikeyxxx this looks awesome! I can see your plane fly over it in my minds eye 😎😉

  • Phillip Capon(train30) replied

    Trees are a challenge, but I think I am beginning to get the Sapling Generator figured out. I got spend a few minutes everyday on it.

  • ciku-karugi replied

    My tree ... The bark texture looks a little stretched.

    Some leaves are floating, hehe. Does anyone know how I can fix this?

  • smurfmier1985 replied

    cciku-karugi I actually like them flying, looks like falling leaves. I think your tree looks beautiful 😊

  • Phillip Capon(train30) replied

    cciku-karugi Try using Object texture coordinates and set the images to Box Project. Also play around with scaling the texture in only one axis (x or y) until it looks good.

  • Jonathan Gonzalez(jgonzalez) replied

    Ok so it's late here and I managed to get a basic tree going just to finish off this challenge. Used the same method as the bush just with a trunk. Not the best looking tree but at least I know how to create one now for future reference.

  • spikeyxxx replied

    cciku-karugi Trees generated with the Sapling Generator are already UV unwrapped, so it's just a matter of changing the scale values in the Mapping node.

    About the floating leaves; I don't think they are floating, it looks to me that all your leaves are rotated 90°. They look attached to the branches from their sides. When using a Particle System, remember that the leaves 'grow from the Origin point' of the leaf.

    Still, I like you picture!


  • ciku-karugi replied

    ssmurfmier1985 Haha, thanks Miranda!

  • ciku-karugi replied

    spikeyxxx Thank you Spikey!

  • ciku-karugi replied

    train30 Thank you Philip!

  • ciku-karugi replied
    Thank you Jonathan for beginning this challenge and thank you to all of you, I have certainly grown in this past few weeks. I am grateful for your all your help. Cheers!


  • lakshitkothari replied

    Can We do modeling in other Software?

  • lakshitkothari replied

    Can we do Modeling in other software

  • Vue Thao(euv) replied

    Wow, I thought this challenge still going in 2021. The challenge was done two years ago.

  • adrian replied

    llakshitkothari this is an old challenge from 2019, however you can still give it ago if you wish.

     

    Rules

    • All models must be completed by you. While we do teach Blender here, you are free to use any software you want for modeling and texturing. (Sculpting is allowed)
    • Do not include models you've previously created, while we can't verify this, remember that this is meant to install a habit of daily modeling practice. 
    • Only post a model for that day, don't try to "catch up". If you miss a day, then pick it up the next day

    Submissions

    Post a rendered image of your completed model. While texturing won't be required, it is highly encouraged. 


  • Alec Gratto(digitz) replied

    It was from 2 years ago, but I found this by searching "blender daily challenge" in google and this was the top result. I think this should be resurrected in some way. A new challenge, daily/weekly/monthly or whatever.

  • adrian replied

    Hey digitz ,

    I am working on a challenge for next month, and hopefully they will be fairly regular. Watch the community forum,  coming soon 

  • Alec Gratto(digitz) replied

    That would be great. I look forward to it.