CORE | Fundamentals of 3D Mesh Modeling in Blender

Instructor:
Jonathan Lampel

Welcome to the Mesh Modeling Fundamentals, the first course in the Blender CORE Fundamentals series. 

This course has taken a few different forms and has evolved a lot over the last 10 years and has successfully taught thousands of people how to 3D model. Like the name implies, we’re going to talk about the foundational, most important tools and concepts that you’ll need throughout your modeling journey, whether you’re going into games, animation, visual effects, industrial design, architecture, or any field of computer graphics.

By the end of this course, you should be able to model basic objects with ease and have a good idea of how to approach more complex ones. If you’re an intermediate or advanced modeler already, you can expect to fill in the gaps in your education, learn good habits, and improve the overall quality of your models. 

Get Caught Up

Are you brand new to Blender?

These courses should help you get up to speed in no time.

Blender Course Overview

Chapter 1

Intro to modeling

Learn all about the tools and concepts that are essential for all types of modeling workflows, including advanced selection, mesh operators, and good topology. 

Chapter 2

Hard Surface Modeling

Whether your models need to be low poly or high, we'll talk about how the crisp shapes of hard surface modeling can be achieved with modifiers, n-gons, and altered normals. 

Chapter 3

Subdivision Surface Modeling

Smooth, highly detailed shapes that melt into each other are incredibly satisfying, and you'll learn all about the foundational rules of topology that will help you create them. 

We love modeling with Blender

Don't just follow along, think along with us.

Check out the first two free lessons

Get this course and 274 others by joining CG Cookie

Awarded upon completion:
100xp +
Course Curriculum
53 Reviews
  • Travino Cordova(TCordova) ·

    Thanks for this! <3

  • P
    Pauline Larson(PaulineLarson) ·

    Great course.

  • Rodrigo Gomez(SoftCloud27) ·

    I had a very small understanding of blender before this. I could model one or two simple things, but there's a lot of stuff I didn't know prior to this course (and a lot of stuff I still have to learn xD)

    I really liked the way the things were explained, I just wished there were more exercises thrown in between lessons to practice stuff. Like for example a simple exercise using curves would've been good.

    Apart from that, I loved it! I'm thrilled to keep learning over here

  • L
    Leroy Joore(Leroy-Joore) ·

    I'm super happy I did this course. I now notice that I also dare to model more than before. Because of this course.

  • dezignbyze ·

    Hello there! I'm a design student from Germany, who created her first 3D project in Maya since it was part of the curriculumn. But due to the program's complexity (and over-the-moon-price) I decided to start over with 3D in Blender.

    I first watched CG Cookie's "Blender Basics" course, then followed the "PRESS START" course, where we build a 3D console together with Jonathan, who also created this course. Thanks to these two courses, I decided to get a monthly subscription and try it out and I'm not exaggerating when I say this Fundamentals course (along with the other two free courses) is everything you need to start modeling and, most importantly, to feel confident in Blender.

    The course is very well explained and not hard to understand at all. As someone who is usually scared to start with new programs, I've gotten the hang of the program quickly, followed each exercise, and later repeated them on my own. At no point did I feel like Jonathan was going too fast or forgetting that he were teaching beginners. The final exercise was a nice, relaxed way to inspire independent modeling and creativity instead of just following instructions.

    I will definitely continue with the other CORE Fundamentals courses and can wholeheartedly recomment it to anyone who wants to start and feel safe with Blender! FIVE STARS!!

  • C
    Charge0113 ·

    Amazing!

  • riyadvfx ·

    I just completed the "CORE | Fundamentals of 3D Mesh Modeling in Blender" course, and I couldn't be happier with the results. This is, hands down, the best starting point for anyone serious about learning Blender.


    Jonathan Lampel is an outstanding instructor. His explanations are incredibly clear and concise, making complex topics like topology, modifiers, and efficient mesh editing completely accessible. He doesn't just show you what to do; he explains the why behind every tool and technique, which is crucial for building a strong foundation.


    I learned so many things—from foundational navigation and selection tools to powerful modeling workflows. Every lesson felt perfectly paced, and the practical exercises solidify the knowledge immediately. I now feel fully equipped and confident to tackle my own 3D projects.


    If you are looking for a comprehensive, high-quality, and deeply rewarding course to learn 3D mesh modeling in Blender, look no further. Five stars—highly, highly recommended!

  • K
    Kiteso ·

    I really enjoyed this course due to Lampel's excellent approach at simplifying topics, such as quad junctions and topology. It made my learning experience much smoother.

  • Matthew Ullrey(ullreym) ·

    Thoroughly enjoyed going through this course. I got carried away with the final project til it seemed to have a life of its own and demanded more and more models.

    • author Kent Trammell(theluthier) ·

      We love to see students getting carried away! Thanks for the review, Matthew ❤️

  • Jean V ·

    This course is absolutely amazing! I learned so many tools, and that’s what makes it truly stand out for me. It doesn’t just teach you how to create a specific object or project—it actually shows you the tools and provides practical examples of how to use them. By watching this course, you’re not just learning to model one type of thing; you’re gaining skills and techniques that you can apply across your entire workflow ^^