Learn 3D

Install and setup

The first lesson is about downloading Blender, installing it on your computer and then setup the software

Navigation

This second lesson is about navigating in the 3D space.

Here is the link to download the file in order to follow the lesson:

Manipulation

Now you will learn how to manipulate objects. The file needed is the same as for the second lesson.

Materials, Lights and Render

This 4th part is about creating materials, adding lights and doing a render.

Objects Creation

In the final part you’ll learn how to create your very first object. Use the reference files below to help you.

Creating more objects

To keep on training our basics, we start with adding more objects to the scene. Use the references below to help you.

Using curves

In this part, we start using curves to create tubes for a chemistry kit! And as usual, the reference files are just below!

Edit Mode -1

This part is an introduction to Edit Mode where you can manipulate sub-parts of an object.

Edit Mode -2

In this video you’ll learn more tools and tips from the Edit Mode.

Modifiers -1

Here you will learn about the most common modifiers to create new objects such as a bookshelf and some test tubes

Modifiers –2

We’ll learn more about the modifiers: the subdivision surface to create a candle and then more magic from the array and bevel to create the chandelier.

Story Board

This video shows the story board for the project. It will give you an idea of what all this work is for and what is to come. Hope you like it!

Shaders Overview

In this video I deconstruct the shaders system so that you’ll be ready to tackle what is next to come! Hope you find it helpful 🙂 Take care 😉

Metal Shader

It is time for us to start creating our first shader. We’ll tackle a metal shader to discover how powerful the procedural textures are. Hope to see what you can create yourself 😉

Wood Shader

After a few tips on materials and some of their settings, we are on to creating a wood shader for the project.

Here is the link to download the file as promised:

Wax Shader

Moving on to create a wax shader and make these candles come to life (soon they’ll also dance with fire!).

Glass Shader

Now I think you are ready to move on to a glass shader. This is like an advanced shader but then you’ll be able to customize every aspect of it.

Asset Library and first Build

After checking out the new Asset Library, a Blender tool that easily allows you to drag and drop assets from a file, we’ll start building our workshop.

Finishing the workshop modelling

We still had to model the walls and floor details then the chimney, the plant and the wood beams. Most of this part was sped up so that it does not last too long as you now already know every technic used during this process.

Assigning materials to all objects

It is time for us to assign the materials we have created earlier to all the objects in the scene. In this video I’ll show you all my tips and the process to adjust the materials.

Working on the lighting

This can make or break a scene. Discover general tips about how to lit a scene using different kind of lights and an environment texture. Then we will apply this knowledge to the project.

Starting the VFX with lightnings

It is time to start with the VFX for this project. First we discover animations basics and follow with creating lghtnings. This is a mix with some modifiers and particle systems. Enjoy!

Particles VFX using force fields

Now we continue working on the VFX and after a short part on animation, we tackle force fields to modify particles behavior. Have fun!

Fire and Smoke VFX

Who’s never wanted to make fire VFX ? Here you will learn the basics to create any effect using fire and smoke.

Water simulation

After the fire comes the water. Follow along to learn how to simulate it.

Creating the Book

This is the last hero prop we needed to create so follow along to learn some more modelling tricks and how to prep a model for animation.

Rendering and Post-process

Once all the assets and animations are done, it is time to render everything and to add post-process to improve the images.

Sequencer

This tool is used to edit a video and even sound. Follow along to learn how to assemble all of the renders done so far into an animation video.

Post-mortem and student’s work

In this video I’m going over setbacks, thoughts I went through and also tricks I used to finish the project. Then, I’m really glad to present you with 2022’s Student’s Work.

The Alchemist Workshop: Finale Animation

I’m proud to present you the final animation based on these 6 months of course. I hope you like it, do not hesitate to let me know your thoughts.

Take care all

The MUS Ep.1 part 01 intro

I’m so happy to start working on this project I have written a few years back. Stay tune for the rest of the process.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 02 Overview of the Grease Pencil tool

I needed to introduce you to the grease pencil tool before moving on so that you also have the knowledge to follow along.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 03 Design of the 3D space using the Grease Pencil

Now that we have a grasp of the tool, it is time to start creating the set based on a 2D design. Follow along to create your own.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 04 Turning the 2D design into 3D objects

Hi, I turn the design into 3D objects in this video, follow along to use this technic on your own project.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 05 Refining the 3D to the final stage

After having added all the necessary details to the 3D models, I’ve worked on making the composition as good as possible with tweaking the lighting, especially inside the café.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 06 Adding the materials

In this video, I try, fail and then succeed in finding the right way to have materials that goes with the style I have in mind for this project. Keep going forward as failures are just part of the process.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 07 Finishing up the details with Grease Pencil

Because this project is about using the Grease Pencil, we added the final details to the scene using the grease pencil. It is a very fun and original way to do it.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 08 Character Design

We finished the character design for the main protagonist. Meet Mélanie everyone 🙂

The MUS Ep.1 Part 09 Storyboards

Before starting the animation process, it is very important for 2D to validate the camera’s point of view for every shot so here we did a rough storyboard 🙂

The MUS Ep.1 Part 10 Animation key poses and timing

Ladies and Gentlemen, now the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the start of the animation process with the key poses and the timing. It is a first step before refining it all.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 11 adding the in-betweens

Hi everyone, I add all the in-betweens in this video, a long process but necessary for the smoothness of the animation.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 12 the clean-up

Hello! This video is about the clean-up, a step where we’ll drawn properly every drawing. It is necessary to get a good base for the next steps. I also suggest some good 3D trick to use for 2D animation.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 13 the end of the clean-up

Hello everyone, in this video I’m finishing off the clean-up. All the process is spedup and hopefully you can grasp enough to motivate you to keep on working on yours.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 14 Colors

Hello all, colors are just on time for this wonderful time in the year that is christmas (at the time I write these lines). Hope you enjoy watching how I’m adding the flats to this animation. Take care and enjoy life.

The MUS Ep.1 Part 15 The final Sequence

Hello everyone, here we are, the result of all the work we’ve done so far. The video shows the final stages of colors, lights and shadow pass and then go on with the other characters, the compositing and finally, the result with sounds. Enjoy!

Our Worlds Part 01 Intro to the project and Blender Skill Test

That is right, after a few words presenting this new project, I challenge you with a fun and exciting scene where all your knowledge is put to the test.

You might have seen challenges on the internet where everyone uses a predefined scene with the same camera movement, that is the basis of all Our Worlds that will be put together into a short animated video.

But before we tackle that, try solving the mysteries of these Pirates Island. The link below direct you to the file and watch the video for all the necessary explainations.

Take care everyone and enjoy the start of the year 2023!

Our Worlds Part 02 Introducing World Building and a new Challenge on shapes

In this part, it is time for us to talk about what is a world. What the 3 main characteristics could be and after having learnt that, I introduce a new challenge to practice working on shapes.

Our Worlds Part 03 The last two elements of the world, work on colors and lights

Here we start our work on the colors via shaders and we also discuss the lighting using mood or emotions as a base for out light setup.

Below you can download the file to use as a base for the work on shaders and lights.

Our Worlds Part 04 A video introducing composition

In this video, the last one before we start creating the scene, I introduce you to the basic concepts of composition. Learn more by watching the video linked below.

And for those of you who want to follow along, below is the link to the project’s file, where you will have the same camera and pillars than us. Remember to solve the riddles from the Blender Test to get the code that unlock the *.zip file.

Our Worlds Part 05 3D blockOut of the scene.

In this video we create a 3D blockout based on the previous video’s composition, the man reaching out for a hamburger. Follow me when I use simple shape and objects to create well constructed scenes for the project.

Our Worlds Part 06 Refining the 3D

Now that the blockout has been validated, this step is about refining the 3D, adding details and why not some more elements to the story.

I also created a new scene to show off some other tools and another scenario.

Enjoy!

Our Worlds Part 07 Lighting

With great models can come great Lighting. We set out to add more justified lights to use with the Cycles render engine.

Then, as usual now, we start a small block out as a demonstration.

Our Worlds Part 08 Materials

We are adding the materials to get that 80s vibe we are looking for.

Then, I have kept the good habit of adding another scene to show what is also possible regarding the point of view.

Our Worlds Part 09 Rendering

Hello

This video walks you through the rendering process for the hamburger scene.

And adds yet another theme to the block outs serie.

Enjoy

Our Worlds Part 10 Post Processing

Hi all 🙂

This part is about post-processing, adjusting the rendered images to suit our needs. I’ll walk you through adding nodes and launching the final computing of the images.

Plus as usual another block out scene, going deep underwater 😉

Take care

Our Worlds Part 11 SpaceShip

Hello everyone,

I have decided to take a blockout from some earlier videos and push it further to demonstrate some other design technics

Feel free to watch it and give me feedbacks on the process.

Take care 😉

Our Worlds Part 12 LaunchPad Ready!

Hi All 🙂

Here we get ready for launch. I have added details to the launch pad and improved the materials.

Watch the video to see more.

Take care 😉