Blender Environment Artist: Create 3D Worlds
- Description
- Curriculum
- FAQ
- Reviews
Welcome to Blender 2.8 and it’s stunning Eevee rendering engine. There’s never been a better time to start creating amazing 3D environments and preview them in real time!
This course is continually updated in response to student suggestions and feedback. If you would like to see something else relevant in the course just let us know.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner, or someone with years of artistic experience, Blender has everything you need to do the following…
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Create assets for video games.
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Make unique environment props.
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Become an experienced world creator.
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Express yourself through 3D artwork.
Blender is completely free to use and allows you to export your creations into any game engine, including Unity and Unreal.
This course starts simple, so no previous experience with 3D modelling is required. We cover modelling, texturing, lighting, layout, and many more core aspects needed for an environment artist. With our online tutorials, you’ll be amazed what you can achieve.
Michael Bridges is an experienced 3D artist who has taught more than 100,000 students how to create 3D artwork.
The entire course is project-based, so you will apply your new skills immediately to real 3D models. All the project files will be included, as well as additional references and resources – you’ll never get stuck. We provide challenges and solutions at each step to make sure that you are learning-by-doing and not just watching someone else make art.
For each model you build you will follow this process…
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Be challenged to build the entire model yourself.
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Be shown step-by step how to build it.
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Apply your knowledge regularly.
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Encouraged and Supported throughout your journey
You will get full lifetime access for a single one-off cost for the course. The creators are qualified and experienced with modelling and coding, so are able to explain complex concepts clearly, as well as entertain along the way. By the end of the course you’ll be very confident in not just the basics of Blender, but also how to master the software. You’ll be able to mock up environments quickly including lighting and textures and go on to create your own textures as well!
No matter what your background, your skills, or your interest, this course will give you a new set of skills that that will make you a much more capable 3D Environment Artist.
Note: access to this course comes with an optional, free community site where you can share games and 3D models, as well as connect with thousands other students.
Dive in now, you won’t be disappointed!
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1Welcome To The Environments Course
- Michael welcomes you to the course
- Explains the structure of the course
- First section is for complete beginners
(Unique Video Reference: 1_GS_BEC)
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2Getting Blender 2.8 Installed
- Why Blender 2.8
- Where to get Blender 2.8 from
- Explain Daily Builds
- CAUTION with existing Blender files
(Updated AFter Blender 2.80 Beta Release)
(Unique Video Reference: 2_GS_BEC)
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3Rendering in 2.8
In this video (objectives)…
- Explore the rendering options
- Pick a render options that suits you
- Learn the Rendering shortcut key
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to Render your objects to an image
(Unique Video Reference: 2a_GS_BEC)
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4Adding Objects
In this video (objectives)…
- All objects in Blender are added in the same way
- Add objects to the scene
- Look at the operator panel
- Note: You will need to switch into rendered mode to see lamps working
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand how to add, place and manipulate basic primitives, and other objects to form more complex structures.
(Unique Video Reference: 3_GS_BEC)
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5Transforming Objects
In this video (objectives)…
- Learn how to move, rotate and resize (scale)
- Learn how to reset those transforms
- Understand why you will need to apply those transforms
- Slowing down transforms
- Pivot points
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to manipulate objects in your scene, moving them, rotating them and changing their size
(Unique Video Reference: 4_GS_BEC)
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6Basic Model Organisation
In this video (objectives)…
- Naming our objects
- Using collections
- Organisation is down to you
- Join individual mesh objects into one
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand that naming and organisation might not seem important with smaller files but it is critical in larger ones
(Unique Video Reference: 5_GS_BEC)
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7Quiz 1
This will test your knowledge up to this point in the course!
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8The Boolean Modifier
In this video (objectives)…
- Use our first modifier
- It is a dynamic tool
- Understand its limitations
- Create some awesome shapes
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Use the Boolean modifier to quickly create more interesting meshes
(Unique Video Reference: 6_GS_BEC)
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9What Are ".blend1" Files?
In this video (objectives)…
- Look at what .blend files are
- How to turn them off or extend Blender's version control
- Explore Blender's File Browser
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to control whether or not you use Blender's version control or not
(Unique Video Reference: 7_GS_BEC)
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10Appending Another Blender Project
In this video (objectives)…
- Append another Blender files data into a new project
- Understand it is a copy, it will not update
- Start putting together our mock scene
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to import aspects of other Blender files into a project you are working on.
(Unique Video Reference: 8_GS_BEC)
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11The Array Modifier Basics
In this video (objectives)…
- Add a 2nd Modifier to the stack
- Understand the different between relative and absolute offsets
- See that order of the modifier stack is important
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to use the array modifier to place repeating objects
(Unique Video Reference: 9_GS_BEC)
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12Duplicating Objects
In this video (objectives)…
- Duplicating objects
- Linked duplication
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Using objects that exist already to speed up work flow and produce better results
(Unique Video Reference: 10_GS_BEC)
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13Quiz 2
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14Your First Instructor Hangout
Mikey and Rick sit down and discuss what it means to be an environmental artist.
(Unique Video Reference: 10a_GS_BEC)
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15Setting Up The Camera
In this video (objectives)…
- How to view the active camera
- How to move the camera around
- Framing the Scene
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to set up the camera ready to share your mockups
(Unique Video Reference: 11_GS_BEC)
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16Material Quick Tip: Base Colour
In this video (objectives)…
- Applied your first material
- Understand many objects can share the same material
- Base colour only scratches the surface of a materials properties
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to colour in the objects in the scene
(Unique Video Reference: 12_GS_BEC)
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17Repeating The Last Operation
In this video (objectives)…
- Learn a new workflow technique
- Only the previoUs operation, no more
- How to repeat a series of operations in a row
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to work more proficiently when working on projects that require repetition.
(Unique Video Reference: 13_GS_BEC)
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18Snapping
In this video (objectives)…
- How to toggle snapping on and off
- Different ways of Snapping
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to align objects in a scene with part of other objects.
(Unique Video Reference: 14_GS_BEC)
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19Randomize Transform
In this video (objectives)…
- How to quickly add variation to a compound object like a wall
- Another workflow speed up
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to use randomize transform to create a more interesting surface
(Unique Video Reference: 15_GS_BEC)
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20Quiz 3
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21Selection Methods
In this video (objectives)…
- Explore the various ways of selecting in Blender
- Right Click is your main one
- Border and Circle Select
- Shared object data
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to select objects in Blender with
(Unique Video Reference: 16_GS_BEC)
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22Rendering And Sharing Your Work
In this video (objectives)…
- Have a closer look at the Eevee engine
- Render an image
- Saving Your image
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to render your work to an image file ready to share with the world!
(Unique Video Reference: 17_GS_BEC)
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23Getting Started Mid Section Challenge
It is time for your Mid-Section Challenge! Here you will get to put all the knowledge you have discovered so far to good use by creating your own scene or model using primitives
(Unique Video Reference: 18_GS_BEC)
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24Reflective Materials
In this video (objectives)…
- Controlling the basic material properties
- Make a surface reflective
- Screen Space Reflections (Eevee)
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand that Roughness controls how reflective a surface is. With Eevee you need to turn on those reflections.
(Unique Video Reference: 19_GS_BEC)
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25Basic Lamps and Lighting
In this video (objectives)…
- Look at the lamp types
- Understand how they differ
- Change the colour of a lamp
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to add lamps to your scene to light your models more effectively.
(Unique Video Reference: 20_GS_BEC)
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26Quiz 4
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27Quick Tip: Basic World Lighting
In this video (objectives)…
- Look at the environment light
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Control the world lighting understanding it contributes a lot to your scene, and is sometimes best left off
(Unique Video Reference: 21_GS_BEC)
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283 Point Lighting Setup
In this video (objectives)…
- Understand the components of a 3 point lighting setup
- Understand the role of each part of the lighting
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand that lighting you scene or model is critical to showing off your work.
(Unique Video Reference: 22_GS_BEC)
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29Viewport and Camera Clipping
In this video (objectives)…
- Adjusting the Viewport clipping distance
- Adjusting the camera clipping distance
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand that there are 2 different clipping settings, one that affect your realtime view and once the final render.
(Unique Video Reference: 23_GS_BEC)
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30Default Workspaces
Michael shows you a recent change that affects the layout you see in the course vs yours
(Unique Video Reference: 23a_GS_BEC)
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31Volumetric Basics
In this video (objectives)…
- Create A Domain
- Open the Shader Editor
- tweak the settings to get the desired result.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Add a simple fog to our scene to create atmosphere
(Unique Video Reference: 24_GS_BEC)
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32End Of Getting Started Hangout
Mikey and Rick run through the end of section challenges already done and a few tips and tricks along the way.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Add a simple fog to our scene to create atmosphere
(Unique Video Reference: 24b_GS_BEC)
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33Getting Started End Of Section Challenge
Time to put together all of the knowledge so far into a final piece of work.
(Unique Video Reference: 25_GS_BEC)
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34Quiz 5
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35Getting Started Wrap Up
Well Done completing Section 1!
(Unique Video Reference: 99_GS_BEC)
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36Welcome To Texturing Basics
Michael welcomes you to the new section.
(Unique Video Reference: 1_TB_BEC)
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37Creating A New Work Space
In this video (objectives)…
- Create a new work space
- Name it appropriately
- Adjust the layout of the work space
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Manipulate Blenders interface and set it up for yourself.
(Unique Video Reference: 2_TB_BEC)
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38Introduction To The UV Image Editor
In this video (objectives)…
- Opened an image
- Panned and Zoomed
- Discovered an Images Properties
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be comfortable using the UV Image Editor
(Unique Video Reference: 3_TB_BEC)
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39What Is A Texture?
In this video (objectives)…
- Understand that the word texture describes the quality of a surface
- Typically associated with an image
- Can be generated by Blender
- Image Resolution
- Image Bit Depth
- RGB Channels
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand what a texture is and how it can be used
(Unique Video Reference: 4_TB_BEC)
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40Quiz 6
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41Material Node Introduction
In this video (objectives)…
- Understand Nodes - moving adding and deleting
- Understand the 4 different connection types
- Naming and grouping are important!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand that nodes are a form of visual programming with various input and outputs
(Unique Video Reference: 5_TB_BEC)
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42What Is UV Mapping?
In this video (objectives)…
- Understand what we use UV Unwrapping for
- Texture Co-ordinate node
- How to quickly unwrap a model
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand that you need to tell Blender HOW to apply am image to a model.
(Unique Video Reference: 6_TB_BEC)
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43Setting Up Material Studies
In this video (objectives)…
- Setup a series of objects to represent how your materials look on different surfaces.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a series of models to test your textures on.
(Unique Video Reference: 7_TB_BEC)
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44Using A Height Or Displacement Map
In this video (objectives)…
- Height map is a type of bump map
- Use The Subdivision modifier to generate geometry
- Using the displacement modifier
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to create geometry where there wasn't any before!
(Unique Video Reference: 8_TB_BEC)
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45Making Links
In this video (objectives)…
- Copying The Modifier Stack
- Works on several other items as well!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Copy select properties of one object to one or more objects
(Unique Video Reference: 9_TB_BEC)
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46Normal Maps
In this video (objectives)…
- Another type of bump map
- This deals with the direction of a surface
- Optimisation step
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand what normal maps are and how to setup and use them in Blender
(Unique Video Reference: 10_TB_BEC)
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47Height Map from Color Map
In this video (objectives)…
- Create a height map from only the colour map
- Exported the Height Map ans an image
- Use the new height map in Blender
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the compositor to export a height map from a colour map
(Unique Video Reference: 11_TB_BEC)
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48Height Map to Normal Map
In this video (objectives)…
- Use a height map as a normal map
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use your heightmaps as normal maps
(Unique Video Reference: 12_TB_BEC)
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49Quiz 7
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50Introduction To Hand Painting
In this video (objectives)…
- Create a New Image
- Change the mode of the UV Image Editor to Paint
- Paint a quick black and white image
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to create you own custom value image
(Unique Video Reference: 13_TB_BEC)
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51Introduction To UV Unwrapping
In this video (objectives)…
- Why we need to UV unwrap manually
- How to chop up our model using seams
- Understand how to add seams
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Your will be able to perform basic UV Unwrapping
(Unique Video Reference: 14_TB_BEC)
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52Checking UV Mapping
In this video (objectives)…
- Load an Image into the UV Image editor
- Understand what the two generated image types are used for.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Students will be able to use the two types of generated images to assess their unwrap.
(Unique Video Reference: 15_TB_BEC)
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53Transforming UV Maps
In this video (objectives)…
- Switch between the various selection modes in the UV Image Editor
- Synchronise with 3D view selection
- Select different parts of the UV Map
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to manipulate the UV map to position it correctly onto a texture
(Unique Video Reference: 16_TB_BEC)
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54Quiz 8
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55Pivot Points and Snapping UV Maps
In this video (objectives)…
- Change pivot points for scaling and rotating a UV map
- Use snapping to align UV maps
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to align UV maps with each other and with the image with much more precision.
(Unique Video Reference: 17_TB_BEC)
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56Challenge: Pivot Points and Snapping UV Maps
Michael presents the challenge solution to the previous lecture
(Unique Video Reference: 17a_TB_BEC)
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57Online Texture Sources
In this video (objectives)…
- Where to get pre-made textures from.
- What cc0 means
- What resolution do you need?
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the interest efficiently to find appropriate textures for your scenes
(Unique Video Reference: 18_TB_BEC)
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58Quiz 9
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59Node Wrangler Introduction
In this video (objectives)…
- Install the Node Wrangler Addon
- Explore some of the features
- make sure it starts every time with Blender.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand that add-ons like the Node Wrangler
(Unique Video Reference: 19_TB_BEC)
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60Multiple Materials
In this video (objectives)…
- You have choice where to control a single material with textures.
- Objects can have multiple materials assigned to them
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to able to apply multiple materials to a single mesh object.
(Unique Video Reference: 20_TB_BEC)
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61Baking Base Colour To One Texture
In this video (objectives)…
- Take Multiple materials
- Bake their base colour properties to one texture
- Use that texture on our model
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to perform basic texture baking from multiple materials
(Unique Video Reference: 21_TB_BEC)
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62Multiple UV Unwraps
In this video (objectives)…
- Make another UV Map
- Use a UV Map node to control how the texture is baked
- Bake one UV mapped model with multiple materials to a different UV setup
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to Unwrap you models with much more proficiency and understand when to use multiple UV Unwraps
(Unique Video Reference: 22_TB_BEC)
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63Generated Textures
In this video (objectives)…
- Look at the various types of generated textures
- Understand that they can be really quick and simple
- Can take considerable time to get a desired result
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand generated textures, where you might use them and their pros and cons
(Unique Video Reference: 23_TB_BEC)
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64Quiz 10
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65Quick Tip: Replacing Nodes
In this video (objectives)…
- Use a Node Wrangler feature to replace a node with another node
- Understand that it helps significantly if the node being replaced is similar
- Saves a great deal of time, avoiding having to relink nodes.
After watching (learning outcomes)… You will gain a better understanding of the Node wrangler and be able to use another one of it's features
(Unique Video Reference: 24_TB_BEC)
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66Mixing Nodes Together
In this video (objectives)…
- Look at the numerous ways that you can mix nodes together to create new outputs
- It is best to mix similar nodes together
- Things can get very create
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Create more advanced materials and have a better understanding of combining nodes together.
(Unique Video Reference: 25_TB_BEC)
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67Quick Tips: Node Wrangler Short Cuts
In this video (objectives)…
- Learn about another couple of Node Wrangler short-cuts
- Improve our node based workflow.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a much better understand of the
(Unique Video Reference: 26_TB_BEC)
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68The Color Ramp Introduction
In this video (objectives)…
- Explore the color ramp node
- Know how to change the settings
- Incorporate it into your node toolkit
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand how to use the colour ramp node to manipulate your textures
(Unique Video Reference: 27_TB_BEC)
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69Introducing the Bevel Modifier
In this video (objectives)…
- Enable the Bevel Modifier
- Use it to control the geometry around edges
- Saves having to make extra geometry manually
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the Bevel modifier to add edge geometry
(Unique Video Reference: 28_TB_BEC)
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70Quiz 11
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71Texturing Basics End Of Section Challenge
- Go through your scene and texture the surfaces
- Use textures that you think complement the surface
- Use image based textures, generated or a mix
- Did you know that volumetrics can be textured?
(Unique Video Reference: 29_TB_BEC)
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