3D Modeling for Beginners by Monica Trochez-Hayes

This course is a straight shot from zero to a portfolio-ready 3D project. You’ll learn the core modeling techniques used in animation, VFX, and games by building a complete chess set in Blender. No fluff, just practical skills you can apply immediately.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Create professional 3D models using box modeling, edge modeling, Booleans, curves, and sculpting.
• Understand the importance of good topology and polygon count for clean, deformable models.
• Model any hard-surface object from scratch using simple shapes and geometry modification.
• Create and assign materials, set up lighting and a camera, and render a final high-resolution image.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Familiarity with the Blender interface and basic navigation. If you’re brand new, check out Monica’s “Introduction to Blender 3D” class first.
• Tools: A three-button mouse is recommended but not mandatory.
• Hardware: A computer that can run Blender version 2.9 or higher.

📝 Description

This isn’t a “click here, do that” tutorial. Monica walks you through the why behind each technique. You’ll start by learning five core modeling methods: box modeling, edge modeling, Booleans, curves, and sculpting. Each one is a tool in your belt, and you’ll learn exactly when to use which.

Then, you build. Piece by piece, you’ll model the entire chess set. The Pawn teaches you one approach, the Knight another. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of hard-surface modeling fundamentals. The final lessons cover materials, lighting, and rendering, so you can show off your work with a professional-looking image. It’s a focused, efficient path to real skill.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Absolute beginners who want to learn 3D modeling the right way, with professional techniques.
• Hobbyists who have played around in Blender and want to get serious about modeling.
• Anyone curious about the 3D pipelines used in animation, VFX, and games.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Monica Trochez-Hayes is a professional CG Modeler currently working at LAIKA, the acclaimed stop-motion animation studio. She holds a degree in Multimedia Engineering and a Master of Arts in Visual Effects. Her experience in a top-tier studio means the workflows and tips she shares are the real deal, straight from the industry.

🏁 Final Result

• A complete, fully modeled chess set (Pawn, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Queen, King, and board).
• A high-resolution rendered image of your chess set, showcasing your new skills in modeling, materials, lighting, and composition.