Beginner-Friendly Tutorial for Transitioning from 2D to 3D Design in Blender

created by Larry Nowicki on midjourney.com

Welcome to this beginner-friendly tutorial! If you’re comfortable with 2D design and ready to explore the exciting world of 3D design using Blender, this guide will walk you through the basics step by step.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know how to use Blender’s 2D tools to trace images and transform them into stunning 3D objects. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Getting Familiar with Blender’s Interface

When you open Blender, the interface might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! Here’s a breakdown:

1. 3D Viewport — This is the main work area where you’ll create and edit objects.
2. Toolbar — Found on the left side, this holds essential tools like Move, Scale, Rotate, etc.
3. Outliner — Located at the top-right, this organizes objects (like layers in Photoshop).
4. Properties Panel — On the right-hand side, this panel helps you adjust object properties, materials, and more.

Bonus Tip: Use the middle mouse button to rotate the 3D view. Scroll to zoom, and press Shift + middle mouse button to pan around.

Take a moment to play around with these areas to gain familiarity.