Is Blender hard for beginners? Learning Cycles nodes can force new users to throw in the towel – not in this course.

Blend Your Life Away is a course made for Blender beginners. It’s non-technical and easy to comprehend. Learn Blender from a creative perspective. This course isn’t designed to overwhelm beginners.

This course is taught using Blender version 2.92. During the production of this course, I was alerted that my computer could use an update to Blender version 2.93.

Despite Blender 3.0 being available, I didn’t want to push my system. I’ll wait until my computer says it’s okay to get 3.0 or any other Blender version.

From my studies, trails and errors, I’ll tell you this, which is one of the pillars of this course – Blender is Blender. No matter the version of Blender your using or is the current one at the time you’re reading this content, you’ll be golden. The exception to that rule is…unless there’s a major change which forces me to change some videos or re-record the course.

I’ll point you to excellent learning sources, which use various Blender versions. Keep in mind, you’ll need to adjust.

Getting Blender beginners adjusted will be easy as 1-2-3. We’ll start with a learning method utilizing an easy, yet “off the grid” 3d program. Next, we’ll make an iconic, Sci-fi object. Lastly, we’ll create a low-impact, no detail scene. The idea is to transform a basic concept into something visual.

Now, let’s address Blender’s biggest learning curve – CYCLES NODES.

In case you don’t know what nodes are…they’re modules with pre-programmed information. The key is connecting the right modules together to get the proper result. This is common with most 3d programs.

There’s tons of content and tutorials pertaining to making materials, like a water, glass, stucco and metal, all over the web. However, by the time they’re done with the node tree/network, beginners are left in a tailspin. That’s not a good place to start. These tutorials leave out two important details: where to start beginners and use your imagination.

Blend Your Life Away will show students the basics of putting node systems together with the use of instructor experiments. At the beginning of my Blender Way of Life, I had to find an outside source to get an idea of what to do with Cycles nodes. While developing this course’s learning process, I’ve figured a perfect place for beginners to start.

I’ll walk you through experiments I’ve conducted. You’ll see first hand, being an expert or having a “node degree” isn’t essential.

Matter of fact, I’ll show you sources to boost any Blender beginners confidence and aspirations. These sources range from “everyone” knows…common knowledge…little known…HIGHLY UNDER-RATED and…”I haven’t seen that Cycles node learning method before”.

Believe me, I wish I found these treasures when I first started Blender!

You’ll learn how to make models, organic and non-organic, using Blenders basic modeling tools: loop cuts, rotating faces, Sub-Division Surface modifier and the Mirror modifier.

I refuse to allow students to leave this course without the ability to make your own base, human mesh. This is unacceptable and it’s too easy. You’ll see the proof.

By the way, this is the first course I ever recorded. You will see things I didn’t foreshadow. There’s an entire section I omitted, due to recording on different systems. Also, I added content, that was recorded later…in a nutshell, pay no mind. You’ll be golden.

Sound Issues. I will inform you, there are a few videos, were the microphone wasn’t in place. It happens. Nonetheless, by the time you see those videos, you’ll know what I’m doing and what to do.

I’m grateful to have learned about Blender in November 2019. Blender version 2.8 wasn’t compatible with my 2011 Asus. Thankfully, I was able to find a beginning version of Blender, on the “away” system, that I could use at home. (2.74/2.79 worked for me, I wasn’t complaining).

December 2019, I purchased new HP only for Blender 2.8. Since…I had access to the “away” computer system, I focused on learning Blender with 2.74/2.79. Which brings me to the reason you’ll see screenshots in these versions.