3D Modeling in Blender

Find out where to download Blender, a free and open source 3D Modeling and Animation package.

Before you get started on the course, be sure to download the resources from this lecture. Included in the resources are all the reference images used in the course, as well as the final blend file.

A complete guide to all the things I've changed in Blender to make modeling a little easier. These are personal preferences, but I highly suggest watching this video anyway. There's quite a few changes I would consider essential to change.

In this quick lecture I'll introduce you to a tool we'll be using throughout the course called the Subdivision Surface Modifier.

Setting up good background images in Blender is crucial for the project to go smoothly, so in this lecture we'll be setting up front, side, and back views of the guitar in Blender's background.

We'll start things off by creating the boards around the sides of the guitar.

Now we'll create strips of binding that go along the edges of the sideboards.

Next we'll create the front board for the guitar which has a sound hole cut out in the middle of it.

In this lecture we'll create a backboard quickly by duplicating the front board and modifying it.

Now we'll take a circle from the sound hole and use it to create a pick guard that goes on the surface of the front board.

Let's see what you've learned so far!

In this first part of this piece, we'll create the basic shapes and cutouts needed for the bridge object beneath the sound hole.

Now we'll be adding in a lattice to use to deform the basic bridge shape into the final curvy piece.

In this lecture we'll create the saddle for the bridge that the strings sit on.

Now we'll create the bridge pins that wedge the strings in place in the bridge.

The inside of the guitar has a few different components, and in this lecture we'll create a wood lining that goes around the edges.

Now we'll create horizontal slats on the front and back boards.

In this lecture we'll duplicate one of the back braces to create some side bracing that goes around the entire side board.

Now we'll start working on the neck and headstock. The headstock is at the top of the guitar, and we'll approach this carefully to make sure we get the right curves and shapes, as well as good clean topology.

Now we'll finish off the neck by creating the curvy extension at the bottom.

In this lecture we'll make a simple end cap that goes on the bottom of the neck.

Now we'll start off the fretboard area by creating the base board for it.

The strings sit on a piece at the top of the fretboard called a nut. This is a simpler shape that will be quick to make.

The fretboard has binding around its edges as well, and that's what we'll be creating in this lecture.

Now we'll make all the individual frets that go down the length of the fretboard.

The fretboard has spaced out circular markers going down the length of it, and that's what we'll be making here.

Now we'll begin working on the tuners on the headstock. We'll start by creating the largest piece that houses the mechanics on the back of the headstock.

Now we'll create a screw that we'll be using for all parts of the tuners as well as for other parts later in the course.

Next we'll start working on the knobs used to tighten and loosen the strings.

Now we'll connect the knob to the housing with an axle type object.

In this lecture we'll create the cylindrical pegs that stick out of the front of the headstock.

Now we'll take the one set of tuner objects and create all the other tuner objects with it. We'll also be randomizing everything's rotation so things don't look too repetitive between the multiple tuner sets.

In this lecture we'll create a couple metal buttons for a guitar strap to connect.

In this lecture we'll draw the path all the strings will take from the tuners down to the bridge pins. The result will be a set of curve objects that we can add thickness to in the next lecture.

Now we'll finish off the strings by adding some thickness to them.

In this lecture we'll begin some final touches, such as fixing some centering issues.

In this optional lecture we'll use boolean modifiers to create notches in the nut and the saddle for the strings to sit in.

Let's see what you've learned!

Congratulations on finishing the course, and thank you for supporting my training!