CGI Success: Members Mastering Blender
Since we launched our new 3D CGI classes, we’ve been excited to see Visual Education members experimenting with Blender and expanding their CGI skills. Many are absolute beginners, trying CGI for the first time – and achieving some pretty incredible results!
We reached out to a few of those eager members to ask how they’re enjoying their CGI journey so far. Here are the answers they kindly shared, along with some of their renders.
© Pierre Abdulahad
Pierre Abdulahad
What renders have you created so far?
Many. The first, of course, was the lipstick from Ethan’s course. Since then I've done three or four perfume bottles, a couple of body-lotion tubes, and some whiskey glasses filled with whisky and ice – to name just a few.
What do you find most enjoyable about CGI?
The fact that you can change whatever detail you want, and your ‘studio’ can be as big as the whole world if you want.
What do you find most challenging?
Right now my challenge is mostly to make textures as realistic as possible.
Which aspects of your photography knowledge have been useful for CGI?
Almost every aspect. But if I had to name one, it would be lighting. Without good lighting knowledge, your renders will look very poor no matter what.
Do you plan to keep working with CGI?
Absolutely – so far it has been an amazing journey.
© Pierre Abdulahad
© Pierre Abdulahad
LEARN 3D CGI ONLINE
Blender Basics
In this 11-class course, Blender expert Ethan Davis introduces you to the key tools and techniques you need to get the best results out of this powerful software.
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Gareth Evans
What renders have you created so far?
Mainly cosmetic products as that’s what I will start producing for clients once I am proficient. Cosmetics are notorious for having tricky reflections and the high-end, abstract feel of CGI suits that market well!
What do you find most enjoyable about CGI?
The freedom from physics! I love being able to achieve a look in a few hours that, in traditional photography, would be impossible or require a huge setup/team and take a whole day.
What do you find most challenging?
Figuring out the most efficient way to achieve results. There are always 10 ways to do one thing. Learning the most efficient ways will help.
Which aspects of your photography knowledge have been useful for CGI?
Lighting, lighting lighting!
Do you plan to keep working with CGI?
Yes, 100%. I can’t wait for the next instalments of the CGI course!
© Gareth Evans
Danny Golan
What renders have you created so far?
A lipstick.
What do you find most enjoyable about CGI?
The ability to form and create something from scratch.
What do you find most challenging?
I think my biggest challenge is the UV mapping and texturing, along with understanding where my geometry may be wrong.
Which aspects of your photography knowledge have been useful for CGI?
The knowledge of lighting, no doubt.
Do you plan to keep working with CGI?
I sure do. I have a vision of how CGI may create more business opportunities for me in my local market (perhaps even globally) once I get it all fine-tuned.
© Danny Golan
LEARN 3D CGI ONLINE
Blender 3D: Product CGI
As Ethan produces incredible ad-style images of products like watches, fragrances and whisky bottles, you’ll learn how to apply a host of useful Blender techniques that will enable you to harness the full power of CGI.
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Masa Usuki
What renders have you created so far?
Two lipsticks so far: the lipstick Ethan creates in the tutorial, and a Dior one I shot previously.
What do you find most enjoyable about CGI?
Offering more solutions to clients – the ability to solve photography problems with CGI. I always enjoy finding solutions and saying “I can” for things when others can’t.
What do you find most challenging?
To be honest, everything was pretty challenging for me. When I’m learning new skills, there are always gaps between my own visualisation and what I actually see in front of me. Of course, after watching the tutorial, I picked up a lipstick to give it a try. But I initially struggled with the modelling and lighting processes.
Modelling:
It’s a challenge to understand the logic in general for 3D models – for instance, the algorithms relating the numbers of segments and edges you’re supposed to create. I’m sure my wireframes are still not appropriately optimised! For reference, I looked at a lot of existing wireframes online to see how other people approached the process.
Lighting:
I find diffraction works differently in Blender compared to real life. Or maybe I don’t yet have the necessary skills – this is highly possible!
Which aspects of your photography knowledge have been useful for CGI?
Thinking logically based on the physics of light. I’m sure knowing the theory of lighting helps you make your CGI renders more interesting and impressive. It also helps to be familiar with postproduction in Photoshop – crucial for finalising the image.
Do you plan to keep working with CGI?
Yes, of course!
© Masa Usuki
Now it's your turn!
Now you've seen the remarkable results these CGI beginners are already achieving, why not give it a try yourself?
Packed with 50+ accessible classes, our 3D CGI section contains everything you need to master the fundamentals and start creating top-quality renders.
You’ll find a comprehensive A-Z introduction to 3D CGI terminology, followed by an 11-class course covering the basics of Blender.
You'll then move on to some in-depth demonstrations of CGI product work as Ethan shows you how to use Blender to produce stunning images of watches, bottles, and fragrances.
So, what are you waiting for?
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Comments
A huge thanks to the KTE team for all the hard work done on this platform it is defiantly not for granted.
I have had my eye open to CGI but was reluctant to take the leap as software is quite expensive.
Once introduced to Blender however with Ethan’s great tutoring, learning and mastering CGI has now become one of my priorities and goals for the year to come.
Thanks Karl and the rest of the team for such a comprehensive platform
Thank you Danny, very glad to hear you are enjoying our new CGI classes.