Switching from Other 3D Software

Years ago, I decided to switch to Blender, so I understand what you will encounter. That’s why, throughout the book, I share tips about the differences between Blender and other 3D software. I changed to Blender after using commercial software (3ds Max, Maya, and XSI) for years. Back then, when I jumped into Blender (version 2.47), it was not as user friendly as it is now. It’s still very unique software and when you open it for the first time, it may look a little alien to you.

Don’t worry, it’s completely understandable if it doesn’t make sense right away—just don’t give up! It won’t be easy at first. It took me three or four times checking different versions of Blender until I finally decided to go for it and start learning it for good. You’ll see “weird” things, like right-click selections (we’ll go through this one in the first chapters) or the omnipresent 3D cursor, with apparently no function at all, that you’ll always see in a scene.

Also, you’ll have to learn a lot of shortcuts. This is what makes the learning curve for Blender very difficult at the beginning, but once you get used to shortcuts, you’ll love them because they will allow you to work a lot faster in the long run. For example, before I used Blender, it was difficult for me to work with fewer than three different 3D views on the screen at the same time. Now I work in full screen with only one view, in a much more relaxed way. It’s like using the Expert Mode in other software all the time!

I’ve taught a lot of people how to use Blender and have talked with many others who came to Blender from another animation software; what usually happens is that they struggle at first (that’s why most people give up and stick to commercial software), but once they understand the basics, they start to love it and are soon devoted to it. They find that a lot of tasks are just easier or faster to do in Blender than they are in other software.

I really encourage you to keep exploring Blender and find out what it has to offer. I’ve learned to use a lot of different kinds of software and tools, and after repeating the learning process and switching between software several times, I’ve come to know the methods that work best for me, which I’ll share with you. The key to adjusting successfully to change (not only in software, but in any aspect of work or life) is to learn how to adapt yourself and be flexible. To some extent, you have to open your mind to allow the new software or work situation to get in. For example, some people might complain that Blender doesn’t have a particular tool or that a certain task was easier to accomplish in another type of animation software. Avoid this negative attitude at all costs and try to understand the new software, as each type of software has a different philosophy behind its development and work flow. Complaining is a waste of time and energy you could otherwise invest in something much more useful, like learning how to use the software. Force yourself to adapt!

Decide what you’re going to do and set a deadline for its completion: Begin with an easy project and do the best you can to complete it. That way, whether you have a good result or a bad result, at least you will have finished something. Having a deadline keeps you from drifting around for days and going crazy with small details that make the process too long. Usually, people start playing around with the software without a definite purpose in mind. This will give you a random output rather than a specific result. It won’t motivate you and will give you the impression that you can’t use this software.

Instead, if you propose a simple project, you have a goal to work toward and this will allow you to find and master the tools you need to achieve that goal. Once you finish your project, even if it’s not perfect, you will have learned to use some tools and will have a completed project to show for your efforts. This will ultimately motivate you to improve your skills next time with a more complex project that will require you to explore and learn about additional Blender tools.

Keep in mind that the key here is to start learning little by little, taking small steps to keep you motivated. If you start with a large, complex project that involves a lot of different steps, you may encounter problems at some point that will frustrate you. When you work on something small, even if you run into difficulties and the final result isn’t perfect, you don’t have that much time invested in it, so a less-than-perfect result won’t be a big issue. Over time, as you complete a few of these little projects in Blender, you’ll have acquired a knowledge base and will understand how the new software works; at that point, you can judge if you’re interested in learning more or if you are more comfortable with other software you’ve used.

There are many types of animation software available and each one is different, so depending on your work, your style, your taste, and your personality, you may prefer one over the other. What is intuitive and comfortable for some people may not be for others. However, if you give this new software a good test drive, maybe you’ll encounter some challenges, but you’ll also find features you didn’t know about that are really cool. In my case, I was very comfortable with 3ds Max, but after trying Blender extensively for a few days (Yes, only a few days—it was very intense, though!), I honestly couldn’t go back. Of course, I missed a few tools but, on the other hand, I found Blender’s advantages clearly worth it (in my case, anyway), so I’ve been using it ever since.

I hope this motivates you and encourages you to actually try Blender and give it a chance instead of just opening it and deciding you don’t like it because you can’t master it in 5 minutes. (I’ll bet you didn’t master any other software in the first 5 minutes either!) The keys to success with learning a new software are to develop a project with a feasible goal, set a deadline, and try your best to make it happen! No excuses, no complaints! Discipline and perseverance are critical elements to your success. While these tips are just guidelines and describe the method I use every time I need to learn new software, it may not be that useful for you or you may find a better approach. But if you don’t know where to start and feel discouraged, just try it!