MediaArtTutorials

Blender Tutorials

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🌆 Environment Modeling Instructions

Time: 45 min

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Plan and Prepare

Create a New Blender File

• Go to File → New → General
• Save your file as: YourName_SceneModel.blend
• ⚠️ Don’t forget to press Ctrl + S regularly to save your progress.

Think Small (But Meaningful)

You’re only building a section of your world — enough to give your character context.

Examples:

• 🛏️ A room → Just 2 walls and part of the floor
• 🌲 A forest → A small clearing with 3–4 trees
• 🛰️ A space station → One hallway or pod
• 🌌 A dream world → One floating platform or terrain patch
• 🏞️ A park → One bench, a path, a bush, and a tree

You’ll add the character later — leave open space for them to stand or move!

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Create a Ground Plane

• Press Shift + A → Mesh → Plane
• Press S to scale it large enough for your scene
• Add a Solidify Modifier to give it thickness (optional but recommended)

Step 2 – Block Out Your Space (for indoor environments only)

• Press Shift + A → Mesh → Cube → Scale/rotate into walls, floors, or stairs
• Press Tab to enter Edit Mode → Select four faces (as shown in the image) → Press X to delete them
• Use G, R, and S to move, rotate, and scale objects

• Optional: Create divisions and use Extrude on faces or the Boolean Modifier to create doors or windows

Step 3 – Add Props or Environmental Objects

• Use basic shapes (e.g., cylinders, spheres, cubes) and modifiers to create furniture or decorations
• OR import ready-made models from Sketchfab (see instructions below)
• You can also modify your ground to make it more rocky or organic.

Tips for Blocking Your Space

• Start big to small: ground → walls → details
• Don’t overbuild — focus on what your character sees
• Leave room for character movement or interaction
• Use Array or Mirror modifiers for repetition (fences, tiles, etc.)

Use These Tools & Modifiers

🔧 Tools

Tool	Shortcut	Use for…
Add Object	Shift + A	Add basic shapes
Move / Rotate / Scale	G / R / S	Place and transform objects
Join Objects	Ctrl + J	Combine multiple meshes
Shade Smooth	Right-click	Soften surface shading
Snap Tool	Shift + Tab	Align objects easily
Join Objects	Ctrl + J	Combine multiple meshes
Shade Smooth	Right-click	Soften surface shading
Snap Tool	Right-click on mesh	Align shapes perfectly
✨ Loop Cuts	Ctrl + R in Edit Mode	Add structure or divisions
✨ Extrude Faces	Tab → Edit Mode → E	Pull up walls or stretch planes
✨ Inset Faces	I in Edit Mode	Create windows, frames, steps
✨ Bevel Edges	Ctrl + B in Edit Mode	Round out or soften corners

🧰 Modifiers

Modifier	How to access	Use for…
Mirror	Modifiers Tab	Build symmetrical characters
Subdivision Surface	Modifiers Tab	Smooth rounded shapes
Array	Modifiers Tab	Repeats objects in rows
Boolean	Modifiers Tab	Combines or subtracts shapes
Solidify	Modifiers Tab	Gives flat shapes a thickness
Wireframe Modifier	Modifiers Tab	Start with a line “skeleton”
Skin Modifier	Modifiers Tab	Wraps a mesh around your skeleton

Tutorials

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📦 Sketchfab (Optional Props)

Step 1: Browse

https://sketchfab.com/search

• Search: "chair", "rock", "tree" etc.
• Filter: Downloadable, License: CC, Format: OBJ
• Look for free simple models

Step 2: Import into Blender

• File → Import → .obj
• Locate your downloaded file
• Use G and S to position and scale

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💾 File Saving

• Go to File → Save or File → Save As
• Use filename: YourName_SceneModel.blend
• Save to your USB or class folder

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📝 Reflection

What feeling do you want your space to give your character (and the viewer)?
→ Is it cozy, eerie, magical, futuristic, chaotic, peaceful, or something else? —