Blender is a powerful program. It’s also free. So how better to make original footage videos without shooting, than doing it all in software? It was my first foray into real 3D modeling and animation. I’ve never had any 3D work on my reel other than Element 3D & After Effects, so I decided to acquire at least some knowledge and practice of the techniques.

It’s unrealistic to believe I could delve into 3D and start producing professional work immediately. It’s far more complex than that. It’ll take time just to become comfortable with basic elements like nodes, vertices, splines etc., and that doesn’t even touch on lighting, textures, or making things move. My key frame-based animation experience comes from decades of using After Effects for motion graphics, so there’s that. Thankfully it doesn’t take much to make or import basic models and then move cameras to create animations.

That’s what we have here. This bedroom scene was made with imported or modeled objects that I simply placed in a room. I then animated a camera along a simple path. I even brought in a photo from my portfolio to hang above the bed. It looks good. Blender is high-level 3D software for the masses. It’s also a great visualization tool for blocking and playing out scenes on a virtual 3D set. Interior designers or architects will find it handy for interior design renders. It’s pro-level quality for free. I love it when this happens.