Introduction to 3D Animation using Blender (FutureLearn)

Offered by VR Voom,
Introduction to 3D Animation using Blender (FutureLearn)

Discover the basics of 3D modelling and bring your imagination to life by animating your creations with Blender. Unleash your creativity with 3D modelling and animation. 3D animation is everywhere; in games, movies, commercials, and the industry is growing exponentially. It’s also more accessible now, with tools and training available to everyone, like the free 3D computer graphics software Blender.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course from VR Voom will introduce you to 3D modelling and animation using Blender. Whether you’re looking to use animation for personal projects or to move into a creative professional career, this course will teach you the skills to start your animation journey.
Create your first 3D animation using Blender
As you progress through the course, you’ll build and animate different 3D models on their own, such as a bouncing ball and a simple character. This will prepare you to take your skills to the next level.
For your final project, you’ll let your imagination run wild by creating your own 3D environment with full character models for you to animate, bringing your masterpiece to life.

Explore the key differences between 3D and 2D animation
You’ll start by understanding how 3D animation differs from 2D animation, looking at the benefits and limitations of both.
You’ll then dive into the basics of 3D animation, from what it is and where it’s used to 3D models and rigs. This will lay the groundwork for creating your own 3D animations

Learn the basics of 3D modelling in Blender
This practical course will take you through how to use Blender to create 3D models. You’ll learn the basics of 3D modelling, from what a 3D mesh is to how polygons affect the detail of a 3D object.
Once you have the basics, you’ll move on to creating your own models in Blender. To begin with, you’ll create a simple house, step-by-step, moulding objects into the required shapes and moving them into place, before tackling more complex creations.

What topics will you cover?

  • The differences between 3D and 2D.
  • Basic 3D knowledge.
  • Basic 3D modelling
  • Understanding animation principles.

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?
This course is designed as a complete introduction to 3D modelling and 3D animation. You don’t need to have any previous experience in either field as the course will take you through each step of the process.

What software or tools do you need?
For this course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with the capabilities to run Blender. The software is free so there are no additional charges.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Fundamentos del Emprendimiento: Pensamiento y Acción (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Fundamentos del Emprendimiento: Pensamiento y Acción (Coursera)

El éxito en los negocios puede aumentar enormemente cuando se comprenden las características de emprendimiento claves y las soluciones basadas en las competencias. En este curso interactivo se brinda el conocimiento que los emprendedores potenciales necesitan para tener éxito en una oportunidad empresarial.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
What Is Contemporary Art? (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

What Is Contemporary Art? (Coursera)

What is contemporary art? In this course, you’ll consider this question through more than 70 works of art made between 1980 and the present, with a focus on art from the past decade. You’ll hear directly from artists, architects, and designers from around the globe about their creative processes, materials, and inspiration.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Unlocking The Creative Brain: Develop and Teach Skills For Creative Thinking (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Central Queensland University

Unlocking The Creative Brain: Develop and Teach Skills For Creative Thinking (FutureLearn)

Explore the neuroscientific principles underpinning creativity, and learn the scientific methods to foster creative classrooms. Discover the neuroscience of creativity. Creativity is an extremely important skill but it can be difficult to explain and to teach others. There is a science to it though, and we can link research into the brain’s functions to the creative process.

Available now
4 Weeks
Creativity, Innovation, and Change (Coursera) Coursera
Pennsylvania State University

Creativity, Innovation, and Change (Coursera)

Our lives are being disrupted by pandemics, global warming, wars, political chaos, and technological innovations. We must prepare for an unpredictable and unknown future - and this is the goal of the course on Creativity, Innovation and Transformation (CIT)! CIT is an upgrade of the former Creativity, Innovation and Change (CIC) course, which is now streamlined and updated with a new module on Transformation.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Filmmaking and Animation in the Classroom (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
INTO FILM

Filmmaking and Animation in the Classroom (FutureLearn)

Learn how to use simple filmmaking and animation to bring learning to life, and aid cross-curricular attainment and assessment. This free online course will help anyone working with young people aged 5-19 to engage them in learning through simple filmmaking and animation. You’ll discover how film and animation can be used as powerful tools for encouraging active learning and enabling pupils to establish strong connections with any area of the curriculum.

Jan 31st 2022
3 Weeks
UX Design Strategy and Application: Strategy, Innovation and the Future of Work (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

UX Design Strategy and Application: Strategy, Innovation and the Future of Work (FutureLearn)

Discover the role of creativity, innovation and strategy in UX design and consider the benefits and challenges of remote working. Understand creativity and innovation. UX designers need to use creativity and innovation to understand user needs, visualise ways to improve the customer journey and solve problems. In this course you will explore the relationship between innovation, creativity and strategy. You will learn how to facilitate these concepts in every stage of the UX Design process.

May 23rd 2022
4 Weeks
Explore Animation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
National Film and Television School - NFTS

Explore Animation (FutureLearn)

Learn animation techniques such as stop motion, 2D, CGI and pixilation, in this NFTS course with award-winning animators. Become an expert animator and master different animation techniques Whether you’re a budding animator or animation fan, this 4-week online course from the internationally acclaimed National Film and Television School (NFTS) will have something for you. Our team of award-winning animators will take you through their approach to telling stories and demystify their own animation technique.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Music for Wellness (Coursera) Coursera
Berklee College of Music

Music for Wellness (Coursera)

You love music. You listen to music all the time. Maybe you sing, play an instrument, or compose music. You don’t need to have musical talent to use music to enhance your well being, and even your health. Learn simple techniques to enrich your mind, body, and spirit through music. The methods can be applied in your daily life, particularly when you are feeling down or stressed out.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Start Writing Fiction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Start Writing Fiction (FutureLearn)

Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course. Discover the rituals and approaches that successful fiction writers use. On this online course, established writers – including Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts and Monique Roffey – will talk about how they started writing.

Apr 15th 2024
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to 3D Modeling (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Introduction to 3D Modeling (FutureLearn)

Build your design skills and learn how to use Rhino software to create, edit, and render amazing 3D models. Grow your knowledge of design and 3D modeling. On this four-week practical course from the University of Michigan, you’ll not only learn how to use the Rhino software to create your 3D models, but you’ll also gain basic design skills to help bring your imagination to life.

Jun 28th 2021
4 Weeks