3D Learning Resources

updated: Jun/25*
This is not coding related, I know, but gamedev-learning related enough to be here! :) I’ve been asked about learning resources for 3D modeling and tried to make a list of tutorials I could remember - I’m highlighting the ones I’ve tried myself but I’ve heard good things about all of these. This list is low poly focused but the knowledge can be applied for anything else.
I haven’t been doing this for long - I started learning 3D a year ago and have been ever since but as a 2D artist the technical side of it still overwhelms me a lot. I’ve gone nowhere near animation yet but I’ve been adventuring with low poly quite a lot (which you can check out in #OceanHeart (image above) and #GemuNoGemu, - I also put up assets pics in a Trello here as well as stuff on my website). I mainly use Maya (now Maya LT) but I’ve been trying to tackle Blender too. Here are some helpful goodies I’ve found:
Maya:
- I started learning Maya with this series of videos on youtube by Misterh3d. I watched through units 1-7 and it’s a pretty great introduction! Nicely paced, covers a bunch you gotta know.
- A series on Low poly for game assets using Maya 2015
Blender:
- Blender 3D - Noob to Pro: for the basics! :)
- And another Blender course for beginners
- The super popular Secrets to Creating Low Poly Illustrations On Blender - great intro to making some low poly goodness :)
- Blender Cookie - CGCookie is a website that has a bunch of awesome tutorials (loads for free) on many softwares, including Unity. Take a look at this Low Poly Game Asset Creation tutorial.
- Some character creation tutorials by ward7299
- Bunch of really cool low poly tutorials here by Manuel Graphics!
- A Minecraft character modeling and texturing tutorial
All things 3D/low poly:
- Creating a low poly treasure island
- PigArt: rad speedart/timelapses of adorable looking low poly art, lots to learn from watching these :)
- Digital Tutors has loads of 3D modeling tutorials, some free some paid. Tried a few of those and they’re pretty cool!
Cool Misc stuff:
- Blender Cycles rendering introduction
- Creating flat colored low poly art. This is how I currently color all assets for Gemu (I used to color using materials or vertex colors before because I can’t stand UV unwrapping but this is a pretty easy alternative)
- Please do check the Polycount forum, so many cool references and useful info! Also do check their low poly thread :)
- There’s also reddit’s /low_poly
Study Files:
- Cocefi kindly uploaded a low poly model for download here :)
- You can download models on Sketchfab! Here are some popular low poly ones
- Lots of cool Cinema 4D project files for download here
Missmoo 3D:*
- Streaming: I often stream some of my modeling on Oceanheart and I’m always happy to share what I know :)
- My Sketchfab: I’ll be uploading some models for download shortly here
- This is how I texture my models for Oceanheart - I’m always sharing wip and processes in our devblog
Rad people making awesome 3D stuff:*
- @PIXELATEDCROWN
- @turnislefthome
- @chickysprout
- @metkis
- @korigame
- @GarretRandell
- @IMPLODINGORACLE
- @ultrakurtzwelle
- @khalkeus3d
- @AckkStudios
- @q_dork
- @andmish
- @heatpenn
- @dicey
- @torahhorse
- @mushbuh
This is it for now! :) I know it’s short but I hope I can keep it growing - I’ll add more stuff to it as I find other tuts (let me know if you have any suggestions!).







