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

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot (Coursera) Coursera
Wesleyan University

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot (Coursera)

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to 3D Modeling (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to 3D Modeling (Coursera)

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. This course will guide you through 3D modeling within Rhino, so you’ll cover the fundamentals of the software as well as 3D modeling in general. You’ll first look at how to navigate the user interface and the different tools that you’ll be using to create models throughout this course. You’ll familiarize yourself with the 3D space and 3D objects before jumping straight in to create your own objects and building blocks.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
A-level Study Boost: Unseen Poetry and the Creative Process (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

A-level Study Boost: Unseen Poetry and the Creative Process (FutureLearn)

Discover effective techniques to analyse unseen poetry and learn about the creative writing process. Improve your skills in analysis and creative writing. What do you do when you encounter a poem for the first time? How can the process of writing poetry help you to enjoy and understand the written word in new ways? On this course, you’ll explore strategies for close reading and creative writing using a poem called ‘Patagonia’ by Kate Clanchy as a case study.

No sessions available
2 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
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (Coursera) Coursera
California Institute of the Arts

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (Coursera)

Why just write poems when you can write better ones? This course is built on the notion that the most exciting writing begins after the first draft. It is specifically for folks who believe that writing poems just to express oneself is like using the Internet just for email. After all, poetry can change the way you and your readers think of the world and its inhabitants; it can break new ground for language; turn a blank sheet of paper into a teeming concert of voices and music.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Design Computing: 3D Modeling in Rhinoceros with Python/Rhinoscript (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Design Computing: 3D Modeling in Rhinoceros with Python/Rhinoscript (Coursera)

Why should a designer learn to code? As our world is increasingly impacted by the use of algorithms, designers must learn how to use and create design computing programs. Designers must go beyond the narrowly focused use of computers in the automation of simple drafting/modeling tasks and instead explore the extraordinary potential digitalization holds for design culture/practice.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Testing Times in the Classroom: Challenges of 21st Century Education (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Exeter

Testing Times in the Classroom: Challenges of 21st Century Education (FutureLearn)

Explore debates surrounding education in the 21st century - how has education changed and what are the concerns for the future? Challenge the way you think about the key issues affecting education today. Are schools too focussed on assessments? Is education just about profit? Does the classroom affect children’s creativity? These are some of the questions that surround education in the present day.

Available now
4 Weeks
Pixel Art for Video Games (Coursera) Coursera
Michigan State University

Pixel Art for Video Games (Coursera)

This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Art & Activity: Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Art (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

Art & Activity: Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Art (Coursera)

Art can be a powerful catalyst for building skills and understanding a range of subjects. Intended for primary and secondary teachers of all disciplines, Art & Activity builds upon the inquiry-based approaches of Art and Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom, while delving into activity-based strategies that will make your students empowered participants.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Innovar (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Innovar (Coursera)

La innovación ha cobrado una importancia significativa en las corporaciones de hoy, y con frecuencia es vista como un motor importante de crecimiento y éxito en una organización. En este curso introductorio, usted aprenderá sobre el significado, la importancia, el proceso e impacto de la innovación.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks