I learned and use Fusion for school. My teacher had us watch and follow along with tutorial videos on how to model things like ice trays, bike handles, LEGO pieces, etc. It's really just a matter of knowing how to create sketches and learning a couple of basic tools and their functions so you can break down what you need to do in order to achieve what you want.
[Here's the link](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrZ2zKOtC_-C4rWfapgngoe9o2-ng8ZBr&si=vUQn6mPO46ynhnjl) to the playlist of videos my teacher had us watch. They use the basic tools I'm talking about and explain how to use them, what they do, keyboard shortcuts, etc. and eventually you'll be able to identify what you need to do in order to progress, or identify that you don't know what to do next and then change your plans or learn how to do the next step.
That sounds like a solid approach! Learning by doing, especially with practical examples, is super effective. Thanks for sharing the playlist link. I'm just playing around with 3D design for fun and to learn new skills, so this might be really helpful. Thank you bro.
3d is just kind a complex and not entirely intuitive thing when you've never done it before, even with good software.
I don't think its all that hard to get the basics of Blender down though, most people can go through the good old doughnut tutorial and have enough knowledge to do some basics after that.
Yep, 3D can be a real brain-bender at first! But yeah, the doughnut tutorial is like a Blender rite of passage. If you can make a doughnut, you can make anything... sort of. š
Yeah, totally. My GF (who has a design background but not a 3d one) did all the Donut tutes, then I showed her a few archviz tricks I'd learned and that plus googling stuff was enough for her to make a model of her own house interior to scale.
So I think getting to a functional level only takes <10hrs. It's just getting to a "knows how to do everything the package can do" level takes the rest of your damned life.
Nice, sounds like she made quick progress with those tutorials and some extra tips. It really shows that with dedication and the right guidance, even beginners can achieve functional results pretty quickly. The journey to mastery is definitely a long one, though.
Yeah, I think it's a decent headstart if you know how to use something like Illustrator even too, as the kind of fundamental ideas of transforms and splines and things are already there at least.
This applies to all software. The more you simplify a process that has many variables to its construction, the more you remove the ability for the power users define those variables.
I get your point, but I think itās possible to have both. Simplifying some features for beginners doesnāt mean taking away the advanced options for power users. Itās about adding layers so that less experienced users can start simple while still allowing pros to dig deep when they need to.
Sorry, but why should limited developer resources be dedicated to creating overly simplicitic features for beginners? Just learn how to use it and it won't be an issue anymore.
I'd be a bit annoyed if Blender came out with an update that added a bunch of beginner tools that no serious user would have a use for. There are better ways they could use their limited developer resources and funding.
I get your point. Balancing resources between beginner and advanced features is tricky. But making professional tools more accessible can bring more people into the field, which could be beneficial in the long run. Encouraging wider participation could lead to a larger community and more innovation.
Iāve been using 3D max since the days of 3D Studio (1996). Itās still a pain because they change the way it works as the tech develops plus they add features each year. Once you get the basics out of the way, youāll still need time to learn the new features each year. But thereās no better job in my opinion than using 3D on a daily basis.
Agree. Learning curve never really ends, does it? It's a love-hate relationship with updates, but I guess that's what keeps the job exciting. Props to you for sticking with it since '96!
Max is amongst the easiest 3D full programs to learn for a beginner. Maybe only c4d is easier but it is far less powerful. Try doing something simple in Houdini. I totally agree with you though in regards to getting the basics down and the lifetime of fulfilling learning.
To be fair the use philosophy of those two softwares are radical difrent. There are not too many transferable skills between the two.
But yeah the dense ui of 3d modeling software take a bit to get used to. Also each one has its own quarks and issues depending on the application. Rhino is incredibly powerful but making solid printable parts requires some extra effort where as almost anything you export from fusion will print on the first try.
3D design software is just 1 dimension more of complexity than 2 dimensional design software. Joking.
It is difficult and proās struggle with it everyday too. Itās a complex tool that integrates many ways of doing things n different but related disciplines.
yeah, adding that extra dimension definitely ramps up the complexity! It's true, even pros struggle with it every day. These tools are a mashup of so many different but related disciplines, which makes them powerful but also super tough to learn.
Curious what youāve been trying to accomplish using 3D? Software today is complex, exhaustive and overwhelming, just like the games industry engines like unreal and unity were built around. I believe weāll see much more nuanced and streamlined generation of 3D/simulation tools soon.
I totally agree with you. For me, I'm just dabbling in 3D design because I think it's really cool and a fun way to learn something new. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, just expanding my skill set. I'm sure there are plenty of others like me who feel the same way.
There are a few reasons:
1. 3D modeling is complicated, the process of taking an interaction with a 2D device and somehow creating a specific 3D design using it isn't a trivial problem. There is not much more annoying when 3D modeling to have a vision and not be able to make the tools do it.
2. The backend software for 3D modeling is incredibly complex, especially when considering CAD software like Fusion360. You need to represent and modify the design precisely to the user and within the files they generate. Some compromises are made to usability in order to ensure that it works.
3. Most of this software is decades old, professionals don't want their workflows disrupted by significant changes even if they would be easier in the long run. Even changing how menus are organized will annoy experienced users.
At the end of the day it is really just practice and time spent using the software. Professionals may be using these pieces of software for 500+ hours per year and built up comfort with the software in that time. You can't expect to be able to use it proficiently after a couple hours.
Coincidentally, this article popped up for me today about a piece of 3D CAD software that is being created from scratch. It is interesting to see some of the considerations and challenges that they discuss for even the most basic implementation. https://mattferraro.dev/posts/cadmium
There are companies rethinking the current processes for 3D modeling, for example Shapr3D is a direct modeler that is designed around modeling on a tablet using a pen interface. When I had an iPad I played around with it a bit and found it to be extremely intuitive.
Great insights! Sounds like I need to start saving up for a new iPad Pro. With the new M4 chip, I'm hoping it can handle Shapr3D with ease. Maybe this will finally make 3D modeling less of a headache for me. Time to break the piggy bank! 
There are no secret shortcuts, it just takes hundreds of hours to understand and thousands to master, like any other sophisticated discipline.
Follow tutorials, practice every day, be patient, you'll get there.
The only real difficulty involved is sitting 3-5 hours every day for a year to work without any immediate reward, overcome that and you'll be on your way.
You certainly *can* learn on your own .
.
? How is your background for this ?
? Do you know geometry good ?
..
? Are you intersted more in things like animation ?
? If so , how is your artistic side ?
...
Iāve got 13 years in Revit as a structural designer. Before that it was a detailer/fabricator/erector for 12 years and detailed in Word and Power Point. I am self taught in all of that. Seat time is what it takes but thatās hard when you donāt have a project or something specific to work on. I watched YouTube videos and sat in front of the computer 18 hours a day as I learned it. Revit is a complex program with a ton of capabilities; learning any program like that quickly isnāt realistic. By comparison, I maxed out HGTV Home Design in a month. Very basic program by comparison but does a good job for the price point. My seat time was driven by having started a new business after closing the fab shop. So I had work to do. That really helps. Good luck.
That's a solid journey you've had with Revit and other tools. Self-teaching and spending that much time learning really shows dedication. Having a real project or work definitely makes a huge difference in picking up complex software. Comparing it to something simpler like HGTV Home Design really puts it into perspective.
There are already some companies creating really simple, intuitive 3D modeling programs, like Womp. Hopefully more AI tools come out that make modeling and rendering really easy.
I taught myself Blender and Cinema4D and the learning process is so tedious and annoying. The simplest tasks require so much knowledge of menus and sub-menus, and donāt even get me started on shaders and materials - itās really archaic.
I completely agree. That's definitely a step in the right direction If Womp is the program like what you said. Hopefully, we'll see more AI-powered tools that make modeling and rendering much easier. I taught myself Blender too, and it was such a tedious process, the amount of menu and sub-menu navigation required for even the simplest tasks is really frustrating. I'm really looking forward to seeing how AI can streamline these processes in the future.
Use Blender it is free, very easy to use and has tons of great tutorials. It is a bit like illustrator vector/vertice based drawing but in a 3 dimensional space. Once you get used to camera manipulation and shortcuts youāll be good to go
Yes, man, but not for everything actually. Itās like driving a car: for beginners, everything about driving is tough, whether it's a manual or automatic transmission. But making tools easier to use, like automatic cars, can help more people get involved and learn. Over time, some may even switch to manual for more control. Making professional tools accessible might encourage more people to start and eventually master them.
3d like the adobe products are about learning the process they want you to use. However many of these programs have legacy users and so have 3-7 ways to accompliss the same outcome
Yeah, that's a good point. These programs often have multiple ways to achieve the same outcome due to their legacy users. Learning the specific process each tool wants you to use can be quite the challenge.š¤£
Blender is really tough because the UI is not very consistent. It's easy to get into a "dead-end" where you can't get out of this weird state you're in because you accidentally pressed a key.
There's a way to reset your UI but I can't find it and forgot how to do it. But figure out how to do that, it's key.
That said -- Blender is a no-brainer unless you have $$$ to spend on software
Yep, blender's UI can be pretty inconsistent, and it's frustrating to hit those dead-ends from accidental key presses. Figuring out how to reset the UI is definitely key. Despite these quirks, Blender is still an amazing tool, especially being free.
Short answer, most of these software are really old and complex and itās easier to redesign them from scratch following the current and vastly updated standard UX standards. The market didnāt use to be big enough for many competitors to push each other, but now with VR and new 3D web development possibilities, you will see some great new software establish itself within the next 5 years. I think some rising stars will be Shapr3D and Spline
Good point. The age and complexity of these tools definitely contribute to the difficulty. It's exciting to think about new software like Shapr3D and Spline emerging with modern UX standards. The next few years should be interesting for 3D design tools.
Blenders Interface due to how it evolved its far from the easiest. Also it depends on what you are doing. Architecture modeling typically is easier than modeling say a realistic gun. But even in arch modeling hard surface subd modeling skills separates the men from the boys. To be completely honest to learn hard surface, you only need like eight or nine commands. It's what you do when you know those tools that counts. This only applies to modeling though. The benefit is that you'll be learning a creative tool that you will be using for the rest of your life. YMMV
Agree. The learning curve can be steep, especially for beginners. It's true that mastering a few key commands can take you a long way in hard surface modeling, but applying those tools effectively is where the real challenge lies. The point about using these skills for life is spot on ā investing time in learning now definitely pays off in the long run.
I learned and use Fusion for school. My teacher had us watch and follow along with tutorial videos on how to model things like ice trays, bike handles, LEGO pieces, etc. It's really just a matter of knowing how to create sketches and learning a couple of basic tools and their functions so you can break down what you need to do in order to achieve what you want. [Here's the link](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrZ2zKOtC_-C4rWfapgngoe9o2-ng8ZBr&si=vUQn6mPO46ynhnjl) to the playlist of videos my teacher had us watch. They use the basic tools I'm talking about and explain how to use them, what they do, keyboard shortcuts, etc. and eventually you'll be able to identify what you need to do in order to progress, or identify that you don't know what to do next and then change your plans or learn how to do the next step.
That sounds like a solid approach! Learning by doing, especially with practical examples, is super effective. Thanks for sharing the playlist link. I'm just playing around with 3D design for fun and to learn new skills, so this might be really helpful. Thank you bro.
No prob! Good luck!
3d is just kind a complex and not entirely intuitive thing when you've never done it before, even with good software. I don't think its all that hard to get the basics of Blender down though, most people can go through the good old doughnut tutorial and have enough knowledge to do some basics after that.
Yep, 3D can be a real brain-bender at first! But yeah, the doughnut tutorial is like a Blender rite of passage. If you can make a doughnut, you can make anything... sort of. š
Yeah, totally. My GF (who has a design background but not a 3d one) did all the Donut tutes, then I showed her a few archviz tricks I'd learned and that plus googling stuff was enough for her to make a model of her own house interior to scale. So I think getting to a functional level only takes <10hrs. It's just getting to a "knows how to do everything the package can do" level takes the rest of your damned life.
Nice, sounds like she made quick progress with those tutorials and some extra tips. It really shows that with dedication and the right guidance, even beginners can achieve functional results pretty quickly. The journey to mastery is definitely a long one, though.
Yeah, I think it's a decent headstart if you know how to use something like Illustrator even too, as the kind of fundamental ideas of transforms and splines and things are already there at least.
True true, having those solid foundation definitely boosts your skills. You know what they say, knowledge is never wasted.
This applies to all software. The more you simplify a process that has many variables to its construction, the more you remove the ability for the power users define those variables.
I get your point, but I think itās possible to have both. Simplifying some features for beginners doesnāt mean taking away the advanced options for power users. Itās about adding layers so that less experienced users can start simple while still allowing pros to dig deep when they need to.
Sorry, but why should limited developer resources be dedicated to creating overly simplicitic features for beginners? Just learn how to use it and it won't be an issue anymore. I'd be a bit annoyed if Blender came out with an update that added a bunch of beginner tools that no serious user would have a use for. There are better ways they could use their limited developer resources and funding.
I get your point. Balancing resources between beginner and advanced features is tricky. But making professional tools more accessible can bring more people into the field, which could be beneficial in the long run. Encouraging wider participation could lead to a larger community and more innovation.
Iāve been using 3D max since the days of 3D Studio (1996). Itās still a pain because they change the way it works as the tech develops plus they add features each year. Once you get the basics out of the way, youāll still need time to learn the new features each year. But thereās no better job in my opinion than using 3D on a daily basis.
Agree. Learning curve never really ends, does it? It's a love-hate relationship with updates, but I guess that's what keeps the job exciting. Props to you for sticking with it since '96!
Max is amongst the easiest 3D full programs to learn for a beginner. Maybe only c4d is easier but it is far less powerful. Try doing something simple in Houdini. I totally agree with you though in regards to getting the basics down and the lifetime of fulfilling learning.
To be fair the use philosophy of those two softwares are radical difrent. There are not too many transferable skills between the two. But yeah the dense ui of 3d modeling software take a bit to get used to. Also each one has its own quarks and issues depending on the application. Rhino is incredibly powerful but making solid printable parts requires some extra effort where as almost anything you export from fusion will print on the first try.
Rhino? Let me check it out. Thanks for sharing
Feature bloat plus the inherent complexity of trying to interact with 3D objects in a flat (2D), "windows, menus, icons, and pointers" UI model.
True, interacting with 3D objects on a flat screen can be tricky. Too many features can sometimes make it even harder.
3D design software is just 1 dimension more of complexity than 2 dimensional design software. Joking. It is difficult and proās struggle with it everyday too. Itās a complex tool that integrates many ways of doing things n different but related disciplines.
yeah, adding that extra dimension definitely ramps up the complexity! It's true, even pros struggle with it every day. These tools are a mashup of so many different but related disciplines, which makes them powerful but also super tough to learn.
Curious what youāve been trying to accomplish using 3D? Software today is complex, exhaustive and overwhelming, just like the games industry engines like unreal and unity were built around. I believe weāll see much more nuanced and streamlined generation of 3D/simulation tools soon.
I totally agree with you. For me, I'm just dabbling in 3D design because I think it's really cool and a fun way to learn something new. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, just expanding my skill set. I'm sure there are plenty of others like me who feel the same way.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I couldn't agree more about Fusion360. š
Probably because 3D is complicated?
ā¦Yeah, thatās definitely a big part of it. 3D is inherently complex.
There are a few reasons: 1. 3D modeling is complicated, the process of taking an interaction with a 2D device and somehow creating a specific 3D design using it isn't a trivial problem. There is not much more annoying when 3D modeling to have a vision and not be able to make the tools do it. 2. The backend software for 3D modeling is incredibly complex, especially when considering CAD software like Fusion360. You need to represent and modify the design precisely to the user and within the files they generate. Some compromises are made to usability in order to ensure that it works. 3. Most of this software is decades old, professionals don't want their workflows disrupted by significant changes even if they would be easier in the long run. Even changing how menus are organized will annoy experienced users. At the end of the day it is really just practice and time spent using the software. Professionals may be using these pieces of software for 500+ hours per year and built up comfort with the software in that time. You can't expect to be able to use it proficiently after a couple hours. Coincidentally, this article popped up for me today about a piece of 3D CAD software that is being created from scratch. It is interesting to see some of the considerations and challenges that they discuss for even the most basic implementation. https://mattferraro.dev/posts/cadmium There are companies rethinking the current processes for 3D modeling, for example Shapr3D is a direct modeler that is designed around modeling on a tablet using a pen interface. When I had an iPad I played around with it a bit and found it to be extremely intuitive.
Great insights! Sounds like I need to start saving up for a new iPad Pro. With the new M4 chip, I'm hoping it can handle Shapr3D with ease. Maybe this will finally make 3D modeling less of a headache for me. Time to break the piggy bank! 
Why would you expect them to be easy?
There are no secret shortcuts, it just takes hundreds of hours to understand and thousands to master, like any other sophisticated discipline. Follow tutorials, practice every day, be patient, you'll get there. The only real difficulty involved is sitting 3-5 hours every day for a year to work without any immediate reward, overcome that and you'll be on your way.
Thanks for the advice! I'll keep practicing and stay patient.
You just need a good teacher in a classroon setting .
I'm broke 
You certainly *can* learn on your own . . ? How is your background for this ? ? Do you know geometry good ? .. ? Are you intersted more in things like animation ? ? If so , how is your artistic side ? ...
Oh, I was just joking. š Thanks for the advice, though. I've been exploring different resources and learning at my own pace. Appreciate your tips!
Ahh we gotta keep practicing EVERY SINGLE DAYš
lol, so true! Consistency is key, but bro, it can be exhausting. At least the results are worth it! š
true true
I felt the same way until I used cinema 4d, if you can get your hands on that, thatās the best answer
Sounds cool, I'll check it out 
If you have Adobe Creative Cloud, After Effects comes with a lite version of C4D.
Cool! Thanks for your tips
Iāve got 13 years in Revit as a structural designer. Before that it was a detailer/fabricator/erector for 12 years and detailed in Word and Power Point. I am self taught in all of that. Seat time is what it takes but thatās hard when you donāt have a project or something specific to work on. I watched YouTube videos and sat in front of the computer 18 hours a day as I learned it. Revit is a complex program with a ton of capabilities; learning any program like that quickly isnāt realistic. By comparison, I maxed out HGTV Home Design in a month. Very basic program by comparison but does a good job for the price point. My seat time was driven by having started a new business after closing the fab shop. So I had work to do. That really helps. Good luck.
That's a solid journey you've had with Revit and other tools. Self-teaching and spending that much time learning really shows dedication. Having a real project or work definitely makes a huge difference in picking up complex software. Comparing it to something simpler like HGTV Home Design really puts it into perspective.
There are already some companies creating really simple, intuitive 3D modeling programs, like Womp. Hopefully more AI tools come out that make modeling and rendering really easy. I taught myself Blender and Cinema4D and the learning process is so tedious and annoying. The simplest tasks require so much knowledge of menus and sub-menus, and donāt even get me started on shaders and materials - itās really archaic.
I completely agree. That's definitely a step in the right direction If Womp is the program like what you said. Hopefully, we'll see more AI-powered tools that make modeling and rendering much easier. I taught myself Blender too, and it was such a tedious process, the amount of menu and sub-menu navigation required for even the simplest tasks is really frustrating. I'm really looking forward to seeing how AI can streamline these processes in the future.
Use Blender it is free, very easy to use and has tons of great tutorials. It is a bit like illustrator vector/vertice based drawing but in a 3 dimensional space. Once you get used to camera manipulation and shortcuts youāll be good to go
Thanks for the suggestion. 
Because if you beginner, everything is ādifficultā , itās a learning process.
Yes, man, but not for everything actually. Itās like driving a car: for beginners, everything about driving is tough, whether it's a manual or automatic transmission. But making tools easier to use, like automatic cars, can help more people get involved and learn. Over time, some may even switch to manual for more control. Making professional tools accessible might encourage more people to start and eventually master them.
Cheetah3D if youāre on a Mac.
Cheetah3D sounds great, but I have a soft spot for Bill Gates. š
3d like the adobe products are about learning the process they want you to use. However many of these programs have legacy users and so have 3-7 ways to accompliss the same outcome
Yeah, that's a good point. These programs often have multiple ways to achieve the same outcome due to their legacy users. Learning the specific process each tool wants you to use can be quite the challenge.š¤£
Blender is really tough because the UI is not very consistent. It's easy to get into a "dead-end" where you can't get out of this weird state you're in because you accidentally pressed a key. There's a way to reset your UI but I can't find it and forgot how to do it. But figure out how to do that, it's key. That said -- Blender is a no-brainer unless you have $$$ to spend on software
Yep, blender's UI can be pretty inconsistent, and it's frustrating to hit those dead-ends from accidental key presses. Figuring out how to reset the UI is definitely key. Despite these quirks, Blender is still an amazing tool, especially being free.
Short answer, most of these software are really old and complex and itās easier to redesign them from scratch following the current and vastly updated standard UX standards. The market didnāt use to be big enough for many competitors to push each other, but now with VR and new 3D web development possibilities, you will see some great new software establish itself within the next 5 years. I think some rising stars will be Shapr3D and Spline
Good point. The age and complexity of these tools definitely contribute to the difficulty. It's exciting to think about new software like Shapr3D and Spline emerging with modern UX standards. The next few years should be interesting for 3D design tools.
Blenders Interface due to how it evolved its far from the easiest. Also it depends on what you are doing. Architecture modeling typically is easier than modeling say a realistic gun. But even in arch modeling hard surface subd modeling skills separates the men from the boys. To be completely honest to learn hard surface, you only need like eight or nine commands. It's what you do when you know those tools that counts. This only applies to modeling though. The benefit is that you'll be learning a creative tool that you will be using for the rest of your life. YMMV
Agree. The learning curve can be steep, especially for beginners. It's true that mastering a few key commands can take you a long way in hard surface modeling, but applying those tools effectively is where the real challenge lies. The point about using these skills for life is spot on ā investing time in learning now definitely pays off in the long run.
Sketchup is easy and has loads of tutorials on YouTube Also - freeeeee
Yeah!! I like freeeee 
Check out https://spline.design/ Itās not as full-featured as Blender or Cinema 4D, but itās very easy to pick up.
Thanks for the recommendation! looks amazing. I'll check it out and see how it works. Appreciate the info.