Blender is 100% free to use for both students and professionals.
Even for commercial projects.
The reason that it is free is because it is open source - meaning that it is developed collaboratively by a community of volunteers and professionals around the world.
But What is Blender?
But hang on. Lets not get ahead of ourselves - I am sure most of you reading this will have some understanding on what Blender is, but lets go a little deeper.
Here is something that I made with Blender.
But hey... if you want a list!
Blender is:
- A powerful open-source 3D computer graphics software.
- Used for creating professional-grade animations
- visual effects software
- 3D modeller
- And much much more
For more info read my review of Blender!
And How can Blender Be Free???
Blender 3D is completely free to use!
It is an open-source software, which means it is freely available for everyone to download, install, and use.
Unlike many other 3D modelling and animation software, Blender 3D does not charge any licensing fees. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, you can access all the features and functionalities of Blender 3D without spending a dime.
This is in my opinion one of the reasons why it is so popular!
You know what they say about too good to be true!?
Well, it isn't the case here... at least mostly...
Although Blender 3D is a free software, there are certain instances where you might incur costs. Let's take a look at a few scenarios where you might need to spend some money:
Training and educational materials
If you are new to Blender 3D or want to enhance your skills, you may consider investing in training courses and educational materials.
Many online platforms offer comprehensive Blender 3D tutorials and courses for a fee.
The cost of these courses ranges from $20 to $200.
Investing in quality training can significantly enhance your learning experience and help you master Blender 3D faster.
Asset packs
Look... no one should ever guilt you into building everything from scratch.
After all...
Good artists copy; great artists steal.
At least according to our very good friend Picasso.
Of course I am not being completely serious. But there is a truth to this. You shouldn't do everything, if you did, you would never tell those amazing stories in your head!
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Join NowThere are many places where you can buy or download assets to use for your own projects. Just be careful about copyright!
A good example is The Blender Market.
A commercial market for buying third party assets for Blender specfically. That said, you are not limited to only blender files. You can use any 3D format that is supported by Blender.
Hardware Requirements:
Blender is a powerful software that requires a decent computer system to run smoothly.
If your existing hardware does not meet the minimum requirements, you may need to invest in a new computer or upgrade your existing one.
The cost of hardware upgrades can vary significantly depending on your specific needs and preferences.
For example, if you are working on more low poly scenes and assets, you can get away with a far less expensive computer. If however you plan on making high fidelity scenes and renders. You will need to not only invest in the hardware to create this, but also to future proof as you will undoubtedly need other software’s as well.
Which brings me to the final point.
Other Software
Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. But it isn’t the best at any one thing. Moreover, it is quite a generalist tool. And some tools are very underdeveloped within the ecosystem. (I am looking at you texture painting)...
It is important to accept that you may need other software to compliment your workflow and get the results that you need.
I know from experience that this can be a bitter pill to swallow.
A lot of times I see comments along the lines of doing everything within Blender.
And this is 100% the wrong mentality to have when looking at production.
That software may be free - but more often than not - It will be a paid software. For example Substance Suite or Marmoset Toolbag.
What are the Benefits of using Blender.
Well if you haven't already read my review, let me break it down for you.
Open-source nature:
As mentioned earlier, Blender 3D is an open-source software. This means that the source code is freely available, and you can modify and distribute it as per your requirements. The open-source nature promotes collaboration, innovation, and creativity within the Blender community.
Extensive feature set:
Blender 3D offers a vast array of features and tools that rival even premium 3D software. From modelling and sculpting to animation and rendering.
Blender 3D has everything you need to bring your ideas to life.
The software is continuously evolving, with regular updates and new features being added by the Blender community.
Active community support:
Blender 3D has a large and vibrant community of users and developers who actively contribute to its growth.
The community provides extensive support through online forums, tutorials, and documentation. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, you can find answers to your queries and get valuable advice from the Blender community.
Integration with other software:
Blender 3D seamlessly integrates with other industry-standard software such as Unreal Engine, Unity, and Adobe After Effects.
This allows you to leverage the strengths of different tools and create a powerful workflow. Whether you need to import assets from various sources or export your creations to other platforms, Blender 3D offers smooth interoperability.
Conclusion
Blender is an exceptional open-source software with a vast array of features and tools for 3D modeling and animation.
While the software itself is available for free, there are certain instances where you might need to spend money on additional resources and upgrades.
The cost of Blender Cloud subscription, Blender Market products, training materials, and hardware upgrades can vary depending on your specific requirements.
Despite the potential costs, Blender 3D offers an incredible value proposition.
The open-source nature, extensive feature set, active community support, and seamless integration with other software make it an attractive choice for both professionals and hobbyists.
Whether you're a seasoned 3D artist or just starting your journey, Blender 3D is a versatile and cost-effective solution worth considering.
