Blender for Backgrounds

[indigodrawing]

I've always struggled with doing backgrounds and I had the idea of maybe using 3D software to build up some sets which I can then use to do the backgrounds. That way I won't have to worry about keeping them consistent, I can get a better sense of spacial layout, I only need to make a model once to create views of it from many different directions, etc. My plan would probably involve just rendering out a very simple model of the rooms/environments and then tracing over the top of them so it still looks like my art.

As Blender is free and apparently quite popular I thought I'd give that a try. However it's very difficult to get into. The new upcoming version (blender 2.8) does appear to have made some progress in terms of its user interface, but it's also not got a lot of tutorials associated with it. I'd rather focus on 2.8 because a) it seems like a better user experience and b) why bother learning a user interface that's about to become obsolete anyway?

Can anyone recommend tutorials for beginners that focus on architecture/environments and which cover blender 2.8?

Does anybody else take the mixed media approach and use 3D software to create backgrounds for traditionally drawn art? If so how have you found it? Are there any issues I need to be aware of?

[kip]

I had this same question awhile back:

Help with Blender?

also for backgrounds, it’s worth looking into SketchUp, which is a lot simpler and has a good free database of premade items and scenes.

[indigodrawing]

I did have a look at sketchup back in the day, but its current status as non-free is kind of offputting and it felt kind of clunky to me in use.

Blender seems far more powerful, plus it's not going to put any restrictions on what I can or can't do with the work I create with it

[kip]

Oh really? I had no idea they changed it, guess I still have the free version. That sucks.
good luck with blender

[indigodrawing]

I believe there still is a free version, but it's highly restricted, and they also impose restrictions on what you can do with the content you create with it.

[JeanGuillet]

ME! me me me me me!

Blender Guru is a great jumping off point for 2.8 tutorials and architecture...
Creative Shrimp has thousands of excellent tips and tricks

and I do a comic with 3d Blender backgrounds for the architecture. It's been really helpful for letting me realize such an expansive vision as a solo comic creator, and to be able to stay consistent with the level of output that I do. I only wish I discovered blender earlier in my journey on this. Highly recommend. People may complain about my sucky (but improving!) anatomy but never about the backgrounds.

Chateau Grief | Tapas

[fluffybonezz]

I model some (but not all) of my backgrounds in Maya, but regardless of what 3D modeling software you use, it's a good way to save time and helps you keep your perspective correct.

You can even download premade 3D models from different websites. Some are free and some cost money, but they're good in a pinch.

I've never really used Blender, but I've heard good things about it. If you want to give Maya a shot, you can get it free for 3 years if you are a student.

[zammap]

I just started using blender and I find doing little stuff and giving yourself bigger and bigger task helps (kinda like they do in school lol). I started off making a mask for a character. I thought it would be easy since I would only need to use plans and boxes. Took me longer then I wanted but I learned A LOT trying to figure it out. I would suggest making a simple boxy item to start and learn the keys. There is A LOT of buttons on keyboard to be pressed which working LOL

since you would be making rooms and stuff I think a large part of what is going to help you is painting and lighting.

I'll share you my experience once I start working on my first scene. It's going to be a forest. I'm using the program to help with 2d animation and since the new blender allows 2d animation to be painted ontop of the 3d models in the same program I am going to have SO MUCH FUN

[Coati]

I don't use blender, but I'm a big user of 3D assets for comics. I make backgrounds and stuff in 3ds max and use clipstudio paint to make them look like a comic background.

[Maps]

Does anybody here use SketchUp or Blender with an iPad Pro? I’ve downloded sketchup and I’m wondering if it’s a free and limited version. I cannot figure out how to use it to assist me with backgrounds
I don’t mind drawing my backgrounds, but it would be nice to eventually have everything there to use as reference (the rooms in the houses, etc) for consistency’s sake.

[echoeotto]

@indigodrawing I love Blender, but have you thought of using Unity?

It might seem kinda overkill because Unity is meant for game and application development, but it's more user-friendly, there's more tutorials out there, you can download free add-ons that let you do some basic modeling right in Unity (I especially like Pro Builder), you can find a lot of free resources on the Unity store, and I find the lighting and materials easier to set up.

On that note, Unreal Engine might also be an option. I find UE less customizable and a little harder to learn, but UE's lighting looks better out of the box (especially if you're going for a realistic look).

Also: good luck! 2.5-D can be hard to pull off. The trick is getting the shading of your 3D and 2D elements to match up so everything looks as seamless as possible.

In general, I find that working in 3D (vs 2D) is more work when creating the initial assets, but can save you a lot of time if you re-use those assets enough.