Blender is a 3D computer graphics software tool. It is open-source and free to use. Blender offers tools for 3D modeling, texturing, skinning, rigging, raster graphics editing, UV unwrapping, and other 3D animation functions. The program can integrate with a range of external render engines through add-ons and plugins. It uses the Python programming language, and users can create custom tools, automation, or game logic for Blender using Python. Developers use Blender to create animated films, virtual reality (VR) applications, computer games, and video games. You can also use Blender to produce visual effects for film and video projects and craft 3D printed models. The tool performs modeling, simulation, animation, rendering, and post-production tasks.

Blender is a great choice for beginners who want to learn to use 3D graphics software. While all 3D graphics software will have a high learning curve at first, Blender is one of the easiest to learn from scratch. Compared to many other 3D graphics tools, it offers user-friendly features and a large community of support that makes it approachable for people at all skill levels. There are many video tutorials, Udemy courses, and community forums. Many premade assets are available for Blender users to leverage in their own projects without having to build each asset from scratch. Because Blender is free to use, it allows beginners to start learning 3D graphics tasks before investing in expensive software tools. Learning Blender also provides a strong foundation, as the fundamental skills and concepts are transferable to other 3D software products.

There are two main routes to working professionally with Blender: landing a role at an organization that uses Blender or becoming a freelance Blender artist. Gaining Blender skills can be a valuable resume builder for landing a job at a production studio, game development company, or virtual reality (VR) developer. Blender is growing in popularity, but it is not yet widely used across large organizations and is more often a tool of choice for mid-sized organizations and startups. Professionals may also use Blender skills for jobs in civil engineering and architecture to perform 3D modeling. Freelance Blender artists are professionals with Blender skills who work on a contract basis. Their clients may include mid-sized organizations, startups, and even individuals who want to hire a Blender professional to work on a 3D graphics project. Blender freelancers may take jobs managing a 3D project or more specific roles for one aspect of a project, such as lighting or simulation.