Yes, it's completely free and open-source.

Online Blender Courses for Architecture

Q: Can Blender replace Rhino or Grasshopper?

Not directly. Blender excels at organic modeling, animation and rendering; Grasshopper remains stronger for precise parametric/NURBS work.

Q: What is Blender used for in architecture and design at PAACADEMY?

Blender is used at PAACADEMY for 3D body scan processing in wearable design workflows, voxel-based geometry generation for 3D printing, architectural modeling and visualization. The primary featured course is Dynamic Wearables for Fashion Design by RJ Weaver, which teaches smartphone-based body scan capture and cleaning in Blender, used alongside Rhino and Grasshopper for parametric wearable design and fabrication.

Q: What will I learn in PAACADEMY's Dynamic Wearables course?

Dynamic Wearables for Fashion Design by RJ Weaver covers creating parametric wearable designs that adapt to 3D body scans; capturing and cleaning body scan data using a smartphone workflow with Blender; and using voxel-based methods to generate complex, 3D-print-ready wearable geometries. The course runs 8 hours across 10 beginner-level lessons.

Q: Do I need prior Blender experience to take courses at PAACADEMY?

No. PAACADEMY's courses that include Blender are structured for participants at beginner level, teaching the specific Blender workflows needed for the course's application without assuming prior experience with the software. The Dynamic Wearables course, for example, focuses on scan processing and cleaning rather than full Blender modeling, making it accessible to designers new to the platform.

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Dynamic Wearables for Fashion Design

RJ Weaver

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8 HoursBeginner10 lessons

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Dynamic Wearables for Fashion Design

8 HoursBeginner10 lessons

What you'll learn

Create parametric wearable designs that adapt dynamically to 3D body scans.
Capture and clean body scans using a smartphone workflow with Blender.
Use voxel-based methods to generate complex, 3D-print-ready geometries.

RJ Weaver

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Scripting Forms: Grasshopper3D & Blender

June Lee

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8 HoursIntermediate11 lessons

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Scripting Forms: Grasshopper3D & Blender

8 HoursIntermediate11 lessons

What you'll learn

Creating design languages using components in Grasshopper and Geometry Nodes.
Analyzing design elements and developing conceptual parametric designs.
Applying multiple basic design languages to construct complex structures.

June Lee

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Neural Architecture: AI-Powered Form-Building

George Guida

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8 HoursBeginner10 lessons

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Neural Architecture: AI-Powered Form-Building

8 HoursBeginner10 lessons

What you'll learn

AI's Impact on Architecture: Gain foundational knowledge of how AI is transforming the architectural profession and creative workflows.
3D Machine Learning Workflows: Understand and apply workflows that incorporate advanced AI techniques for architectural design.
Generative AI Tools: Master essential tools for text-to-image generation, 3D reconstruction, and video-to-video design processes.

George Guida

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Parametric Workflows with Blender: Animating Robots for Digital Fabrication

Luis Pacheco

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8 HoursBeginner18 lessons

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Parametric Workflows with Blender: Animating Robots for Digital Fabrication

8 HoursBeginner18 lessons

What you'll learn

Develop toolpaths for 3D printers, CNC machines, and robotic arms usingBlender and Geometry Nodes.
Harness the power of Geometry Nodes for parametric design.
Utilize attributes to customize your toolpaths.

Luis Pacheco

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Additive Footwear Design: FDM and Resin

Kedar Benjamin

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8 HoursIntermediate14 lessons

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Additive Footwear Design: FDM and Resin

8 HoursIntermediate14 lessons

What you'll learn

How to design footwear for FDM and Resin
Manufacturing constraints for FDM and Resin footwear, as well as pros and cons for both
Use Houdini to create an adjustable design

Kedar Benjamin

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Adaptive Fashion: Procedural Design with Bio-Materials

Laura Civetti

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8 HoursIntermediate13 lessons

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Adaptive Fashion: Procedural Design with Bio-Materials

8 HoursIntermediate13 lessons

What you'll learn

AI in Design: Learn how AI enhances concept design processes.
Surface Analysis: Master techniques for effective user needs assessment.
Parametric Geometry: Generate adaptable designs from diverse data sources.

Laura Civetti

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Parametric Architecture with Blender

Dimitar Pouchnikov

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2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner8 lessons

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Parametric Architecture with Blender

2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner8 lessons

What you'll learn

Develop a solid understanding of Blender for Architectural design
Efficiently create parametric models
Acquire proficiency in subdivision modeling techniques

Dimitar Pouchnikov

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Polyhedral Topologies in Blender

Alessandro Zomparelli

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8 HoursIntermediate7 lessons

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Polyhedral Topologies in Blender

8 HoursIntermediate7 lessons

What you'll learn

Polyhedral Principles: Explore the use of polyhedral lattices in architecture and design.
Geometry Nodes: Utilize Blender’s Geometry Nodes for form-finding and geometry manipulation.
Tissue Add-on: Create complex geometries while ensuring clean topology for fabrication.

Alessandro Zomparelli

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Topology-Based Modelling With Blender

Alessandro Zomparelli

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8 HoursBeginner6 lessons

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Topology-Based Modelling With Blender

8 HoursBeginner6 lessons

What you'll learn

Mesh Modeling Techniques: Gain foundational skills in mesh modeling using Blender, focusing on creating complex and organic shapes through a modular approach.
Topology Principles: Understand the importance of mesh topology and how it influences the design and articulation of forms.
Tissue Add-on Utilization: Learn to use the Tissue add-on for tessellation, allowing for the creation of intricate parametric models without scripting.

Alessandro Zomparelli

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Parametric Design With Blender

Dimitar Pouchnikov

Verified Account

2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner4 lessons

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Parametric Design With Blender

2 Sessions (8 Hours)Beginner4 lessons

What you'll learn

Master polygonal and subdivision modeling techniques to create complex architectural forms.
Utilize non-destructive techniques with modifiers for flexible design iterations.
Explore tessellation methods using the Tissue add-on for innovative surface designs.

Dimitar Pouchnikov

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Reactive Miniverse / Studio Friedenberg - Machmouchi

Andrew Friedenberg, Hamze Machmouchi

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28 HoursBeginner22 lessons

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Reactive Miniverse / Studio Friedenberg - Machmouchi

28 HoursBeginner22 lessons

What you'll learn

Architectural Geometry Basics: Understand the fundamentals of architectural geometry and its application in creating interactive environments.
SubD Modeling in Rhino: Explore SubD modeling techniques in Rhinoceros 7 to develop complex geometries for digital spaces.
Grasshopper Fundamentals: Learn the basics of Grasshopper to create parametric designs and enhance your modeling capabilities.

Andrew Friedenberg, Hamze Machmouchi

Verified Account

Blender FAQ

Is Blender free?

Can Blender replace Rhino or Grasshopper?

What is Blender used for in architecture and design at PAACADEMY?

What will I learn in PAACADEMY's Dynamic Wearables course?

Do I need prior Blender experience to take courses at PAACADEMY?

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