How to Create 3D Art: Top 10 3D Tutorials for Beginners on Tuts+

3D art has become a very popular art form over the last few years, popping up everywhere from marketing to design. If you want to start creating 3D art and design, check out these top handy tutorials for beginners on Tuts+. 

3D design is the process of using computer-modeling software to create an object within a three-dimensional space. It’s used for everything from printed advertising and websites to video games and television. Recently, we’ve seen 3D design and illustration pop up as a trend and innovative ideas to bring 3D illustration to life in authentic, creative ways. 

So, how do you create 3D art? 3D graphic design can be created using tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Using modeling and rendering (learn more on this specific skill here), and by adjusting the image’s lighting, shading, and rotation, designers can create an object within a three-dimensional space. These designs add visual interest and can be super effective for various applications.

It can take months or even years to hone skills in this area, but if you’re new to it, that doesn’t mean you should write it off to the professionals. With 3D art tutorials for beginners, you can learn to create 3D art step by step. A learning hub like Tuts+ is full of free tutorials you can practice with or use in your designs. Here we’ll look at ten great examples.

First up, go for understated and well-executed. This tutorial will show you how to adjust the shape, set the light sources, create a material, and render, ending up with 3D text in Photoshop in just a few steps.

With this tutorial, learn how to use Photoshop’s 3D workspace to convert 2D text into a 3D layer for something fun, modern, and clean. You’ll finish with an isometric 3D effect, perfect for tech brands or anything with high design value.

Take it back to a 1990s aesthetic by combining a holographic look and 3D design. This tutorial will guide you through creating a Photoshop action, so you can keep using your 3D text effect going forwards with just the click of a button.

This two-part, step-by-step guide teaches basic 3D modeling and basic rendering techniques. By Part 2, you’ll have gone through creating a perfectly proportioned 3D guitar model.

For the video learners among us, this video is what you’ve been looking for. This YouTube tutorial will teach you how to create a 3D Text Art Effect in Adobe Illustrator, equipping you to go forth and use it on any project you want. 

A marquee bulb sign never goes out of style – especially if you work in events, music, or theater. This 3D marquee bulb sign tutorial will teach you how to create your own using Photoshop’s 3D tools and settings. 

Master the timeless look of chipped painted wood with this Adobe Photoshop tutorial. You’ll learn to create a realistic text effect in wood texture – ever popular for weddings and baby showers. 

An alarm clock is a go-to design element for anything that requires suspense building – counting down to a product release or a limited-time sale. Another tutorial in two parts, this guide will first take you through importing your reference images and modeling techniques (Part 1) and then creating colored materials and adding lighting (Part 2).

A frilly 3D balloon text effect is fun and festive for party frills and thrills. Use Photoshop’s 3D depth maps to create 3D mesh shapes, as this tutorial takes you through how to use pattern fills and layer settings to make this 3D text effect.

For a proper throwback and a design challenge, our last tutorial on the list is this step-by-step guide to creating a Nintendo Game Boy. It’s a lengthier tutorial – with Part 1 covering the basics and Part 2 bringing it to life – but the end product is more than worth it.

And that’s our pick of the ten best tutorials for 3D design! However, it’s only scratching the surface of what’s available on Envato Tuts+. Head to Tuts+ to browse loads of available tutorials and brush up on your skills. To unlock a library of assets to go along with your new design skills, head to Envato Elements to check out subscription options.