Adding Vertex in Blender: Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 10 min read

Delving into the world of 3D design is like exploring a new universe with endless possibilities. A key tool in your journey of creation is Blender, a comprehensive software packed with features to help you design, edit, and render your 3D models. One of the fundamental skills you need to master in Blender is adding a vertex. This blog will walk you through the process of adding a vertex in Blender, ensuring you have a solid foundation to build your 3D modeling skills.

1. Get Familiar with Blender Interface

Before we start adding a vertex in Blender, let's familiarize ourselves with the Blender interface. Think of it as meeting a new friend - you'll get along better once you know them a bit.

Overview of Blender Interface

Blender's interface can be a bit overwhelming at first, but don't worry, it's simpler than it looks! It's divided into several areas:

3D Viewport: This is the area where you'll do most of your work, including adding, editing, and viewing your 3D objects.
Toolbar and Sidebar: These are on the left and right of the 3D Viewport. The Toolbar contains tools for interacting with objects, and the Sidebar provides access to object properties.
Timeline: At the bottom is the Timeline used for animation.
Outliner and Properties: On the right, the Outliner displays a hierarchy of all objects in the scene, and the Properties panel provides detailed settings for the selected object.

Navigating through Blender

Let's learn how to move around in Blender. To rotate the view, hold the middle mouse button and move the mouse. To pan the view, hold Shift and the middle mouse button, then move the mouse. To zoom in and out, use the scroll wheel. Remember, practice makes perfect, and before you know it, you'll be zooming around your 3D models like a pro!

Understanding Blender Tools

Blender has a toolbox full of features to help you create your 3D models. Some of these include:

Move, Rotate, and Scale: These tools allow you to manipulate your objects in the 3D space.
Add: This is where you can add a new object, mesh, or even a vertex to your scene.
Edit Mode: This is where you can modify the details of your objects by manipulating vertices, edges, and faces.

You'll be using these tools a lot when you start adding vertices in Blender.

Getting familiar with the Blender interface is the first step in your 3D modeling journey. Next, we'll look at how to install Blender add-ons to enhance your modeling capabilities. But remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, so take your time to explore and practice, and soon you'll be ready to add your first vertex in Blender.

2. Install Blender Add-ons

Now that you're comfortable with the Blender interface, let's enhance it by installing some Blender add-ons. Think of these like superpowers, enabling you to perform specific tasks more efficiently.

How to Install Blender Add-ons

Installing add-ons in Blender is a walk in the park. Here's how you do it:

First, download the add-on file. It usually comes as a .zip file, and there's no need to unzip it.
Next, open Blender and navigate to Edit > Preferences.
Click on the Add-ons tab, then click on the Install button.
Navigate to where you saved the .zip file, select it, and click on Install Add-on.
Once installed, you'll see it listed in the add-ons list. Make sure to check the box next to it to activate it.

And just like that, you've expanded your Blender capabilities!

Popular Blender Add-ons

There are countless Blender add-ons available, each offering unique benefits. Here are a few popular ones you might find useful:

LoopTools: This add-on provides additional mesh editing tools, helping you create clean, even geometry.
Node Wrangler: If you're planning on doing a lot of material and texture work, Node Wrangler is a must. It simplifies the process of managing nodes in the Shader Editor.
BlenderKit: This offers a library of free 3D models, materials, and brushes right inside Blender. It's perfect for when you need a specific object for your scene and don't want to model it from scratch.

Try out different add-ons and see which ones fit best with your workflow. And remember, the right tools can make the process of creating your 3D models, including adding a vertex in Blender, a lot smoother and more enjoyable.

3. Create Basic 3D Shapes

Now that we've covered installing add-ons, it's time to create some basic 3D shapes in Blender. These shapes, or 'meshes', are the building blocks of your 3D models. So let's get started!

How to Create Basic 3D Shapes

Creating basic 3D shapes is straightforward in Blender. Here's a quick guide:

Start by opening a new Blender project.
Go to the 'Add' menu on the toolbar at the top, or simply press Shift + A.
From the drop-down list, select 'Mesh', and then pick the shape you want to create. Blender offers a variety of basic shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, and more.

There you have it—you've just created a basic 3D shape in Blender!

Tips for Creating 3D Shapes

While creating basic shapes is easy, here are a few tips to make the process even smoother:

Use shortcuts: Blender is known for its extensive use of keyboard shortcuts. For example, you can quickly create a cube by pressing Shift + A, then 'Mesh', and finally 'Cube'.
Transformations: You can easily move, scale, and rotate your shapes using the transformation tools. These are located in the toolbar on the left side of the 3D Viewport.
Modifiers: Modifiers are automatic operations that affect an object in a non-destructive way. With modifiers, you can perform complex edits on your 3D shapes without permanently changing their basic structure.

Getting to grips with these basics will pave your way to more advanced tasks, such as adding a vertex in Blender. In the next section, we'll delve into that—and trust me, it's easier than you might think!

4. Add Vertex in Blender

Having learned how to create basic 3D shapes, the natural next step is to learn about vertices. Vertices are the singular points that make up a 3D shape and learning how to add a vertex in Blender is a vital skill in 3D modeling.

Steps to Add Vertex in Blender

Here’s how you can add a vertex in Blender:

First, select a 3D shape in your scene.
Switch to Edit Mode by pressing Tab or by selecting Edit Mode from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the 3D Viewport.
Next, select a point where you want to add a vertex. You can do this by right-clicking on the location.
Press Ctrl + Right Mouse Button to add a vertex at the selected point.

There you go! You've just added a vertex in Blender. Easy, isn't it?

Tips for Adding Vertex

Adding vertices can sometimes be tricky, especially for complex 3D shapes. Here are some tips to help you out:

Use snapping: Blender has a 'snapping' feature that helps you to precisely place your vertices. Enable it by clicking the magnet icon in the 3D Viewport.
View from different angles: Sometimes it's hard to tell exactly where a vertex is located from just one angle. By rotating your view (press the Middle Mouse Button and drag), you can get a better perspective.
Be mindful of your mesh: While adding vertices, it's important to maintain the integrity of your mesh. Too many vertices can make your model look lumpy or uneven.

By mastering how to add a vertex in Blender, you have unlocked a new level of 3D modeling. Up next, we'll learn how to edit and manipulate these vertices to further shape our models.

5. Edit and Manipulate Vertex

Knowing how to add a vertex in Blender is just the beginning. You can also change the shape of your 3D model by editing and manipulating vertices. Let's explore how.

How to Edit Vertex

Editing a vertex in Blender is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Select the vertex or vertices you wish to edit by right-clicking them in Edit Mode.
Once selected, you can move the vertex by pressing G on your keyboard and dragging your mouse.
When you're happy with the new position of the vertex, left-click to finalize the move.

And voila! You've just edited a vertex in Blender. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you play around with vertices, the better you'll get at shaping your models.

How to Manipulate Vertex

Let's take things a step further. Besides moving vertices, you can also scale and rotate them:

Scale a Vertex: To scale a vertex, select it and press S on your keyboard. Then, move your mouse to scale the vertex. Left-click to confirm.
Rotate a Vertex: To rotate a vertex, select it and press R on your keyboard. Drag your mouse to rotate the vertex. Left-click to confirm.

There you go! Now you're not only adding vertices in Blender, but you're also editing and manipulating them like a pro. Next up, we'll dive into how to apply textures and materials to your 3D models.

6. Apply Textures and Materials

Now that you're comfortable with adding and manipulating vertices, let's bring your 3D models to life by adding textures and materials. These elements can dramatically enhance the realism and aesthetics of your creations, so let's get started.

How to Apply Textures

Textures are like the skin of your 3D model. They give your model color, patterns, and surface details. Here's how you can apply a texture in Blender:

Go to the Properties Editor and select the Texture tab.
Click on the 'New' button to create a new texture.
Choose the type of texture you want. For beginners, 'Image or Movie' is a good option.
Open your texture file by clicking on the 'Open' button.
Finally, you need to map your texture onto your model. Go to the Mapping section and choose how you want your texture to appear on the model.

And just like that, you've added texture to your 3D model! Remember, textures can make or break the look of your model, so experiment until you're satisfied with the result.

How to Apply Materials

Materials, on the other hand, dictate how your model interacts with light, defining its shininess, transparency, and more. Here's how to apply materials:

Go to the Properties Editor and select the Material tab.
Click 'New' to create a new material.
Now, you can tweak the various settings to change the appearance of your material. For example, you can adjust the 'Diffuse' color to change the basic color of the material.

And there you have it! With textures and materials, your 3D model will look more realistic and visually appealing. But we're not done yet. In the next section, we'll learn how to breathe life into your model by rendering it.

7. Render Your 3D Model

Rendering is the process of transforming your 3D model into a 2D image or animation. It's like taking a picture of your work, capturing all the textures, materials, and lighting you've set up. Let's see how you can do this in Blender.

How to Render in Blender

Rendering in Blender is straightforward, even for beginners. Just follow these steps:

Select the camera icon on the right side of the screen.
Adjust the render settings according to your needs. For a basic render, you can leave these at their default settings.
When you're ready, click on 'Render' at the top of the screen, and then click 'Render Image'.

Your finished render will pop up in a new window. It's quite exciting to see your 3D model come to life, isn't it?

Tips for Rendering

Now, let's go over a few tips to improve your renders:

Lighting and Shadows: Good lighting can make a huge difference in your renders. Experiment with different light sources and shadows to create depth and realism.
Camera Angle: Choose your camera angles wisely. An interesting angle can add a lot to the overall composition.
Resolution: Higher resolution renders will look better, but they will also take longer. Be sure to balance the quality and the rendering time according to your needs.

And that's how you render your 3D model in Blender! But don't rush off to show your work to the world just yet. There's one more step you need to take: saving and exporting your work.

8. Save and Export Your Work

After you've put in the hard work of creating and rendering your 3D model, it's time to save and export your project. This will allow you to share your masterpiece with others, or use it in other software. Let's learn how to do this in Blender.

How to Save Your Work

Saving your work in Blender is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these steps:

Click on 'File' at the top left of the screen.
Select 'Save' or 'Save As' from the dropdown menu.
Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the file, give it a name, and click 'Save Blender File'.

Remember, it's good practice to save your work regularly while you're working. This way, you won't lose your progress if something unexpected happens.

How to Export Your Work

Exporting your work allows you to use your 3D model in other software or share it with others. Here's how to do it:

Click on 'File' at the top left of the screen.
Select 'Export' from the dropdown menu.
Choose the file format you want to export to. Blender supports many different formats, but .obj and .fbx are commonly used for 3D models.
Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the file, give it a name, and click 'Export'.

And there you have it—you've successfully created a 3D model, added a vertex in Blender, rendered your work, and saved and exported your project. Now you're ready to share your creation with the world. Congratulations on your hard work!

If you're just getting started with Blender and want to dive deeper into character creation, we highly recommend the workshop 'Basic Character Creation in Blender' by Jonathan K. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating your own unique characters in Blender, providing you with essential skills and techniques to bring your ideas to life.