Modeling a Coffee Mug in Blender: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Blender, a versatile 3D modeling and animation software, empowers users to create intricate objects from scratch. This beginner-friendly tutorial will guide you through the process of modeling a coffee mug, providing essential knowledge and step-by-step instructions.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of 3D modeling concepts
Blender software installed on your computer
A reference image of the coffee mug (optional)

Step 1: Create a New Project

Launch Blender and click on "New" to create a new project.
Save the project with a suitable name.

Step 2: Setup the Camera

In the 3D Viewport, press "N" (with the mouse cursor over the viewport) to open the Sidebar.
Under the "Camera" tab, select "Perspective" as the camera type.
Adjust the camera angle and distance to frame the coffee mug in the viewport.

Step 3: Create the Cylinder

Select the "Add" menu and click on "Mesh" -> "Cylinder."
Adjust the following parameters in the "Transform" panel on the right sidebar:
- Radius 1: Set to the desired radius of the mug's bottom.
- Radius 2: Set to the desired radius of the mug's top.
- Height: Set to the desired height of the mug.
- Resolution: Set to 32 or higher for smoother curves.

Step 4: Subdivide the Cylinder

Select the cylinder and press "Tab" to enter Edit Mode.
Select all the vertices on the cylinder by pressing "A."
Press "W" and select "Subdivide" from the menu.
Adjust the "Number of Cuts" to 2 or 3 for more detailed geometry.

Step 5: Extrude the Handle

Switch to Face Select mode (press "F") and select the faces where you want to create the handle.
Press "E" to extrude the selected faces.
Move and rotate the handle into position by dragging and adjusting its vertices (hold down "Shift" to constrain movement).

Step 6: Shape the Handle

Continue extruding and adjusting the handle vertices until it resembles the shape of a coffee mug handle.
Use the "Smooth Vertex" tool (press "W" and select "Smooth Vertex") to smoothen out the handle's curves.

Step 7: Add Rim and Bottom

Select the top edge of the mug and press "I" (Inset) to create a new edge loop.
Extrude the new edge loop inward to form a rim around the mug.
Select the bottom edge of the mug and repeat the Inset and Extrude steps to create a base for the mug.

Step 8: Subdivide and Shape

Subdivide the rim and bottom loops to create more detail.
Shape the rim and bottom by moving and adjusting the vertices using the "Move" and "Scale" tools (press "G" and "S" respectively).

Step 9: UV Unwrapping

Select the mug and press "A" to select all its vertices.
Press "U" and select "Unwrap" from the menu.
Adjust the UV layout in the UV Editor to minimize distortion and overlap.

Step 10: Add Materials

Switch to Object Mode and select the mug.
Go to the "Material" tab in the Properties panel and add a new material.
Select a suitable color and texture for the mug and adjust its properties as desired.

Step 11: Lighting and Rendering

Add lighting to the scene by placing a light source in the desired location.
Render the image by pressing "F12" (or "Ctrl" + "F12" for a high-quality render).

Conclusion

Congratulations on modeling your first coffee mug in Blender! With this foundation, you can now explore more advanced techniques for creating even more complex 3D objects. Remember to practice regularly and experiment with different options to refine your skills and bring your creations to life.