3D-Coat is a 3D sculpting software optimized to create free-form organic and hard surfaced 3D models from scratch, the software has tools that enable its user to sculpt, add polygonal topology, create UV maps, texturing and render static/animated images and movies. The interoperability of 3D-Coat could be extended by the use of plugins like Applinks which allows the users to import models created using other 3D sculpting software and create refinements, UV mapping, texturing, bump maps  etc.

Learning 3D-Coat is very helpful for digital artists specially for those who are working in the gaming or animated movies industry, there are many other software that are similar to 3D-Coat; ZBrush is one of the major and commonly used alternatives.

The aim of this post is to present and compare between free online sources that beginners can rely on to learn 3D-Coat, the sources stated here are full-structured courses that beginners can follow along so you won’t find a link to a single article or a reply in a forum post, you won’t also find a million source to learn 3D-Coat as that’s also confusing.

If you just want the bottom line (the road map to learn 3D-Coat) and you don’t wish to read the entire article then go to the “Bottom Line” section at the end of the article.

Getting Started with 3D-Coat from Scratch

3D-Coat Website

3D-Coat Website is the first free online outlet where beginners can start learning 3D-Coat through a mix of videos and text tutorials, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 6 sections, each section covers a certain topic in 3D-Coat. Each of the sections has a group of lessons that covers the topic about that section.

Interface: The interface is simple, just click on the section you’re interested in and you’ll be directed to the webpage where the lessons reside.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well-organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The entire training won’t be consistent as some lessons are available as video while others are available as PDF.

Verdict: This is a very good outlet where beginners can start learning 3D-Coat.

3D-Coat YouTube Channel

3D-Coat is the second free online outlet where beginners can start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials, the “Intro to 3D Coat” playlist is the best playlist for beginners to start  learning 3D-Coat.

Structure: The above stated playlist is divided into 36 video lessons, each lesson covers a certain topic in 3D-Coat.

Interface: Standard YouTube interface.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training gives the beginners the basics they need in order to start using 3D-Coat.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well organized for beginners.

Verdict: This is an excellent outlet for beginners to start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials.

David Schoneveld YouTube Channel

David Schoneveld YouTube Channel is the third free online outlet where beginners can start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials, the “3D-Coat Quick Overview” playlist is the best playlist for beginners to start learning 3D-Coat.

Structure: The above stated playlist is divided into 8 video lessons, each lesson covers a certain topic in 3D-Coat.

Interface: Standard YouTube interface.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. It’s an excellent overview suitable for those who are using another software and want to know the basics of 3D-Coat.

Cons

1. The training doesn’t cover as many topics as the first two outlets.

Verdict: This is a good outlet for beginners to start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials.

Psionic Games

Psionic Games is the fourth free online outlet where beginners can start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials, you don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 23 video tutorials, each tutorial covers a set of skills in 3D-Coat.

Interface: The interface is simple, click on the lesson you’re interested in and the video will start right away.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well organized for beginners.

Verdict: The lack of structure and organization makes this outlet not suitable for beginners.

Bottom Line

The recipe for learning 3D-Coat

1. 3D-Coat website is the best outlet for beginners to start learning 3D-Coat through video tutorials.

Remember that the first step is always the toughest step, and the aim of this post is to provide you with resources that will help you take your first step in 3D-Coat.