DX14K layout exploration
3D modelling in Blender and Spline
Taking the step from Spline over to Blender
A couple of months ago, I enrolled in the Flowparty On-Demand course. In one of the sections, we learned how to model in Spline. To further my skills, I decided to create a DJ controller, drawing inspiration from the design language of Teenage Engineering. I appreciate how user-friendly Spline is, especially if you're familiar with tools like Figma. They've clearly designed their interface to cater to web and product designers who have never used 3D before.
However, I was not fully satisfied with the appearance of my model. There is a particular style that is challenging to achieve in Spline—perhaps it's just me, or maybe it's inherent to working with something that abstracts an abstraction. I chose to recreate my model in Blender to see if I could achieve the desired results. Blender is quite a different tool and took a couple of hours to get used to, but the renders turned out much better. Here's a typography and layout exploration I created showcasing the final results.
When it comes to creating still image renders, Blender is undoubtedly my preferred choice. The level of control and detail it offers far exceeds what Spline can provide. However, my exploration with Spline doesn't stop there. I intend to continue integrating my models into Webflow. Spline's strength lies in its ability to craft interactive web elements seamlessly, which is particularly advantageous for someone like me who is not familiar with WebGL. It's a valuable tool that bridges the gap between 3D modeling and web design.
Some of the resources used to create this:
