Render Weekly

The latest in rendering technologies. | 2026-03-08

The Big One

This week, TiFi Design introduced a fascinating tutorial on how to voxelize any image using Geometry Nodes in Blender. This technique allows you to turn 2D images into dynamic, animated voxel representations, opening up creative avenues for your projects. What's particularly exciting is that this method can be applied to various artistic styles, enhancing your workflow in an engaging way. For students, this is a golden opportunity to learn about procedural modeling and animation. It encourages experimentation without the need for extensive prior knowledge, making it accessible while being visually striking. I highly recommend diving into this technique to spark ideas for your next project!

Quick Hits

Dust Particles+ 1.3 is a Game Changer: Gleb Alexandrov has released an update to Dust Particles+, making it 5-10x faster than before! This update is crucial for anyone working with particle systems in Blender. Why it matters: Faster renders can significantly save time in production, allowing you to iterate more rapidly.

4 New Retopology Tips in Blender: Jan van den Hemel shares four new retopology tips that can streamline your workflow. These insights are invaluable for creating cleaner, more efficient meshes. Why it matters: Optimized retopology means lower poly counts and faster rendering times, which is essential for game art and animation.

How to Build a Modular Kit in Blender and Unreal: 3D Tudor's guide on creating a stylized haunted street modular kit is a must-read for those interested in game design. Why it matters: Modular kits are key for efficient game environment creation, allowing for easy scalability while maintaining detail.

Vintage Motorcycle Modelling Course: Richard Yot’s new hard-surface modeling course offers a deep dive into crafting a vintage motorcycle in Blender. Why it matters: This is a fantastic way for students to hone their hard-surface modeling skills, which are essential for both game and film industries.

Spider Web Shader Tutorial in UE5: A step-by-step guide to creating a spider web shader in Unreal Engine 5. Why it matters: Procedural materials like this enhance realism in your projects and can be adapted for various effects.

One Thing To Try

This week, take 30 minutes to experiment with the voxelization technique in Blender's Geometry Nodes. Start by choosing a simple image and watching how it transforms into animated voxels. You might just discover a new style for your work!

As always, I love hearing from you! If you try out any of these techniques or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

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