Is Blender really that difficult, or is it just me?

Focus on what you need first.

When you start with Blender, you'll use about 20% of the tools for 80% of your work. For basic modeling you only need a small part of the features.

Follow the tutorials for specific things you want to create - don't try to learn everything at once.

The interface seems daunting at first, but it's actually one of the most efficient once you get used to it.

Coming from Maya, I found Blender extremely challenging at first. Different hotkeys, different workflows, completely different UI philosophy. But after pushing through the initial learning curve, I actually find some things easier in Blender. My advice? Stick with it. The free and open-source nature means you have endless tutorials and a huge community to help you learn.

Started 3 months ago, felt exactly the same! trick that worked for me: don't try to memorize everything. Focus on basic modeling first (grab, scale, extrude) and look up everything else as needed. Im still slow but getting better every week!

I've used both.

Yes, Spline is more beginner friendly, but you'll run into limitations pretty quickly. It's great for simple models, but lacks a lot of advanced features. Think of it like Canva vs. Photoshop - Spline is great for the basics, but if you're serious about 3D, you'll eventually need something more powerful like Blender.

Speaking as someone who's been using 3ds Max for 20 years, ALL professional 3D software has a learning curve. The difference with Blender is that it's like getting a professional studio's equipment for free. Yes, it's complex, but that's because it's powerful. Start with the beginner tutorials and stick with them.

Here's what helped me: treat Blender like a Swiss Army knife. You don't need all the tools right away. Start with basic modeling (just a few tools), then add new skills as you need them. I've been using it for years and still haven't touched half of the features. That's normal!

Try Bforartists - it's Blender with an alternative UI that's more clickable and discoverable.

The problem with standard Blender is that it relies heavily on keyboard shortcuts, which can be overwhelming for beginners. Once you understand the concepts through Bforartists, the transition to regular Blender becomes easier.

Every 3D artist goes through this phase. The key difference with Blender isn't that it's harder - it's that you're getting professional-grade tools for free. Take it step by step:

1. Learn basic navigation
2. Master simple modeling tools
3. Add new skills one at a time

Don't compare your day 1 to someone else's year 5.

Think of it this way - Blender is like a professional kitchen with every tool imaginable. Yes, it's overwhelming at first, but you don't need to master every tool to cook a good meal. Start with the basics (knife, pan, stove) and expand as needed. I've been using Blender professionally for 5 years and still discover new features.