Blender Modeling Basics: The Magic After Pressing Tab

Blender tutorial, 3D modeling, edit mode, modeling basics, beginner guide, 3D fundamentals
Blender Edit Mode modeling tutorial

Blender Modeling Basics: The Magic After Pressing Tab

Why This Guide?

You open Blender. There’s a cube in the center.

You press Tab. Suddenly the object turns into a “wireframe mesh” with dots, lines, and faces everywhere.

Then you’re stuck—How do I move these points? How do I make this into what I want?

This guide solves that problem. In plain language, it teaches you how to transform a cube into any shape, starting from “pressing Tab.”

Who this is for:

  • First-time Blender users
  • People who know Edit Mode exists but don’t know what to do
  • Creators who want to quickly learn modeling

No theory—just “press this key, this happens.”

Step 1: Enter Edit Mode

Object Mode vs Edit Mode

Blender has two basic modes:

  • Object Mode: Move entire objects (like moving furniture)
  • Edit Mode: Change object shapes (like sculpting clay)

How to switch:

  • Press Tab
  • Or use the dropdown menu in the top-left

After entering Edit Mode, you’ll see:

  • The cube becomes orange wireframe
  • Small dots at each corner (these are vertices)
  • Lines connecting vertices (edges)
  • Surfaces enclosed by lines (faces)
Blender Edit Mode interface

Three Selection Modes

In Edit Mode, top-left has three icons:

  1. Vertex Select (1 key): Select individual points
  2. Edge Select (2 key): Select entire lines
  3. Face Select (3 key): Select entire surfaces

Shortcut memory: 1 2 3 for point, line, face.

Beginners should start with Face Select (press 3)—more intuitive.

Step 2: Subdivision—Create More Faces

Why Subdivide?

The default cube has only 6 faces and 8 vertices.

Want complex shapes (curves, indents, details)? Need more points to adjust.

Subdivision splits one face into multiple smaller faces.

How to Subdivide

Method 1: Right-Click Subdivide

  1. Enter Edit Mode (Tab)
  2. Select faces to subdivide (left-click, A for all)
  3. Right-click > Subdivide

One face becomes four smaller faces.

Want more? Repeat or adjust subdivision count:

  • After subdividing, “Subdivide” option appears bottom-left
  • Click to adjust Number of Cuts

Method 2: Loop Cut

The most commonly used professional technique for precise line additions:

  1. Press Ctrl + R
  2. Move mouse over object—yellow preview line appears
  3. Left-click to confirm position
  4. Left-click again (or scroll mouse wheel to adjust cut count)

Loop Cut advantages:

  • Precise control of line placement
  • Doesn’t break existing structure
  • Great for smooth transitions

Step 3: Extrude—Pull Out 3D Shapes

What is Extrusion?

Select a face, pull it outward, that’s extrusion.

This is the core operation of 3D modeling—almost all complex models start with this.

Basic Extrusion

  1. Select a face (press 3 for face select mode)
  2. Press E (Extrude)
  3. Move mouse—you’ll see the face being “pulled out”
  4. Left-click to confirm

Advanced tips:

  • E then Z: Extrude only along Z-axis (vertical)
  • E then X or Y: Extrude along other axes
  • E then S: Scale after extruding

Practical Application

Make a simple house:

  1. Delete cube’s top face (select then X > Delete Faces)
  2. Select four wall faces, press E to extrude upward (height)
  3. Extrude top again for roof

Basic building in three steps!

Step 4: Essential Editing Tools

1. Move (G - Grab)

  • Press G: Free movement
  • G + X/Y/Z: Move along specific axis
  • G + number: Precise movement (e.g., G Z 2 moves up 2 units)

2. Rotate (R - Rotate)

  • Press R: Free rotation
  • R + X/Y/Z: Rotate along specific axis
  • R + number: Precise angle (e.g., R Z 45 rotates 45 degrees)

3. Scale (S - Scale)

  • Press S: Overall scaling
  • S + X/Y/Z: Scale along single axis
  • S + 0: Flatten (collapse selection to line or plane)

4. Bevel (Ctrl + B)

Make sharp corners smooth:

  1. Select edges (press 2 for edge mode)
  2. Press Ctrl + B
  3. Move mouse to adjust bevel width
  4. Scroll mouse wheel to increase subdivision segments

Use: Make models look more realistic (few perfectly sharp edges in reality)

5. Inset Face (I - Inset)

Insert a smaller face inside a face:

  1. Select face
  2. Press I
  3. Move mouse to adjust inset size

Use: Create windows, door frames, detail decorations

Blender editing tools demonstration

Step 5: Practice—Make a Simple Cup

Goal: From cube to cup in 5 minutes

Steps:

  1. Delete default cube > Add Cylinder (Shift + A > Mesh > Cylinder)
  2. Enter Edit Mode (Tab)
  3. Select top face, press S to scale down slightly
  4. Press I (inset face), then E to extrude downward (create interior space)
  5. Select bottom face, press S to scale down slightly (create cup bottom curve)
  6. Select top edge ring, press Ctrl + B to bevel (smooth rim)

Done! A basic cup model.

Extended challenges:

  • Use Loop Cut to add lines for mid-section grooves
  • Extrude a handle (select side face, E extrude then R rotate to adjust)

Common Questions

Q: Why do faces stick together when I extrude?
A: Make sure you selected “faces” not vertices. Press 3 to switch to face select mode.

Q: How do I make models look smooth?
A: Right-click object > Shade Smooth. Or add Subdivision Surface modifier (right-side modifier panel).

Q: Can’t find yellow preview line for Loop Cut?
A: Confirm you’re in Edit Mode and the object has enough faces for the loop to go through.

Q: Accidentally deleted something—how to undo?
A: Ctrl + Z to undo. Blender has unlimited undo—don’t fear experimentation!

Three Tips for Beginners

1. Play First, Learn Later
Don’t try to make perfect work from the start. Randomly press, extrude, cut—see what happens.

2. Shortcuts Are Everything
Tab, G, R, S, E—memorize these five, you can make 70% of things.

3. Reference Real Objects
Want to make a cup? Pick up your desk cup: how many faces? Where are curves? Where are details? Observation is the best teacher.

What’s Next?

After mastering basic modeling, explore these directions:

  • Modifier System: Let the computer do repetitive work (mirror, array, subdivision)
  • UV Unwrapping & Texturing: Give models color and materials
  • Lighting & Rendering: Turn work into beautiful images
  • Sculpting Mode: Shape organic forms like clay

But remember: All complex models start with Tab + E.

Master this guide’s content and you’ve crossed Blender’s biggest entry barrier.

Conclusion

Blender looks complex, but the core logic is simple:

Point → Line → Face → Volume

You’re just moving points, connecting lines, extruding faces.

No talent needed, no art background required—just willingness to press Tab.

Every 3D artist started with a cube. The difference is some pressed Tab, others didn’t.

Now it’s your turn. Open Blender, press Tab, start creating.

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Tags: #Blender #3DModeling #BeginnerGuide #EditMode #ModelingBasics #3DTutorial