Sanding 101
Nomad Sculpt: 3D Modeling on Your Phone
Taught by Chad Van Wye of Hoku Props.
You do not need a big expensive workstation to start learning 3D. You do not need to already know Blender, Maya, or ZBrush. You do not need to be a tech person. In this class, Chad walks you through Nomad Sculpt as a real entry point into digital sculpting for props, cosplay, helmets, creatures, wearables, and 3D printing.
This is a beginner friendly workshop built around the way people actually learn. Instead of throwing random tools at you and hoping it clicks, Chad breaks down the interface, shows you what the buttons do, explains how to move around in 3D space without getting lost, and helps you understand why certain tools matter. The goal is simple. Get you comfortable enough to start making things.
What this class is
Nomad Sculpt is one of the most approachable ways to get into 3D modeling right now. It runs on devices people already own, including phones, tablets, and touch based setups, which makes it a great on ramp for anyone who has wanted to try digital sculpting without diving headfirst into heavyweight software.
Chad teaches this class from the perspective of someone who works across both digital and physical making. This is not just software for software’s sake. It is about learning how to shape ideas in 3D, then carry those ideas into prints, props, costume parts, helmet designs, and fabrication workflows that actually matter in the real world.
What you will learn
- How to navigate the Nomad Sculpt interface, so the screen stops feeling like a wall of mystery buttons and starts feeling usable.
- How to move around in 3D space, including orbiting, panning, zooming, selecting objects, and staying oriented while you work.
- How to use beginner friendly core tools, including symmetry, brush controls, smoothing, masking, the gizmo, booleans, and remeshing tools.
- How to block out forms quickly, whether you are building a helmet, creature head, prop component, or wearable concept.
- How photogrammetry can help with custom fit design, including scanning a head and using that model as a reference for helmets and other wearable pieces.
- How Nomad fits into a larger workflow, including when it is the perfect tool, and when a project might eventually move into something like Blender, Maya, or ZBrush.
How Chad teaches it
Real explanations, not vague tutorial talk
A lot of people bounce off 3D because the teaching skips steps. Chad does not teach that way. He shows you what a tool is, what it is for, when to use it, and what kind of problem it solves. If something feels weird or inconsistent at first, that gets explained too.
Built for mixed skill levels
Some students show up having never touched 3D before. Some have bounced off other software a dozen times. Some know just enough to be dangerous. This class is built for all of them. Chad helps connect the artistic side and the technical side so the process feels understandable instead of intimidating.
Focused on things you can actually make
This is not just about sculpting random blobs for practice. The examples and ideas are tied back to real use cases like helmets, props, creatures, stylized parts, wearable forms, and 3D printable concept work.
Who this is for
- Cosplayers who want to design custom parts instead of only downloading files
- Prop makers who want a practical entry point into digital sculpting
- 3D printing enthusiasts who want more control over what they make
- Artists and makers who feel overwhelmed by traditional 3D software
- Beginners who want a low pressure way to finally understand 3D space
- Creative people who want to use a phone or tablet as a serious design tool
Why take this class
There are a lot of ways to get frustrated in 3D. Most of them start with opening the wrong software too early, getting buried in jargon, or trying to learn from ten unrelated tutorials that assume you already know the basics. This class fixes that.
Nomad Sculpt is fun, immediate, and surprisingly powerful. It gives you a way to start building real forms fast, especially if you think visually or like working with your hands. For many makers, it is the first time 3D actually feels accessible.
It is also honest about the bigger picture. Chad is not pretending Nomad replaces every tool. He shows where it shines, where it gets you moving quickly, and how it can become a strong stepping stone into more advanced workflows later. That means you leave with useful skills now, not confusion about what comes next.
What you can make with it
- Helmet concepts built around your own proportions
- Creature heads and organic forms
- Stylized props and accessories
- Wearable parts for cosplay builds
- Printable mockups for fabrication
- Rapid concept sculpts that can evolve into bigger projects
Photogrammetry and custom fit design
One of the most exciting parts of this class is seeing how fast a digital idea can connect to a physical build. Chad covers how phone based photogrammetry can help you generate a rough 3D model of a head, then use that as a fit reference inside Nomad. That makes a huge difference when you are designing helmets or wearable parts and want them to fit an actual person, not just a guess.
This is where the workshop really clicks for makers. You are not just learning software. You are learning how digital tools can support real fabrication decisions.
About Chad Van Wye
Chad Van Wye of Hoku Props is a professional prop maker, fabricator, and visual effects artist known for bridging digital design with hands on building. His teaching style comes from real workshop experience, real client work, and years of translating complicated tools into practical steps people can actually use. He knows how to teach beginners without talking down to them, and he knows how to connect digital sculpting to the things students actually want to make.
Come learn 3D without the usual intimidation
If you have been curious about 3D but felt locked out by complicated software, this class is for you. If you want to design your own props, helmets, or wearable pieces, this class is for you. If you have never touched digital sculpting before and want a starting point that actually makes sense, this class is for you.
You can start with the device you already own, learn the tools in a way that feels human, and walk away with a clearer understanding of how 3D works.