Blender Community Prefers Hands-On Creation Over AI Assistance

In an era where AI-generated content dominates headlines, professional 3D artists are bucking the trend. The Blender Foundation's latest user survey paints a clear picture: when it comes to serious creative work, nothing beats human skill and craftsmanship.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The foundation surveyed 5,102 professional users worldwide, uncovering some eye-opening statistics:

• 53% don't use AI tools at all
• Only 7% rely on AI regularly in their workflow
• Most common applications are script writing (22.6%) and concept sketches

Why Artists Resist the AI Wave

The findings suggest that for precision work like modeling and sculpting, AI simply can't match human control. Many creators view these tools as assistants rather than replacements - helpful for automating tedious tasks or generating rough ideas, but incapable of producing finished artwork.

"It's like having a talented apprentice," explains one respondent quoted in the report. "They can handle the grunt work, but you wouldn't trust them with your masterpiece."

Who's Using Blender?

The typical Blender user is:

• Aged 19-35
• Professionally trained
• Based in tech-savvy countries (U.S., Germany, China top the list)

The software's open-source nature and focus on pure creation (earning an impressive Net Promoter Score of 82.5) appear more valuable to this group than chasing AI trends.

Key Points:

• Traditional skills dominate: Most artists still prefer manual techniques for core creative work
• AI plays supporting roles: Mainly used for scripting automation and early-stage concepts
• Community values remain strong: Open access and creative freedom outweigh technological novelty