How does Prusa's new Blender course teach STL editing in five minutes?

The course targets remixing not modeling from scratch

Prusa Research has released a Prusa Academy course focused on editing existing STL files in Blender. The accompanying blog post walks through a complete vase remix using only direct mesh tools. Kryštof Kohout wrote the guide published on October 20, 2026. He notes that colleagues often feel intimidated by Blender compared to PrusaSlicer. The course limits scope to editing models from Printables or similar sites. This avoids the complexity of building from scratch where most tutorials start. Still the material covers direct mesh editing sculpting and modifiers. It skips the overwhelming parts.

A vase from Printables serves as the teaching model

The example STL comes from Printables. It offers a modest design suitable for various editing styles. Its simple mesh means quick editing even on slower computers. Complex models can seriously slow a computer down according to the post. Readers download the file then open Blender. A new General scene starts the workflow. The default cube camera and light get removed with A then Delete. Import happens by dragging the STL into the Blender window. A pop-up appears with options; pressing Import STL proceeds. File → Import → STL works as an alternative. Installation takes longer than the first edit.

Object mode resembles PrusaSlicer but Edit mode unlocks geometry changes

Object mode allows only size rotation and position adjustments. Edit mode lets users change the relative position of individual edges and vertices. The dropdown in the top-left corner switches modes. Wireframe mode from the viewport shading selector shows through the model. This helps select elements around the entire perimeter including the base. Solid mode returns the default view. The navigation gizmo aligns the view straight on. Pressing X or Y gives front or side views; Z gives top views. Proportional editing activates via the concentric circles button at the top. This creates smooth shapes on the vase. You see through walls now.

Scale and rotate tools combine with proportional editing for quick shape changes

The demonstration starts with scaling the vase bottom. Left-click and drag selects the lower section. Pressing S enables the scale tool. Moving the mouse away increases the selected part size. Left-click applies but the guide suggests waiting. Scrolling the mouse wheel adjusts the proportional editing radius shown as a grey circle. Scrolling down increases the size; scrolling up decreases it. A larger circle affects more of the vase for smooth transitions. Shift + Z disables scaling along the Z axis so the segment widens without height change. Left-click or Enter applies the modifications. Rotating works similarly with the R key. Selecting the middle section and rotating twists the vase. The proportional editing size controls whether top and bottom stay flat. Combining twisting with scaling creates a larger base for stability. Selecting thin stripes and rotating them repeatedly with a small radius crumples the vase. A completely new shape emerges in about a minute. Undo is Ctrl + Z.

Printability checks in the slicer catch geometry errors before printing

Infinite shapes are possible but many break geometry. Thin walls and impossible overhang angles appear often. The guide stresses checking edited STL files in the slicer before printing. The first vase example shows steep overhangs at the bottom marked by blue lines. Supports solve this issue. Another shape had walls so thin that PrusaSlicer generated empty layers. This requires readjusting the vase in Blender. The course later introduces the Inflate Brush in the sculpting environment for thicker walls. Two printed remix designs appear alongside the original vase. Roses from Printables complete the decor. A twisted stem fits the wavy vase better than the original straight one. Custom-fit adjustments represent the real beauty of STL editing in Blender. Functional parts need precise dimensions.

The full course adds precise dimensions and modifiers for functional parts

Functional parts demand scaling to precise dimensions. Very detailed models work better with modifiers than direct editing. The course covers these topics in detail. Prusa Academy courses combine structured text images and short videos. Quizzes test knowledge along the way. Completion earns an official certificate. The blog post is only a sneak peek.