Cyber Environments

Learn to make cyberpunk & urban environments in Blender.

By Max Hay

Cyber Environments

Learn to make cyberpunk & urban environments in Blender.

By Max Hay

Course Summary

This course will teach you how to make beautiful cyberpunk and urban environments in Blender.

​Some of my earliest renders I made in Blender were (quite bad) cyberpunk renders.
I found it impossible to get the level of detail I was happy with in such a complex urban setting.
I also found it really hard to make my images look good overall, even if I could manage to get some detail in there.

I spent probably thousands of hours trying to figure out how to make cyberpunk cities in blender that actually look good, tell a story, and have enough detail to wow people (and not have that rendery fake look).

Over the last 5 years I've been refining my process for creating urban and cyberpunk environments, and I've put everything I've learned in into a course so that it takes you a LOT less time learn this.

​With this course, you will learn how to create beautiful cyber environments in blender that impress everyone you show, access tons of models and tools to help make it as easy as possible, and have the option to connect with hundreds of other environment artists, as well as ask me questions directly.

One-Time Payment

Course Outline

Section 1 - Introduction & Fundamentals

In this section I will give an overview, go through my essential workflow tips, show all ways I use to speed up working with cycles, and how to fix the most common rendering issues.

Section 2 - Cyber Cube Creation

We'll jump right into this cyber cube render where I'll show you how to use powerful emissive surfaces which will let you control beautiful glowing surfaces and neon signs.

I'll show you the process from start to finish so that you can make your own version of this render, or take the techniques and apply them to whatever you want.

​We'll go over everything from creating the cube, making the wet floor and debris, to creating industrial assets that can be used in future projects

Section 3 - Cyberpunk Street Creation

We're literally starting from the ground up with this street level render. By the end of this one you'll be able to make beautiful neon-filled streets that feel alive and real.

​I've found that one of the most important parts of making a render feel real, or at least less render-y, is to apply photography principles to scene as much as possible. In this one I'll share some techniques I've learned from taking photos to make your cyberpunk streets feel natural and living.

Section 4 - Neon Junction Creation

In this next section, we'll zoom out to a busy city rooftop with light trails below. This is the first big environment and there's lots to learn here, from making buildings, light trails and roads, to getting a feel for managing big cityscapes.

Section 4 - Giant City Creation

Finally, the Giant City. The further you zoom out, sometimes the easier it becomes. We'll be using blender BLOSM (free addon) for the general layout of the buildings, and customizing it from there into a giant lit up city fading off into the horizon.

This one is particularly important for managing cities at different scales. There are really no limits to how big you can make something feel in blender, as long as you understand how to handle large-scale scenes (and it's really not as bad as you'd think).

Section 5 - Neon City Creation

I've updated the course with 3 new environments, the first one being this huge neon city. This one will go into creating neon city full of life, and really nailing that cozy cyperpunk vibe.

Section 6 - "High Rise" Environment Creation

Second of the 3 new environments I've added to the course. In this one we'll create a wide shot of a cyberpunk apartment complex, 

Section 7 - "Light & Dark" Environment Creation

Third of the new environments added, in this one we'll create a telephoto shot of this building, complete with Chinese signs and gritty apartment buildings.

Section 8 - Theory, Ideas & Inspiration

I'll leave you with some composition breakdowns from a few of my favorite cyberpunk scenes from other artists,
​and a more personal section where I talk about motivation, burnout, getting ideas, work schedule and the best way to improve as fast as possible at blender.

Includes asset packs to make cyber environments as easy as possible.

*Above image is an example of the packs used in a render.

All packs listed below come included with the course and can be used in commercial and personal projects.

1. Cyberpunk Streets Pack

Use this pack of street models to help bring your cyberpunk or city renders to life with ease. Includes 44 models, is mostly lightweight, and still has enough detail to bring renders to life. 

2. Industrial Pack

Pack of industrial models to add a level of grittiness to your cyberpunk, or industrial renders.  Includes 29 models.

3. People Pack by 3DFarm

Enjoy this pack of 5 models of people supplied by 3DFarm. I've been using 3Dfarm's models in my work for years, and I decided to partner with them here so that you can add people to your renders. Includes 5 people.

4. City Buildings Pack

This course will teach you how to make buildings from scratch, but I've included a pack here as well to make cities a lot easier.

5. Classic Sci-fi Pack

The Classic Sci-fi pack from my older course, now included here. Comes with rooftop antennas, wires, pipes, industrial buildings and assets, and other fitting models to fill up your rooftops and cities.

6. Neon Streets Pack Created by Eynn Barrios

I commissioned Eynn Barrios and worked closely with him to bring you this pack of 170 neon signs, trash piles, crates & boxes, street props, and more.

I'm really happy with how this one came out, I've found it super helpful for filling up city renders with endless neon signs and more.

Who is this course for?

This course is meant for the person who has at least the basics of using blender, but doesn't fully understand the process of making urban & cyberpunk renders from start to finish. It's about the same difficulty level as the content on my YouTube channel, so if you can follow most of that then you'll do great in the course.

30-Day Refund Policy

You can buy the course, go through the ENTIRE thing, and if you still don't feel like it was worth it, you can get a FULL refund up to 30 days later. 

I have this policy for 2 reasons:
1: I don't want your money unless you're 100% happy with your purchase. And 2: I'm making a point here by how confident I am in the product. 

So here's everything included:

1. Environment Process - Cyber Cube

An easier intro to the course so you can get a cool render done right out of the gate. You'll get to know the basic workflow I teach without anything too intimidating.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

2. Environment Process - Cyberpunk Street

In this second environment we'll go into how to make gritty cyberpunk streets, from making buildings to AC units and neon signs.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

3. Environment Process - Neon Junction

Next, we'll zoom out a bit to a rooftop render above a bustling intersection of neon lights. Again, the real-time creation is shown and explained in great detail so you can create the same or your own version of this.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

4. Environment Process - Giant City

After that, we'll create this giant city render. I wanted to show all levels of creating a city, and what better way to end it than with a huge cyberpunk city with neon lights fading into the horizon?

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

5. Environment Process 5

First of the 3 new environments added to the course.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

6. Environment Process 6

Second of the 3 new environments added to the course.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

7. Environment Process 7

Third of the 3 new environments added to the course.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

8. Bonus Module 1 - Sunset Cityscape

Bonus module from my first course, now included here.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

9. Bonus Module 2 - Nighttime Cityscape

Bonus module from my first course, now included here.

  • Access project files + all assets inside
  • Realtime process shown & explained in detail
  • All used resources and timestamps provided

10. Cyberpunk Streets Pack

Pack of models I made specifically to fill out gritty cyberpunk streets with tons of detail.

  • Mostly Lightweight (a few higher poly ones)
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

11. Industrial Pack

Though not specifically an industrial render course, I've found industrial assets typically go very well with cyberpunk streets. So enjoy this pack to add that industrial look to your urban renders.

  • Lightweight
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

12. People Pack by 3DFarm

I partnered with 3DFarm to get this pack of people included in the course. I've been using their models for years and they are my main source when buying 3D people models. Enjoy this included pack to enhance your city (or any other type of) renders.

  • Lightweight
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

13. City Buildings Pack

While the course will teach you exactly how to make your own buildings, I'm providing a pack of buildings to make cities a lot easier and faster.

  • Mostly Lightweight (a few of these are slightly higher poly)
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

14. Classic Sci-fi Pack

I've added the Classic Sci-fi pack from my older course. I still use this pack all the time to fill up rooftops with antennas, add cyberpunk wires, and fill empty space with gritty industrial buildings.

  • Lightweight
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

15. Neon Streets Pack by Eynn Barrios

170 neon signs, trash piles, boxes & crates, street props, and more.

  • Lightweight
  • Super easy to use
  • Use in commercial/personal work

16. Bonus Content

The course includes sections on composition, exactly what makes an artwork look good, finding inspiration & ideas, other project breakdowns and more.

17. [???]

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18. Access to the Private Community Discord

You will get access to the private community discord with hundreds of similar artists to connect with. Is available only people who have gone through my previous courses.

​You can get help and feedback, chat about blender or art, and talk to me directly.

$300

One-Time Payment (USD)

Student Results

People have been making amazing renders as a result of this course, below I've selected a few of my favorites to show, as well as their IG handles / names:

"This course gave me the tools and confidence to create detailed and immersive cyberpunk environments in Blender. The techniques were easy to follow, and I saw noticeable improvements in my 3D work right away."

- @ahmedkdrz

"great course, easy to follow, Max encourages exploration, it's a treat to have him share his process. I keep going back to his courses to bring life to my projects."

- @perception5

"When I try to create sci-fi scenes, I often feel troubled by the large scale and long rendering times

​However, your course demonstrates how to achieve large-scale scenes with low rendering times, which is truly impressive"

- @galazi

"My favorite aspect of the course is how it emphasizes getting things done, without being overly distracted by detail or overwhelmed by scale. The strong forward-movement of Max's process flattens the initial hurdles of executing on an idea, allowing more energy to go towards impactful creative-decisions and getting results."

- James Patel

"I loved how simple the basic setup was, and from very early on you saw results wich motivated to continue, and the end result is amazing!"

- @niko_alaopas

"Coming into the course with a good understanding of Blender, I’ve still been able to learn and develop so much from this course."

- @_frankie.design_

This course completely changed how I approach cyber environments. I went from struggling with depth and atmosphere to creating worlds that feel alive—my renders have never looked this good.

- Eynn Barrios (@eynnbarriosart)

Art by Johannes Wingender
(@carpe3D)

Art by Johannes Wingender
(@carpe3D)

"Never thought I'd learn so much from a course than I will ever have from a blender tutorial on YouTube. I had absolutely no direction in my life before discovering blender. Ever since I've picked Max Hay's courses up, I have never felt so ambitious and eager to express my feelings in the form of 3D."

- @walt.3d

"working along with your project videos has taught me how to use Blender in ways I wasn't aware of and has helped widen the scope of things I'm capable of creating."

- @lengorbital

"I've used blender on and off for 2 years. Iv always wanted to push the boundaries of my work. I've been following Max on Instagram and YouTube for about a year. in 2025 January i decided enough was enough. I purchased the course to further my skill set and understand learn digest how he does what he does to showcase his work. After completing the first course, I've learnt so much detail and the fundamentals of how he works around blender. He knows how to explain certain parts while proceeding with technical skill sets. His workflow blew my mind. I cannot wait to continue buying the other courses to push the bounders of my skill set."

- @c8tivestylz

Art by @entro3d

Art by @entro3d

Art by @silent._.apple

Art by @farhannrfd

Art by @dframed.art

STILL GOT QUESTIONS?

Frequently Asked Questions

What software do I need to follow along with the course?

The entire course is designed for someone to follow along in blender and a bit of Photoshop. All of the asset packs come as .blend files. If you really want to follow along with what I teach in a different software, I still think there is lots of value here. But just know that there is a lot you'd be missing.

How difficult is the course?

The course is meant for someone with at least a basic understanding of blender. If you're completely new, I recommend going through Blender Guru's donut series on YouTube. This will teach you the basics of how to use blender.

The difficulty of this course is around the same as the content I post on YouTube. If you can follow along with most of my videos, you'll do amazing in the course.

 What's your refund policy?

If you don't like the course, simply send me an email letting me know you'd like your money back within 30 days of purchasing the course. No problem.

You will not be permitted to use any of the downloadable assets unless you re-purchase the course.

 Can I go at my own pace?

Yes. The course is a series of pre recorded videos, so you can go through at whatever speed you like and revisit it at any time.

Still have questions or concerns? Email me here: max.v.hay@gmail.com

maxhayart
Delta RPO Tsawassen, Bc, V4L 2M4
PO Box 18125

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