Abstract

The rapidly growing webtoon industry is facing increasing demands for production methods that are efficient, scalable, and economically viable. While traditional 2D webtoon creation allows for unique artistic expression, its labor-intensive nature poses significant challenges in maintaining visual consistency across large projects, meeting tight production schedules, and effectively managing budgets. This research investigates the potential of Blender 3D, a free and powerful 3D modeling and rendering software, to transform character modeling in webtoon production. Our goal is to thoroughly assess its ability to enhance both the efficiency of the creative process and the visual quality of the final product. We employ a hands-on approach, detailing each stage of character development using Blender 3D, which includes modeling intricate details, applying advanced textures, creating adaptable rigging systems for animation, and achieving high-quality rendering outputs. The empirical results indicate that Blender 3D significantly accelerates production workflows, maintains a high standard of visual quality, and offers substantial savings in both time and costs. As a result, integrating Blender 3D into webtoon production pipelines has the potential to empower individual creators and small to medium-sized studios, enabling them to reach visually competitive standards that were once primarily attainable by larger, more financially robust production companies.