"I still think, though, that somebody starting to learn basic 3D modeling (which was what the original post was about) should try to think in 3D from the start. Once you're adept at that, drawing out ideas can be useful, or necessary even, but you'll still be thinking about the object you're drawing from all points of view." This is true. Got way off track, didn't I? ;) I was just thinking about how I got into it. I started out drawing when I was very young and kept with it, so for me it's a natural thing to design what I'm gonna do by drawing. On the other hand, I've been watching some video tutorials by people "box modeling", and these are from people who are obviously very adept at thinking in 3D, and flow through it effortlessly and quickly, thinking several steps ahead, and come up with very good figures in no time.