Visualizing a shadow interacting with objects

[casterle]

I'm having trouble visualizing how a shadow from one object would fall across another.

I think creating a simple model with a lightsource would solve the problem, but 3D software is so complex! 

Can someone suggest a very simple Windows program that would allow me to build and combine simple shapes and cast a single light from a variable position?

[firstdefence]

Blender would seem to be the most obvious choice but doesn't Windows 10 have a rudimentary 3D app called 3D Builder, I think it can be got from the Microsoft Store.

There is also Google Sketchup

[casterle]

2 hours ago, firstdefence said:

Blender would seem to be the most obvious choice but doesn't Windows 10 have a rudimentary 3D app called 3D Builder, I think it can be got from the Microsoft Store.

There is also Google Sketchup

I need something far simpler than Blender or even SketchUp. Something that lets me stack blocks and pyramids, and place and 'feather' a light source, without having to understand the terminology and details associated with 3D models.

Or perhaps Blender isn't as intimidating as it looks (even with the new UI)?

[casterle]

18 hours ago, firstdefence said:

Blender would seem to be the most obvious choice

I spent a couple of hours yesterday playing with the Blender 2.80 beta. The new UI is a vast improvement and I found a 'rolling glass ball' tutorial for 2.80 that was pretty simple and has changed my thinking. The 3 years the devs put into this version really shows.

I've always thought that rendered objects would be a component of my creations, but wanted to put that bit off until I'd mastered the more familiar - images and vectors. But I now realize that what I will learn playing with 3D objects and lighting will be crucial in trying to create realistic images. At this point I'm going to see if there's sufficient material on the 2.80 beta to start learning it.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious .