Blender For Dummies

| Posted by dhony juliardy

So you’ve heard about Blender, the free 3D animation software. You really want to know more about the features of Blender, where to get it, and how to use it. You’re in luck. It’s all in Blender For Dummies, including Blender software on the bonus DVD.

Because there’s a lot to learn about Blender, you’ll be glad this book takes it step by step. First, you’ll learn to install Blender 2.46 and think the Blender way. Then you’ll start creating 3D objects and setting them in motion with animations and rigging. Soon you’ll be texturing with Blender, rendering with Blender, and sharing your creations. You’ll learn how to:

  • Create almost anything with meshes, save time with the Mirror modifier, and use Blender’s secret weapon, Dupliverts
  • Understand texture mapping, know when to use which type of lamp, and use radiosity in animation
  • Work with curves and surfaces, and add color, shades, texture, and reflections
  • Rig your characters for animation with shape keys, hooks, and armatures, and understand kinematics
  • Navigate in three dimensions
  • Make your animations more believable, and let Blender do the animating for you
  • Use the video sequence editor
  • Export, render, composite, and edit for output

You’ll even get tips on common problems new Blender users face and how to avoid them. Blender For Dummies will have you creating eye-popping 3D animations before you know it.

Bonus Content: Graphics created using techniques and instructions from Blender for Dummies (Click to Enlarge)


Character Creation
Blending Techniques

Review

"The accompanying CD contains supporting scene files, a list of 10 useful websites...A comprehensive reference guide..." (3D World, May 2009)

Product Description

Blender 2.5 is nothing short of revolutionary, and it makes Blender at least the equal of animation packages costing thousands of dollars. Although Blender is designed to be fast to use, it’s interface and features can be a bit intimidating. That’s where Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition
comes in. Find out how to harness the new multi-window unblocking interface, and get going fast with 3D modeling, rigging, lighting, animating, and rendering.

For people who think that 3D animation is cool and interesting, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars getting started, Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition is just what the animator ordered! Blender, the open-source, free 3D animation software has been used for everything from television animations to full-length animated features. Blender has the features that you expect in expensive, 3D animation products like AutoDesk Maya and AutoDesk 3ds Max and provides a way for novices to "learn the ropes" of 3D animation on the cheap.

Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition presents information on how to use the program to create 3D objects with meshes, curves and surfaces and 3D text; add color, texture, shades, reflections and transparency; set your objects in motion with animations and rigging; render your objects and animations; and create scenes with lighting and cameras. Written by expert animator Jason van Gumster, Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides the know-how and shortcuts that allows middle-school students to create incredible 3D objects and animations in a single-day workshop. If you want to start using Blender fast to create your own 3D objects and animations, Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition is definitely the place to start.
--This text refers to an alternate

From the Back Cover

Create 3D models and realistic scenes, and get animated with Blender!

Blender can do all the cool 3D things, but trying to figure it out on your own can make you feel as if you're in a blender. Relax! This book takes Blender step by step. First, you learn to think the Blender way. Then you start modeling, adding materials, lighting, rigging, and animating. Soon you'll be sharing your creations with the world!

  • Become a Blenderhead — find out how Blender "thinks" and learn your way around the program

  • Develop detailed 3D scenes — create almost anything with meshes, save time with modifiers, and make the best use of Blender's other object types

  • Lights and texture — understand texture mapping, use different lamp types, and take advantage of ambient occlusion

  • Give it life — rig your characters for animation with shape keys, hooks, and armatures, and understand inverse kinematics

  • Get it out there — understand exporting, rendering, compositing, and editing for output

Open the book and find:

  • Why Blender is perfect for small shops and independent artists

  • How to navigate in three dimensions

  • Ways to make animations more believable

  • How to color vertices and provide texture

  • Tips on making Blender do the animating for you

  • What particle systems do

  • Ten common problems new users face

  • How to work with the video sequence editor

Bonus CD Includes
Blender 2.48a complete version! Save download time and install the version you'll use for this book.

See the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

About the Author

Jason van Gumster has produced a variety of animations and visualeffects for television and film as producer/animator for Hand TurkeyStudios. A Blender user since 1998, he's given numerous Blender workshops and blogs for Blender Nation, the primary news Web site for Blender users.

Buy Now




Label: