Book Image

Blender 3D Incredible Models

By : Arijan Belec
Book Image

Blender 3D Incredible Models

By: Arijan Belec

Overview of this book

Blender is a massively popular and powerful 3D program, with versatile modeling abilities that make it a great way to enter the 3D modelling world. Blender 3D Incredible Models is an extensive guide for those new to hard-surface modeling with Blender, helping you understand the complete range of tools and features it offers and how to employ those efficiently to create realistic models. You’ll be led through progressively more challenging modeling projects— from an assault rifle and an army tank to a sci-fi spaceship model—giving you a glimpse of all the skills you’d need in Blender’s vast ecosystem of features and functionality, ranging from textures, rendering, and UV mapping to lighting, rigging, and beyond. Each engaging project builds upon the last until you’re equipped with everything you need to tackle your own modeling challenges, whatever they may be. By the end of this Blender book, you won’t just know how to create the models covered here, but you’ll be able to turn your own concepts and references into 3D Blender models too!
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
1
Part 1: Introduction to Hard Surface Modeling
3
Part 2: Modeling an Assault Rifle
7
Part 3: Modeling a Sci-Fi Race Ship
10
Part 4: Modeling a T-72 Tank

Introducing the 3D Cursor

Before we begin increasing the level of detail on our model, let’s talk more about the 3D Cursor. The 3D Cursor is arguably one of the most powerful and versatile tools in Blender. In Chapter 2, Creating Basic Shapes for an FN SCAR, we mentioned that it is used for manipulating objects in 3D space and that every time we add a new object, it is created exactly at the 3D Cursor.

The 3D Cursor has much more functionality and can be useful in many ways, but the best way to understand its abilities is to try using it. Let’s explore what it can do with a few simple steps:

  1. Place your 3D Cursor next to the cube by left-clicking, like this:

Figure 3.1 – Placing the 3D Cursor

  1. Find the Transform Pivot Point menu at the top of your screen and select 3D Cursor.

Figure 3.2 – 3D Cursor as pivot point

  1. Now try scaling and rotating the cube and see what happens.
...