Book Image

Blender 3D Basics

Book Image

Blender 3D Basics

Overview of this book

Blender is by far the most popular open source graphics program available. It is a full featured 3D modeling, animation and games development tool used by millions all over the world ñ and it's free! This book is for those looking for an entry into the world of 3D modeling and animation regardless of prior experience. Blender 3D Basics is the entry level book for those without prior experience using 3D tools. It caters for those who may have downloaded Blender in the past but were frustrated by its lack of intuitiveness. Using simple steps it builds, chapter by chapter, into a full foundation in 3D modeling and animation. Using Blender 3D Basics the reader will model a maritime scene complete with boats and water, then add materials, lighting and animation. The book demystifies the Blender interface and explains what each tool does so that you will be left with a thorough understanding of 3D.
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
Blender 3D Basics Beginner's Guide
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
3
Controlling the Lamp, the Camera, and Animating Objects
Index

Time for action — making the camera see what you do


As Blender only renders what the camera sees, it's useful to be able to point the camera at what you are working on:

  1. Use the keys on the Numpad to move your view to an angle that you like.

  2. Press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the 0 key on the Numpad.

    Note

    If you accidently press Ctrl+0 without pressing the Alt key and the screen seems to be blank, then press Ctrl+Z to undo this command and return to where you were. You just turned the cube into the camera.

  3. Press the 7 key on the Numpad.

  4. Press the 0 key on the Numpad.

What just happened?

You got a little practice in using the Numpad to move the view. Then, when you press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the 0 key on the Numpad, Blender matches the camera's view to the current view, as seen in the following screenshot. Pressing the 7 key moves you to the top view, so that you can see that when you press the 0 key on the Numpad to get the camera view, that it matches the angle you had selected.

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