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 — refining the use of the Bézier curve handles


Ironically, you can sometimes get more control by restricting the motion. You'll try limiting the motion of the control handles to a particular axis and you will set the control point so that only one control handle moves at a time:

  1. In the Graph Editor, zoom into the keyframe where you stretched the cube, select one of the handles with theRMB, press the G key to grab it, and move it around with the mouse. Press the Y key. Move the cursor around and observe how this affects the movement.

  2. Press the X key. Move the cursor around and observe how this affects the movement. Press theRMB to release the curve handle without making a change.

  3. Now, select the control point in the center.

  4. Press the V key. Select Free from the drop-down menu as shown in the following screenshot. Pick one of the control handles and move the cursor around and observe how this affects the curve.

What just happened?

You discovered that pressing the X or Y key locks...