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 — going into Edit Mode


The difference between Object mode and Edit Mode is a little confusing at first. You look at the cube, and it's hard to tell which mode is which. But don't worry, you'll get the hang of it quickly enough.

  1. Open up Blender, or select New from the File menu. Zoom into the cube, so that it fills up most of the 3D View. You are going to look at it in more detail.

  2. Now press the Tab key. Press it several times. Note the changes in the 3D View, and the changes in the 3D View header.

What just happened?

You opened up Blender, and zoomed into the default cube. Then, you pressed the Tab key to go into Edit Mode. Edit Mode lets you modify parts of an object; the vertices, edges, and faces.

Both, Object Mode and Edit Mode, are shown here. In Edit Mode, you see dots at every corner of the cube, and all the edges of the cube are highlighted in orange. In the header, the Mode Selector button changes from Object Mode to Edit Mode, and some of the buttons change. Observe...