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 faces out of vertices and edges


The most fundamental unit of a mesh object is the vertex. So, now you are going to make a vertex, and when you make a second one, the two will be connected by an edge. Then, you continue until you have enough vertices for a face.

  1. Load a new file.

  2. Press 7 on the Numpad to get the Top View.

  3. Press the Tab key to edit the cube.

  4. Press A to select all the vertices. Press X to delete them.

  5. Look in the lower left corner of the 3D View window. It still shows that the active object is the cube. Only the data block of the cube remains. It has no connections to any vertices, edges, or faces. You deleted them. But, to delete the cube itself, you would still need to press X while in Object. Don't do that.

  6. Click the 3D Manipulator button in the 3D View header, so that the 3D Manipulator icon does not show up in the 3D View.

  7. Hold down the Ctrl key, and click theLMB somewhere to the left and above the 3D Cursor to create a vertex.

  8. Press Ctrl+LMB three more...