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

Animating the boat


It's said that "An animator is an actor with a pencil". The point remains true even though you are using Blender instead of a pencil. A good animator is also a good actor. This is true even for something as simple as rowing the boat.

Think about rowing the boat. Basically, you dip the oars into the water, move the blades backwards with respect to the boat until the stroke is done, then lift up the oars and move the oars back to the starting position. So how long is that motion going to take?

All animators should own a stopwatch. You can get an inexpensive one on Amazon or at a local store. If you don't have one, you can use a clock or this online stopwatch http://www.online-stopwatch.com/large-stopwatch/. But neither is as convenient or as accurate as a stopwatch.