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 — using the Spin tool to make the rim of the ship's wheel


The Spin tool is a very handy tool for making circular objects. It operates in a similar way to the extrusion, but instead of making a single extrusion in one direction, it creates a series of extrusions around a point. You can specify how many degrees you go around and how many extrusions it takes to do it. You'll start by making the rim of the ship's wheel. Time to give it a try:

  1. Select New from the File menu.

  2. Press Numpad 7 to get the Top view. Press Numpad 5 to get the Ortho view.

  3. Press X to delete the default cube.

  4. Press Shift+A and select Mesh, and then Plane from the menu.

  5. Press the Tab key to get into Edit Mode.

  6. Press S, X, 0.125, Enter.

  7. Press S, Y, 0.08, Enter.

  8. Press the Tab key to return to Object Mode.

  9. Press N to open up the Properties panel in 3D View.

  10. Press R, X, 90, and Enter.

  11. In the Transform subpanel, change the Location: X: to 1, as shown in the following screenshot, to offset the rim away from its center.

  12. Use...