Book Image

Taking Blender to the Next Level

By : Ruan Lotter
Book Image

Taking Blender to the Next Level

By: Ruan Lotter

Overview of this book

If you're ready to start exploring the more advanced workflows and processes in Blender to create intricate 3D models, then Taking Blender to the Next Level is for you. This book focuses on a few different VFX-related workflows such as geometry nodes, organic modeling, 3D camera tracking, photogrammetry, sculpting, compositing, and physics simulations. You’ll learn how to use geometry nodes to create dynamic motion graphic scenes as well as perform 3D scanning of real-world objects using photogrammetry. You’ll also find out how to model, rig, and animate your own 3D characters from scratch. Next, you’ll progress to using simulations to break objects apart and then use cloth and hair simulations to add realism to your 3D creations. Finally, you’ll go over the final render settings and export your 3D animation masterpiece as a video. By the end of this Blender book, you’ll be able to model your own 3D characters, objects, and landscapes; rig, animate, and texture your characters; 3D track live-action footage; and composite your 3D characters into live-action scenes.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
1
Part 1: Modeling, Materials, and Animation Workflows
10
Part 2: Let's Do Some Physics
14
Part 3: Match Moving and Compositing

UV unwrapping our model

In this section, we will be looking at how to UV unwrap our base mesh. A UV Map is the flat representation of the surface of our 3D model. This process of creating a UV Map is called UV unwrapping. Think of this as taking your 3D mesh and unfolding it flat onto a surface; this will allow us to map a 2D image or texture onto our 3D model when adding materials in Chapter 5, PBR Materials: Texturing our Mushroom Scene. Let's do this now.

The UV Editing workspace

The UV Editing workspace has been configured and optimized for UV-related work. Let's see how we can use it:

  1. Click the mesh to select it in the 3D Viewport and click the UV Editing tab at the top of the interface to enter the UV Editing workspace.
  2. The UV Editing workspace will open and you will see your mesh on the right and your UV Map on the left. Let's make sure that we're in Edge Select mode by hovering your mouse over the right 3D Viewport and pressing 2 to enable...