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 — adjusting the falloff


Now that the scene is set, check out how much you can vary the light without ever changing how much energy the light emits:

  1. In the Lamp subpanel of the Properties window, click on the Sun button.

  2. Press F12. No falloff. Sunlight does not get dimmer, only spot lights, point lights, and area lights get dimmer.

  3. In the Lamp subpanel, click on the Spot button.

  4. Press F12.

  5. In the Lamp subpanel, change the Falloff: Distance: from 25 to 12.

  6. Press F12.

  7. In the Lamp subpanel, set the Falloff: Distance: to 50.

  8. Press F12.

  9. In the Lamp subpanel, set the Falloff: Distance: to 100.

  10. Press F12. Press Esc when you have finished looking at the image. Compare what you have seen in the three renders, as shown in the following screenshot:

What just happened?

This Time for action section brings up a good question. If light can travel distances so far that it takes the light billions of years to get there, why does light get dimmer in just crossing a room? Shouldn't it stay just as bright...