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 — exploring the alpha channel


As you have shades of red, green, and blue, you also have shades of alpha channel. The darker the shade of alpha, the closer its value is to zero, the more transparent that pixel is:

  1. Press Esc to return to the 3D View window. Select the red sphere with theRMB.

  2. In the Properties window, choose the Material button from the header. It's the ninth button from the left with the chrome ball on it.

  3. In the Transparency subpanel, check the Transparency checkbox and set the Alpha: to 0.4.

  4. In the 3D View, press Shift+D to duplicate the red sphere. Move the duplicate sphere a bit, so that both overlap but you can see more than half of each sphere as shown in the following screenshot.

  5. Select the Render button in the Properties window header. It's the second button from the left with a still camera on it.

  6. In the Shading subpanel, check the Ray Tracing checkbox.

  7. Press F12 and the render will look similar to the following screenshot.

  8. Press Esc when you are done...