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 — moving an object in one plane in the local mode


We talked about global and local axes. Now you see the difference in action. You tap once to specify moving along a global axis, you tap twice to specify moving along a local axis:

  1. With the camera selected, press the G key to grab it.

  2. Now tap the Z key two times and move the mouse.

  3. Now tap the X key twice and move the mouse.

  4. Now tap the Y key twice and move the mouse.

  5. Press theLMB to let go of the camera.

What just happened?

You discovered that when you press the G key you can restrict the motion to the global Z plane by pressing the Z key once. If you press the Z key two times in a row, motion is restricted to the local Z plane. The same applies to the X plane and the Y plane.

Have a go hero — controlling location with numbers

Not only can you control whether you move, rotate, and scale an object, and along which axis with keys, but you can tell Blender what values to do it by. Try it.

Select the cube. Press the G key, then the Y...