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 — choosing the best display mode


The Viewport Shading menu is in the header of the 3D View window. It lets you choose between the different methods of shading the objects displayed. While you may want the Texture display when you need to show an object's appearance, quite often, the Solid and Wireframe views will be best for modeling:

  1. Use the Tab key to get into Edit Mode in the 3D View, if you are not already. If you are unsure, look at the button on the header near the left-hand side of the 3D View window. It will say either Object Mode or Edit Mode.

  2. Move the cursor to the Viewport Shading menu, as seen in the next image. It's the same one that you used to change the mode to the Textured mode, when you were playing with the lighting.

  3. Now, select Wireframe mode. What is different about the 3D View?

What just happened?

You changed the Viewport Shading in the 3D View to Wireframe. Now, the cube is transparent, and you can see all the vertices and edges. When you are working in...