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 — making reference objects


One of the simplest ways to see what size your boat should be is to have boxes of the proper size to use as guides. So now, you will make some.

  1. In the 3D View window, press the Tab key to get into Object Mode. Press A to deselect the boat.

  2. Press Numpad 3 to get the side view.

  3. Create a cube. Press Shift+A, and choose Cube off the menu. You will use this as a reference block for the size of the boat.

  4. In the 3D View window Properties panel, Transform sub panel, click on the Dimensions button, and change the dimensions for the reference block to 4.666 in the X direction, 9.83 in Y, and 1.5 in the Z direction. You can use the Tab key to go from X to Y to Z, and press Enter when you are done.

  5. Move the mouse over the 3D View window, then press Shift+D to duplicate the block. Then press Enter.

  6. Press Numpad 1 to get the front view.

  7. Press G and Z to move this block down, so it's top is in the lower-half of the first one. Press S, X, and then the number 0.79, then...