Overview
The exciting new book on the exciting new Blender 2.5!
If you want to design 3D animation, here's your chance to jump in with both feet, free software, and a friendly guide at your side! Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the perfect introduction to the popular, open-source, Blender 3D animation software, specifically the revolutionary new Blender 2.5. Find out what all the buzz is about with this easy-access guide. Even if you're just beginning, you'll learn all the Blender 2.5 ropes, get the latest tips, and soon start creating 3D animation that dazzles.
- Walks you through what you need to know to start creating eye-catching 3D animations with Blender 2.5, the latest update to the top open-source 3D animation program
- Shows you how to get the very most out of Blender 2.5's new multi-window unblocking interface, new event system, and other exciting new features
- Covers how to create 3D objects with meshes, curves, surfaces, and 3D text; add color, texture, shades, reflections and transparency; set your objects in motion with animations and rigging; render your objects and animations; and create scenes with lighting and cameras
If you want to start creating your own 3D animations with Blender, Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition is where you need to start!
Synopsis
Create 3D models and realistic scenes, and get animated with Blender!
Blender can do all the cool 3D things, but trying to figure it out on your own can make you feel as if you're in a blender. Relax! This book takes Blender step by step. First, you learn to think the Blender way. Then you start modeling, adding materials, lighting, rigging, and animating. Soon you'll be sharing your creations with the world!
- Become a Blenderhead — find out how Blender "thinks" and learn your way around the program
- Develop detailed 3D scenes — create almost anything with meshes, save time with modifiers, and make the best use of Blender's other object types
- Lights and texture — understand texture mapping, use different lamp types, and take advantage of ambient occlusion
- Give it life — rig your characters for animation with shape keys, hooks, and armatures, and understand inverse kinematics
- Get it out there — understand exporting, rendering, compositing, and editing for output
Open the book and find:
- Why Blender is perfect for small shops and independent artists
- How to navigate in three dimensions
- Ways to make animations more believable
- How to color vertices and provide texture
- Tips on making Blender do the animating for you
- What particle systems do
- Ten common problems new users face
- How to work with the video sequence editor
Bonus CD Includes
Blender 2.48a complete version! Save download time and install the version you'll use for this book.
See the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.