Blender For Dummies

by van Gumster, Jason

• ISBN13: 9780470584460
• ISBN10: 0470584467
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-05-03
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

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, 2 nd 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 camerasIf you want to start creating your own 3D animations with Blender, Blender For Dummies, 2 nd Edition is where you need to start!

Author Biography

Jason van Gumster uses Blender every day in his work as a producer/animator for Hand Turkey Studios. He has given numerous international Blender demonstrations and workshops for students, professionals, and hobbyists, and he also blogs for Blender Nation, the primary news Web site for Blender users.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Wrapping Your Brain Around Blender.

Chapter 1: Discovering Blender.

Chapter 2: Understanding How Blender Thinks.

Chapter 3: Getting Your Hands Dirty Working in Blender.

Chapter 4: Working in Edit Mode and Object Mode.

Part II: Creating Detailed 3D Scenes.

Chapter 5: Creating Anything You Can Imagine with Meshes.

Chapter 6: Using Blender’s Nonmesh Primitives.

Chapter 7: Changing That Boring Gray Default Material.

Chapter 8: Giving Models Texture.

Chapter 9: Lighting and Environment.

Part III: Get Animated!

Chapter 10: Animating Objects.

Chapter 11: Rigging: The Art of Building an Animatable Puppet.

Chapter 12: Animating Object Deformations.

Chapter 13: Letting Blender Do the Work for You.

Part IV: Sharing Your Work with the World.

Chapter 14: Exporting and Rendering Scenes.

Chapter 15: Compositing and Editing.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 16: Ten Problems for New Users in Blender (And Ways Around Them).

Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Working More Effectively in Blender.

Chapter 18: Ten Excellent Community Resources.

Appendix: About the DVD.

Index.