MODELING in 3D Space

Much like computer programming, 3D modeling/animation programs have a lot in similarity with each other. Once you learn how to use one, the others aren't all that hard to gain fluency in. We will be using Blender. While the learning curve is steep (much like Photoshop was at first), the payout is huge. A typical CG artist can make between $40k-$60k a year. With mastery of several programs under your belt, running production members of TV programs can make between $59k - $88k a year.

In our first 3D assignment, we'll simply learn how to use Blender to render a 3D model with realistic lighting. We'll learn about basic shapes, editing those shapes, creating and applying materials, as well as the node-editor for rendering a great end-product.

BLENDER FOR N00BS

There are several things that will help you along the way:

1) Check out the following summary of how to use the interface:

2) Yet ANOTHER set of introductory tutorials (in 2.49, but they still will get you used to the interface and how to use Blender) linky

3) In the Balloons tutorial you're about to do, there are several shortcuts used a LOT.

• Middle mouse scroll is zoom in/out

• middle-mouse-button click is orbit

• Shift-middle-mouse-button click is pan

• after right-clicking an object, using TAB toggles between Object and Edit modes (Object mode lets you select whole objects and scale/move them whereas Edit mode allows for the movement of points/lines/faces within individual shapes).

• shift-right-click to select multiple objects

• z toggles between wire-frame mode (easy to see into an object to see if you've selected lines/points properly) and solid mode (a fast-shaded view of the object)

• The 'A' key toggles between selecting everything and de-selecting (an object or) everything.

• while in Edit Mode - using CTRL-TAB brings up the interface to allow you to select either Vertices (points), Lines (....lines), or faces (filled sides).

• while in Edit Mode - pressing B TWO TIMES [box-select mode] will allow you to drag a marquee around a group of points (you have to be in vertex-pointmode).

• while in Edit Mode - C will allow you to brush-select [paint] an area to select objects, points, lines or faces

• Escape exits most things

• typing N will open a properties panel for a particular object (showing you object coordinates/textures/paints/weights/parents)

• typing T will open object tools (allowing you to translate/rotate/duplicate/join/scale etc...)

• Numpad 0 toggles on CameraView mode (while in CameraView mode you can move/select/change objects with them selected, or by clicking the camera, you can move/select/change the camera as well)

• Numpad 1 is front-view | Ctrl Numpad 1 is back view

• Numpad 3 is right side-view | Ctrl Numpad 3 is left side-view

• Numpad 7 is top-view | Ctrl Numpad 7 is bottom view

• Numpad 4 and 6 are rotate at 15 degrees left and right respectively

• Numpad 5 toggles between orthographic and perspective modes

• Numpad 2 and 8 rotate at 15 degrees down and up respectively

Here are some key shortcuts for you to reference when using Blender for 3D art and animation