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

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.

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

So you’ve heard about Blender, the free 3D animation software. You really want to know more about the features of Blender, where to get it, and how to use it. You’re in luck! It’s all in Blender For Dummies, including Blender software on the bonus DVD.

Because there’s a lot to learn about Blender, you’ll be glad this book takes it step by step. First, you’ll learn to install Blender 2.48 and think the Blender way. Then you’ll start creating 3D objects and setting them in motion with animations and rigging. Soon you’ll be texturing with Blender, rendering with Blender, and sharing your creations. You’ll learn how to:

• Create almost anything with meshes, save time with the Mirror modifier, and use Blender’s secret weapon, Dupliverts
• Understand texture mapping, know when to use which type of lamp, and use radiosity in animation
• Work with curves and surfaces, and add color, shades, texture, and reflections
• Rig your characters for animation with shape keys, hooks, and armatures, and understand kinematics
• Navigate in three dimensions
• Make your animations more believable, and let Blender do the animating for you
• Use the video sequence editor
• Export, render, composite, and edit for output

You’ll even get tips on common problems new Blender users face and how to avoid them. Blender For Dummies will have you creating eye-popping 3D animations before you know it!