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Blender 3D By Example
Blender 3D By Example

Blender 3D By Example: Design a complete workflow with Blender to create stunning 3D scenes and films step-by-step!

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Profile Icon Caudron Profile Icon Pierre-Armand Nicq
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$19.99 per month
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.9 (19 Ratings)
Paperback Sep 2015 334 pages 1st Edition
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$27.98 $39.99
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Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Caudron Profile Icon Pierre-Armand Nicq
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$19.99 per month
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.9 (19 Ratings)
Paperback Sep 2015 334 pages 1st Edition
eBook
$27.98 $39.99
Paperback
$48.99
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Free Trial
Renews at $19.99p/m
eBook
$27.98 $39.99
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$48.99
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Blender 3D By Example

Chapter 2. Robot Toy – Modeling of an Object

In this chapter, we will start our first project in order to discover the fundamental modeling tools of Blender. We will create a little robot that is inspired by vintage toys with a drawing image reference. You will learn polygonal modeling workflow, which will be useful for your future 3D productions. The head will be created with a simple cylindrical primitive that we will modify to give it the right shape. Then, in the same way, starting from a primitive, we will model the rest of the body, always with a good topology in mind. Indeed, we are going to maximize the number of quads (polygons with four faces) and organize them so that they best fit the shape of each part. In the end, we will do a quick render with the Blender internal render engine. Without further ado, let's enter the marvelous world of 3D modeling! In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

  • Adding and editing objects
  • Using the basic modeling tools...

Let's start the modeling of our robot toy

We will now start the modeling of the robot toy by adding the first object to the scene. The robot will be modeled from a simple cylinder.

Preparing the workflow by adding an image reference

In order to start the modeling of the robot, let's have a look at the following procedure:

  1. We will add the robot image reference in a new UV/Image Editor.
  2. After dividing the view and selecting the right editor (by clicking on the RMB on the edge of an editor and selecting Split Area), go to the UV/Image Editor header and select Open Image to choose the corresponding reference in the file browser.
  3. To pan or zoom in this editor, use the same shortcuts as the 3D view. This reference will serve as a guide during the modeling process. Refer to this in order to get the main shape right, but don't rely on its details.

Adding the head primitive

When you start modeling an object, you need to start with a basic 3D shape that is close to the shape you want to...

Using the basic modeling tools

In the following, you will learn the powerful usage of the main modeling tools of Blender, such as the Extrusion, Bevel, or Loop Cut tool, while creating your little robot toy.

Modeling the head

We will now use the basic modeling tools in order to form the shape of the head. As you may have understood, we are going to add new geometry gradually to approximate the shape in 3D. One of the useful tools is called Extrusion.

Note

What is an extrusion?

This is the process of creating new geometry by extending (and optionally transforming) selected components.

Modeling the head
  1. While the top face of the cylinder is selected in the Edit Mode, we will press the E key in order to create a new geometry from that face. Then, we will need to position and validate the extrusion.
  2. We now have two choices in order to confirm the extrusion. If you want, you can move the extruded geometry, and after this, press LMB in order to validate its position. The other choice is to press RMB, in order to place...

Summary

In this chapter, you learned to use the main modeling tools in Blender. You will keep learning about the other ways of modeling in the next chapters. Polygons can be seen as virtual clay. There are some rules to follow, but as soon as you know them, you will be free to model everything you wish

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Description

Blender is a powerful tool, stable, with an integral workflow that will allow you to understand your learning of 3D creation with serenity. Today, it is considered to be one of the most complete 3D packages on the market and it is free and open source! It is very efficient for many types of productions, such as 3D animated or live action films, architecture, research, or even game creation with its integrated game engine and its use of the Python language. Moreover, Blender has an active community that contributes to expanding its functionalities. Today, it is used in many professional products and by many companies. Through this book, you will create many types of concert projects using a step-by-step approach. You will start by getting to know the modeling tools available in Blender as you create a 3D robot toy. Then, you will discover more advanced techniques such as sculpting and re-topology by creating a funny alien character. After that, you will create a full haunted house scene. For the last project, you will create a short film featuring a rat cowboy shooting cheese in a rat trap! This will be a more complex project in which you learn how to rig, animate, compose advanced material, composite, and edit a full sequence. Each project in this book will give you more practice and increase your knowledge of the Blender tools. By the end of this book, you will master a workflow that you will be able to apply to your own creations.

What you will learn

  • Understand the basics of 3D and how to navigate your way around the Blender interface
  • Create a 3D robot toy model from start to finish using the basic modeling tools of Blender
  • Make a full alien character using the skin mesh modifier and the sculpting tools with an artistic approach
  • Use retopology techniques to create a clean 3D version of the previously sculpted alien
  • Model a full haunted house and its environment using more advanced modeling tools and techniques such as the Array Modifier, Instance duplication, or Curves
  • Discover the power of the texture paint tool in order to add color to the haunted house
  • Get to know the Cycles render engine by creating different materials for the house and the environment

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Sep 25, 2015
Length: 334 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785285073
Vendor :
Blender Foundation
Tools :

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Product Details

Publication date : Sep 25, 2015
Length: 334 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781785285073
Vendor :
Blender Foundation
Tools :

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Table of Contents

11 Chapters
1. Straight into Blender! Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Robot Toy – Modeling of an Object Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Alien Character – Base Mesh Creation and Sculpting Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Alien Character – Creating a Proper Topology and Transferring the Sculpt Details Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Haunted House – Modeling of the Scene Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Haunted House – Putting Colors on It Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Haunted House – Adding Materials and Lights in Cycles Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Rat Cowboy – Learning To Rig a Character for Animation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Rat Cowboy – Animate a Full Sequence Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Rat Cowboy – Rendering, Compositing, and Editing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.9
(19 Ratings)
5 star 47.4%
4 star 15.8%
3 star 21.1%
2 star 10.5%
1 star 5.3%
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pierre parenteau Apr 23, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
tres bon
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martin lawrence Nov 08, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I've bought this as I'm skilled with the basics and this has helped me broaden my skills to cover new areas within the program
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Theresa M Mason Feb 17, 2016
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Gift for my husband for Christmas and he loves it!!!
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Carles Nov 12, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book covers everything you can do with Blender the best way, using plenty of examples and going through them very precisely not giving anything for already known.The book is long (almost took me 3 weeks to read on my spare time) but never gets boring.It starts with a brief introduction to the workflow and then continues with the part anyone sure enjoys the most: several examples which cover different tools and design paths.After being already confident with the tool, this beefy part allow you to deliver all your creativity implementing the different case scenarios and having lots of fun while you learn at the same time.The only drawback for tight budgets is that it could be a little pricey but imho the book it's worth its value.
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Perry Nally Nov 06, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is amazing! I've read a few other Blender books and they all incorporate similar features. But this book goes a step further and teaches you animation, modeling, rigging, texturing, sculpting, lighting, particles, fur, grass, trees, rocks, character design, compositing, shape keys for your rig, and all the rest of the tools blender offers in such a way that it also adds principles of good techniques. For instance, you'll learn traditional principles of animation, how to write a script for your fully animated scene, what story boarding is and how to create them, and using the video sequence editor to complete the full animation of your sequences. There is an amazing amount of great information within these pages. You will learn very useful and current techniques on how to create a 3D animated sequence from scratch. I wish I had this book a few years ago.I am a mobile game developer (and a bunch of other things), and I often need 3D objects for my games. This book has given me the knowledge that I was looking for to create assets for my games. Sure it doesn't go into things like exporting for games, but it does discuss things like creating a re-topology of a high resolution model and correct UV mapping. Tons of other things too that help me inadvertently. I still needed things like creating an animated short and still images, so this is perfect.This really is your one stop shop for using blender if you are new to the blender world, and even a good reference book if you are familiar with blender already. Sure there will be more advanced feature that you'll need to learn that this book does not have, but the fact that this book even goes into subsurface scattering (SSS) in advanced textures and how to create grass and fur, tells you that this is not just a simple beginner's book, you'll learn it all including adjusting the cycles renderer to make great films. I'm so glad I read this book, and so will you.
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