Tutorial: Changing Cameras during an Animation in Blender 2.5

In this video, we'll take a look at how to change cameras during an animation in Blender 2.5. This process is easier and more intuitive than in previous versions of Blender.


Watch the video tutorial (low-res)...

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Tip: Moving Objects out of the Local View without exiting the Local View mode

In this tutorial, we'll take a look at how to easily move objects out of the Local View without exiting the Local View.

This feature is found in both Blender 2.49 and 2.5.


Watch the video tutorial...

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Quick Tip: Aligning Objects in Blender 2.5

In this quick tip video, we'll take a look at how to align objects in Blender 2.5.



Watch the video tutorial...

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Tip: Optimizing Blender 2.5 UI Interaction

In this quick tip, we’ll take a look at probably one of the most important settings to control the smoothness of Blender’s UI interaction, the Window Draw Method.



This video is hosted on BlenderCookie.

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Timelapse: Modeling of a Perfume Bottle

This is a pretty old (at least 2 years old) timelapse that I stumbled upon while cleaning up some files. I thought I would share it instead of just junking it. Maybe it will enlighten someone.

There's no audio, so you can provide your own music if desired.

I just modeled the main form of the bottle.


Watch the video tutorial...

Here's the reference image:

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Using ZBrush MatCaps in Blender

In this tutorial we'll take a look at how to use ZBrush MatCaps in Blender, and where to find MatCaps.

This works with Blender 2.5 and 2.49.



Watch the video tutorial...

Resources

• ZBrush MatCap Library
• ZBrush MatCap thread at Blenderartists.org
• ZBrush forum MatCap Repository
• "kwout" Firefox Extension for cutting out webpage images

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Shape Modeling Exercise Series - #1

This is the first video in a series of videos on modeling shapes in Blender.

The point of these videos is not to model a complete object but to rather focus on different shapes and issues that you may encounter while modeling. So, essentially, these are exercises.

Hopefully, these videos will help you better understand how to approach modeling certain shapes, and what tools are available in Blender to make things easier.

(The techniques demonstrated aren't intended to be the exact solution for every scenario.)

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Measuring Objects and Distances in Blender

In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to measure objects and distances in Blender. We’ll look at features built into Blender and the Caliper script (created by Dolf Veenvliet, aka macouno).

The Caliper script can be downloaded at:
http://www.alienhelpdesk.com/python_scripts/caliper

Version Compatibility: 2.4x
Tutorial Level: Beginner

You can check out the tutorial at BlenderCookie.com

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Quick Tip: Creating Procedural Noise Textures that are Stable During Animation

In this quick tip, we’ll take a look at how to easily create a procedural noise texture that’s stable during animation, unlike the default “Noise” procedural texture that’s available in Blender.

Version Compatibility: 2.4x, 2.5 alpha zero
Tutorial Level: Beginner

You can check out the tutorial at BlenderCookie.com

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Blender 2.5.0 Tutorial: Changing the Keystroke for the Add Menu from Shift-A to Spacebar

Well, Blender 2.5 ALPHA 0 has been officially released! I think many people will be pleased to see that, even though there are plenty of new features, Blender is still Blender. And with some initial effort to get up to speed with the basic differences, you can quickly begin to feel at home with the knowledge gained from using Blender 2.4x.

Personally, I'll still use Blender 2.4x because of its stability, but it will be fun to explore the new Blender while it stabilizes.

I'll be posting occasional tips and tutorials for Blender 2.5.0, but I want to be careful about the subjects I cover until 2.5 stabilizes.

Having said that, here's a quick tip video on how to change the keystroke mapping for the Add Menu in 2.5 so it's the same as what you may be used to using in the 2.4x series.

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Video Tutorial: Basic Blocking for a 3D Cartoon Hand

In this tutorial, we'll be taking a look at the basic blocking for modeling a 3d cartoon hand.

This is part 2 in the BlenderNewbies Hand Modeling Tutorial series.

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Video Tutorial: Basic Hand Structure for 3D Modeling

In this tutorial, we'll be taking a look at basic hand structure for 3d modeling. This is part of a Hand Modeling Tutorial Series, but we won't get into any modeling at this point.

We, first, want to take a look at what we need to consider when modeling a hand. These structural issues are relevant whether you're modeling a cartoon hand, a more realistic hand, or any type of stylized hand.

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Video Tutorial: Modeling a Smooth T-Joint Connection in Blender

In this Blender tutorial, we'll be taking a look at how to model a smooth t-joint connection. This technique is something you might want to consider when simply intersecting two cylinders doesn't quite give you the appearance you need.

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Video Tutorial: How to Change Cameras during an Animation in Blender

This video tutorial will show you how to use multiple cameras in your animation, and easily control the camera switching in your animated scene.




Additional Info:
To assign a camera to be active at multiple points during your animation, simply add the necessary frame numbers to the camera's name, separated by commas (no space required).

Example
---------
A camera desired to be the active camera at frames 48 and 1726 should be named as follows:

48,1726

You can have as many assignments per camera as desired, up to the character limit for object names. Note that frame numbers greater than 4 digits should not be formatted with commas (i.e. 1,429 should be named as 1429).

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Blender Themes Used in BlenderNewbies Tutorials

I'm often asked about the themes that have been used in the BlenderNewbies tutorial videos, so I've decided to provide downloads for all of the themes that have been used thus far.

This is the first theme that I started using regularly. It was created by Bastian Salmela (aka basse).

Download Zipped theme file.

This green theme is one that I created.

Download Zipped theme file.

This is the theme that I'm currently using. It's a modified version of a theme called "Dark". I can't remember who created the original version.

Download Zipped theme file.


To use these themes, you'll need to unzip the python script into your "scripts" subfolder.


Then, in Blender, open a Scripts window.


Locate the Scripts, Themes menu and select the desired theme. Blender's interface will be updated instantly.



For more info on how to customize Blender's interface, you might want to check out the Pimp Your Blender tutorial.

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Disabling Modifiers to Increase Interface Responsiveness

As you develop your 3d models and scenes, you inevitably come to a point where the responsiveness of the 3D View begins to diminish. There are many ways to deal with this issue, but one way that may not be too obvious is to simply temporarily disable the effects of some modifiers in the 3D View.

This works really well for modifiers that add geometry or objects to the scene, such as:

• Subsurf
• Particles
• Mirror
• Array

For example, you add a Level 2 Subsurf to a model in a scene and begin working on some other aspect of the scene. You can temporarily disable the Surbsurf effects for any existing models while still having the Subsurf applied during the render. This lightens the load for the 3D View and increases the interface's responsiveness as you continue to work on other aspects of your scene. Using this strategy in a scene containing several objects with multiple modifier's applied can result in a significant increase in performance.

To disable a modifier's effects in the 3D View, simply deselect the button indicated below. This same button can be found on the control panel of all modifiers and is enabled by default.


Also, note that you can disable a modifier's effects during a render and in the editing mode by toggling the appropriate button.

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Enabling Texture Visibility on Both Sides of a Face

By default, Blender will display uv-mapped textures on only one side of a face. To get them to be visible on both sides, do the following:

Here we have a Plane object with an image texture mapped onto it.


Here is the back side of the Plane with no texture visible.


To make the texture visible on the back side, Tab into Edit mode and select the face. Then, go to the Editing buttons window (F9) and locate the Texture Face panel as shown. Enable the Twoside option, and that's it!


You now have the texture displaying on both sides.

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Bring Out More Details in Some of your Applied Image Textures

Do some of your applied image textures look a little blurry when rendered?

Well, here's a tip that can easily add a little bit more crispness to some of those textures. This applies specifically to Image textures.

The parameter involved is called MipMap. It can be found in the Texture buttons window (F6), on the Map Image panel. This panel is only visible after having added an Image texture to your object.



MipMap

With the MipMap option enabled (the default), Blender will create several lower-resolution images of your texture and automatically use them based on the objects distance from the camera. Because less memory is require to process these low-res textures, render speeds can be enhanced, as well as increased framerates within the Game Engine.

However, this can sometimes result in less crisp textures, it depends on the texture and your preference for how things should look. The difference is usually subtle and it often requires doing some test renders, but it can often result in crisper looking image textures. This may not provide consistent results in an animation so, you'll need to do some comparision renders to be sure.

How it Works (from Wikipedia)
Each bitmap image of the mipmap set is a version of the main texture, but at a certain reduced level of detail. Although the main texture would still be used when the view is sufficient to render it in full detail, the renderer will switch to a suitable mipmap image (or in fact, interpolate between the two nearest, if trilinear filtering is activated) when the texture is viewed from a distance or at a small size. Rendering speed increases since the number of texture pixels ("texels") being processed can be much lower than with simple textures. Artifacts are reduced since the mipmap images are effectively already anti-aliased, taking some of the burden off the real-time renderer. Scaling down and up is made more efficient with mipmaps as well.

Here are two renders where the only settings difference is the MipMap option.


Find more info on the other options available on the Map Image panel.

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QuickTip: Assigning a 3D Object to be Visible on Multiple Layers

You can easily assign a selected object(s) to be visible on a certain layer by using the M-key while in the Object mode. The following dialog will appear:



Simply select the desired layer button and click OK. The object will then be moved to that layer.

However, what if you want to make an object visible on more than one layer?

Well, it's simple. With your object selected, press the M-key to display the Move Object dialog. Now, hold down the Shift-key while selecting all of the other layers where you want your object to visible, then click OK.



That's it! You can now view that object on multiple layers.

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How to Create a Layered Snowflake Pattern in Blender

Hey there, time for the first video tutorial of the new year!

This one is about creating a layered snowflake pattern. The Blender 2.4x video tutorial covers:

• Creating the snowflake pattern using simple poly-modeling techniques along with Blender's Mirror modifier and Spin tool
• Arranging the snowflakes using the Scatter and Drop script along with some manual tweaking
• Setting up render layers for compositing
• Using Blender's nodes to composite the render layers with added FX
• Adding colorful stars to the composited layers
• Adding a background image to the snowflake pattern

If you've never used Blender's Composite Nodes before, this tutorial will be a good place to get your feet wet with the basics!

Resource File (ZIP file) Includes:

• two Blender 2.4x blend files for the basic setup
  
• the Scatter and Drop script (created by Roland Hess) along with a link to instructions on how to install python scripts. Normally, I would provide a link to a python script like this, but I couldn't find a working link to the file so I just included it in the download.
• some additional sample renders of similar snowflake patterns
• a copy of the background image used in the tutorial

I hope you enjoy it!


Check out the video tutorial...

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