News: BlenderNewbies is not dead, and DVD orders are still being processed.

I just wanted to do a quick post to let everyone know that the site, despite appearances, is not abandoned. I'm still processing the huge amount of pre-orders received (thank you!) and haven't had time to create any new tutorials.

I'm also reviewing a new Blender animation book, in-between order fulfillments, that I'll eventually post on the blog. My main focus is on getting the Training DVD orders fulfilled, though.

It will be great to get back on schedule! BTW, when things get back to normal, I plan to do a bit of a "reboot" of the site to clean out the Blender 2.4x content.

Thanks for understanding!

(I've disabled the comments for this post since I won't have time to respond and it will help to keep my email Inbox under control.)

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: BlenderNewbies Blender 2.5 Training DVDs (Final Update)

This is the final update for the training dvd. The next notice will be the official release, in about two weeks.

It turns out that the final product is now FOUR DVD-Rs! Originally, this was supposed to be two dvds, but I found it difficult to stay within that limitation. I tried, but ultimately decided it would be simpler to not fight it.

The original price for the two dvds was $35, but I will have to increase the price to $50 for the four dvds. However, this doesn't effect those that have pre-ordered the dvds. And, I think it's only fair to continue offering the training at the original $35 price for a two-week grace period for those that have been waiting for the official release to purchase.

So, if you're interested in purchasing the training dvds, you can still get them for $35 plus postage and handling (a steal) until May 13th! After May 13, 2011, the price will be $50 (plus postage and handling).

You can get more info about the training, here. This page is the original announcement and the graphics could use some updating, but I plan to get to that over the next two weeks.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Blender 2.57a (stable) is available for Download

This release is a bugfix for the v2.57 release. Lots of issues addressed!

You can find the downloads, here...

Here's the changelog for this release...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Blender 2.57 (stable) is available for Download

Blender 2.57 (Stable) is available for downloading from the Blender Foundation!

You can find download links, here...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: BlenderArt Mag Issue #32 is Available

From BlenderArt Magazine:

In this issue we are going to explore some nice “Springy” topics like plants and trees. Nice warm growing things that make us think warm thoughts and forget all about being cold and snowed in.

Table of Contents:

• Making 2D environments for the iPhone game Spires
• A videogame in few logic bricks
• Modeling an iPhone 4 with Modifiers
• Creating Plants Using Arrays
• CanTree – Online Tree Generator
• Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook

And Lot More…

So grab your copy today...

Also be sure to check out our gallery of wonderful images submitted by very talented members of our community.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Download 130 Free 3D Trees and Plants from Xfrog

Xfrog is providing free sample downloads of 3d trees and plants from its XfrogPlants collection!

You can import them into Blender using the OBJ format.

Check it out...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: The HD Version of Sintel is Available for Download

Ton Roosendaal has made available an HD .AVI file (H264 and stereo wav sound). Also available are HD PNG files and a lossless 5.1 master of the sound. Very cool!

Check it out at the Sintel blog...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Developer's Overview of Blender's Importers and Exporters

By Nathan Letwory (aka jesterking):

Blender is being used a lot as part of a pipeline, thus having a great need for import and export of various formats. In this article I list what formats used to be supported in Blender 2.4x series and how well these did their jobs, and then compare them to the current status.

Read the article on the Blender Developer Blog...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Errata for BlenderArt Mag (Issue #31)

Some layout errors have been found in the "World of Rotations" article that may cause some confusion.

From BlenderArt.org

Seems some rather nasty booboos slid past layout proofing. Pep Ribal’s article on Rotations has some confusing layout errors that make the whole article rather confusing, to say the least. We will get that fixed and re-uploaded as quickly as possible. In the meantime, here is a list of the errors and their locations so that you can continue on until we get the new version fixed up and released.

p.12 – first paragraph is repeated
p.14 – paragraphs 2,3,4,5 and 6 are repeated
p.14 – last paragraph mentions ‘2x’ twice, when it should be ‘2′ and the symbol for ‘pi’ (very confusing).
p.15 – in the formula, squares are not formatted as such.
p.16 – same thing.
p.16 – the table is unreadable
p.17 – again ‘2x’ mentioned
p.17 – just before the ‘Gimbals and locks’ section, a total of 6 paragraphs are dropped out, and they are appended at the end of the ‘Summary’ section, which makes the reading really confusing.
All text – The character ‘pi’ is replaced by question marks in the whole text

Sorry for the confusion this causes, we will get it fixed as soon as possible.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: BlenderArt Mag Issue #31 is Available

From BlenderArt Magazine:

Blender provides an excellent tool set for producing simulations, visualizations and walk-throughs, as well as educational videos based on the various research projects. In this issue we take a look at some of the exciting ways that Blender is being used for research and education.

Table of Contents:

• Physics of Circular Motion
• A World of Rotations
• BioBlender: Blender for Biologists
• Educational Science and Engineering videos
• Computer Sim. and Modeling of Liquid Droplets
• The Transporters
• Microorganismal Worlds
• and more!

So grab your copy today...

Also be sure to check out our gallery of wonderful images submitted by very talented members of our community.

Reminder: Submissions for issue #32 are due by February 5th, 2011.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Development of the Blender 2.5 Installer

As with most everything in Blender, improvements and tweaks are being considered for its installation program (Windows OS).



Developers are asking for feedback, ideas, and possible solutions...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

Resource: Animation Insiders Ebook

I'll get straight to the point...This is gold. It's free. Get it. Read it.

NOTE: Link updated.



I haven't had time to really dig into this, yet. But, scanning through it, it's easy to see that it's definitely something to completely absorb. It's an incredible knowledge resource for animators at any level of experience, from some of the industry's leading animators.

More info...

What is Animation Insiders?

Animation Insiders is a book dedicated to animation. AI book #1 is a compilation of know-how, experience and anecdotes from 13 talented animators. Animation Insiders is aimed at people who are passionate about animation, those who are looking to surpass their limits and acquire new techniques. Every book of this amazing series will explores a new theme.

Excerpts from the Introduction and Conclusion

Animation Insiders offer a new approach by compiling the various work
methods of many different artists. In the industry, this is what we call
“gold.” Back in the old days, many artists in the field of special effects
and animation did not want to give away their secrets. At Disney, the
nine old men did not pass on their knowledge and expertise until the
end of their careers. Fortunately, this philosophy has changed and
education has become more open and shared.

This book allows you to peer into the artistic approaches
of professionals, so that you can gain some insight into the way
they go about solving specific problems.

From its very inception, this book was to be dedicated to animation
in general, workflow in particular. We gave different artists the opportunity
to introduce themselves in their own words and to unveil the
“Shaman,” as acting coach Ed Hooks calls it, behind their magic.
In all the various animation topics, workflow seems to be the only one
that is ever redefining itself. Animation Insiders is, therefore, a platform
for talented animators to share their thoughts, experiences and workflow
tips.

The best animators use every resource to enhance their work.
I trust this book will be one of many in your arsenal that enable you to
push your work to the next level.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Blender 2.56 Beta is Officially Released

The Blender Foundation and online developer community is proud to present Blender 2.56 Beta. This release is the fourth official beta release of the Blender 2.5 series, representing the culmination of many years of redesign and development work.

This version is called a "Beta" because it's now for the most part feature complete. The Python API has had some extensive changes, most notably in naming conventions and in creation and access of properties.

Since Blender 2.55 beta over 440 bugs were fixed!

IMPORTANT: Between 2.53 and 2.56 an extensive renaming operation has changed the scripting API a lot, with repercussions also for loading 2.53 .blends with animation into 2.56. Make sure you try the FCurve/Driver 2.54 fix entry from the Help menu.

Get Blender 2.56 Beta...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: BlenderNewbies Blender 2.5 Training DVDs Update

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Things are coming along with the completion of the DVDs. I suffered a few setbacks that caused some delays, but things are back on track.

The pre-order discount will end on Thursday, December 23rd.

For the Pre-Order customers only, I'm providing download links for groups of the video tutorials from the DVDs, starting near the "beginning" of the tutorial content (QuickStart section). So, you can begin receiving tutorials as soon as possible (within 24 hours).

I'll be providing new links to the DVD content about every other day until the actual DVDs are ready for shipping.

Each link in the group will be to single videos so you won't have to download huge files.

The interface, for the content linked to, isn't the same as the final DVD interface, but the videos are the same. This saves me some time in getting them setup. Videos like the QuickStart tutorials are at a resolution of 800x450, while the more involved tutorials are at 1280x720. However, the smaller videos have zoom effects to make it easier to see the key areas of focus. This approach has allowed me to pack more content onto the DVDs.

Thanks, everyone, for the patience! And, I look forward to finishing this project as soon as possible.


Kernon

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: All Blender Foundation Recordings from Blender Conference 2010

From the tonroosendaal twitter:

All main theatre recordings from Blender Conference are now online. Thanks to Jaap Harders for adding/editing saturday!

Blender Conference 2010 videos (brought to you by the Blender Foundation)...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Blender 2.5 Animesh Addon Test

Simple test animating the vertices of a uvsphere. Some object Location and Rotation keys were added to the keyed vertices. This was a no-Hook and no-ShapeKey experience, and very fast to achieve!

Thanks to Daniel Salazar (aka ZanQdo) and Campbell Barton (aka ideasman42).

The python script can be found at:
BlenderArtists Forum Thread...

To test:

• Use a recent build from graphicall.org
• Go to the script link provided, and save the page as a python file. (In Firefox, File, Save As...)
• In the Blender Addons panel, click Install Addon, and locate the python file.
• The installed Addon will be under Animation. Enable it via the checkbox.

'location': 'Select a Mesh: Toolbar > AniMesh panel',
'description': 'Allows animation of mesh data (Verts, VCols, VGroups, UVs)',
'warning': 'Blender API has some bugs around this still',

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Demo of RotoBezier Addon in Blender 2.5

This is a very interesting development for visual effects in Blender. It's an addon for roto masking that's available in the latest SVN builds. It's so simple you really don't need a tutorial for it. The demo video below demonstrates it quite well.

Check the latest builds at graphicall.org for builds that include this feature.

ZanQdo says:

Showing of a quick roto mask right inside Blender with my new RotoBezier addon. Thanks to Campbell Barton for all the API features and fixes needed for this :)

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: BlenderArt Mag Issue #30 is Available

Stories are easier to tell in animation form than in just a single image. But even though they are easier to tell, they require an enormous amount of work, planning and dedication on the part of the storyteller. In Issue 30 we take a look at some techniques and tips to tell great stories.

So grab your copy today.
Also be sure to check out our gallery of wonderful images submitted by very talented members of our community.

Table of Contents:

* 7 Elements of Digital Storytelling
* Does Your Character Have Any Feelings
* The Parent Inverse and the Origin of Children
* Rule of Thirds
* The Importance Of Body Language

And Lot More…

Click the magazine to view it full screen.

You can find download links for the PDF at the BlenderArt website...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Download Blender Conference 2010 Resources (Papers, Presentations, Videos)

This is the list of confirmed speakers and presenters on the 2010 Blender Conference. If a title has a link, it provides a link to the paper, a download or website of speaker.

Some of the resources are not available, yet. But, they seem to be getting added as they become available.

Download the resources...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials

News: Blender 2.55 Beta Officially Released (with Bug Fix List)

Well, it's been officially released, and there's quite a long Bug Fix list included.



Official Blender 2.55 Beta Release...
Bug Fix List...

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics, Blender tutorials