News: Blender Community Toolbar Review

Ira Krakow has done a nice review of the Blender Community Toolbar, along with sharing some kind words (although maybe a little embarrassing) about BlenderNewbies. I appreciate the effort and kind thoughts. Thanks!



Ira also has a blogsite featuring many Blender tutorials, so be sure to check out his site at http://blender3dvideos.blogspot.com/

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

News: Latest Blender Browser Toolbar Updates

Time for another Blender Browser Toolbar update!

View an overview of the latest Blender Toolbar changes.
(This link is always available in the sidebar to the right.)

If you're not seeing the new content, go to the dropdown configuration menu (click the little arrow button to the right of the Blender logo) and select the Refresh Toolbar item.

Note: I'll be doing regular unannounced updates in-between these announcements.

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

Gen3 Tree Script URL updated

It appears that the Gen3 tree script webpage no longer exists, so I'm providing another download link for the script.

• Download the Gen3 script (Unzip the contents into your Blender scripts subfolder)
• Tutorial: How to Use Basic Python Scripts in Blender
  

I've also updated the Gen3 tutorial post with the new links.

• Gen3 tutorial

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

News: Search for Blender Materials from within the Blender Toolbar

Hey,

I just added a new search tool to the Blender Browser Toolbar that will allow you to easily search for Blender Materials found at the Blender Open Material Repository!





The Blender Open Material Repository* is a great site where Blender users share custom Blender Materials. It's also a good resource to save time and learn more about how to create your own materials.

---

Learn more about Blender Materials and Textures.

*a link to the Blender Open Material Repository can be found in the Blender Toolbar under Extras -> Blender Materials.

technorati tags: Blender3D, 3D, graphics

News: Blender Browser Toolbar update

Time for another Blender Browser Toolbar update!

View an overview of the latest Blender Toolbar changes.
(This link is always available in the sidebar to the right.)

If you're not seeing the new content, go to the dropdown configuration menu (click the little arrow button to the right of the Blender logo) and select the Refresh Toolbar item.

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

Blender Browser Toolbar update

Time for another Blender Browser Toolbar update!

View an overview of the latest Blender Toolbar changes.
(This link is always available in the sidebar to the right.)

If you're not seeing the new content, go to the dropdown configuration menu (click the little arrow button to the right of the Blender logo) and select the Refresh Toolbar item.

For future updates, I'll have an RSS Feed setup in the Toolbar so users can get more "realtime" notices of changes.

Kernon

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

News: How to Use Blender If You're Physically Disabled

Sometimes, life can be pretty tough. But, that's no reason to give up and settle for less than your heart's desire! You might have to compromise a few things but, maybe you can find new ways to do old things.

If you're physically disabled, there's still the chance that you or a loved one can enjoy the fun and challenge of creating 3D graphics and animation. Here are a few ideas that may help you realize your goals:

• In addition to accessing Blender's features via the menus, you can add something like Dragon Naturally Speaking to voice any needed keystrokes.

Also, check out these affordable technologies:

• Head Mouse Controller (be sure to see the video that plays when the page is loaded. It's further down the page.)
• Natural Point review
• HeadMouse Extreme
• Head/Eye-controlled Input

Most of these devices and technologies cost less than mid-grade commercial 3D software. Plus, you have the benefit of opening up the entire computer experience, not just Blender. So, if 3D doesn't work out for you, there are plenty of other things out there to get involved in with your computer.

Good Luck.

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

News: The Blender Browser Toolbar

Hey,

I've been trying to think of ways to make it easier to find the Blender information you need. I believe I've come up with one way that will certainly make a difference. It's a browser toolbar that includes some features that definitely add some convenience and efficiency to your quest for Blender information.

I'm sure you've already noticed the link and I decided to create a video demonstration of the toolbar and its features. This tool is definitely a work-in-progress so, any comments or suggestions will be appreciated. One thing that I'm considering is using the toolbar's messaging features to broadcast Blender tips.

Anyway, I use the toolbar quite a bit as it saves me a lot of time while researching Blender-related info and I hope that you'll find it useful as well.

NOTE: I decided to change the toolbar's main logo and link to be Blender instead of BlenderNewbies. I think that has more of a community appeal than having my logo stamped on it.


Here's an 8-minute video demonstrating the original features of the toolbar. (New content is always being added).


You can use this link to go to the toolbar's installation page:

Be sure to check the BlenderNewbies Forums for a log of the Toolbar's content management.

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

Video: Gen3 Tree-Making Tool

This is a demo of the Gen3 tree-generating script. Gen3 is created by Sergey Prokhorchuk (a.k.a. Stager) and we have him to thank for creating such a great tool for Blender.

I've done a lot of research and have found quite a few tools for creating trees that are compatible with Blender. And, because I was able to find so many useful tools (I think I found something like 12 or 13), it's going to be difficult to create actual tutorials for each of them. There are so many things to consider when creating a tree and that usually translates to a lot of parameters in these types of applications. So, in order to cover them all in a reasonable amount of time, I've decided to present quick demonstrations, instead. The bonus aspect of this is that I'll share with you all of the treasures of information that I've collected in my search for these tools. This should save you quite a bit of time in getting up to speed with the applications.

This video covers:

• Introduction to Gen3
• The Basics of Using Gen3
• Speed Tips
• Creating/Trimming a Quick Shrub
  

Watch the tutorial online (SWF streaming, Length - 44:31)...

Gen3 Ratesheet:


Additional Resources:

• Download the Gen3 script (Unzip the contents into your Blender scripts subfolder)
• Tutorial: How to Use Basic Python Scripts in Blender
  
• PDF - Creation and Rendering of Realistic Trees
• Additional parameter details
• Blenderartists forum for discussing Gen3
  

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

Lightwave to Blender Keystroke Translator

Here's another little keystroke tool I created to help those more familiar with Lightwave. This tool will help you adjust to the keystroke differences between Lightwave and Blender.

I wouldn't call this a completed tool because, it currently only covers the basic keystrokes of Lightwave's Modeler. Over time, I will update this to include more Modeler keystrokes as well as the Layout and Graph Editor. If you see any errors or glaring omissions, please let me know (include the keystroke, context of usage, and a strong description of its function). This was particularly tough because I don't know Lightwave at all (I downloaded their Discovery Edition) and there were many terminology and function issues to wade through. But, it should be easy to maintain the tool now that I've gotten this far.

Enjoy!

Lightwave to Blender Keystroke Translator

technorati tags: Lightwave, 3D, graphics, keystroke, hotkeys

Maya to Blender Keystroke Translator

Here's a little something I created to help those more familiar with Maya. This tool will help you adjust to the keystroke differences between Maya and Blender.

Maya to Blender Keystroke Translator

technorati tags: Maya, 3D, graphics, keystroke, hotkeys