While Blender is a wonderful free and open source program for computer modeling and animation, there has been a lack of unified, up-to-date documentation for beginners. Removing the frustration from the learning process, The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics: Computer Modeling and Animation helps beginners understand the basics of computer animation using Blender. The author begins with a detailed explanation of the Blender graphical user interface (GUI) and its method of navigation. He covers basic mesh modeling on both the object and sub-object levels. At this point, the beginner 3D modeler can create a wide variety of models. The author moves on to materials, camera, lighting, and rendering, allowing the creation of more complete models and rendered images. He also includes a section on animation. This sequence provides a solid foundation for the more advanced topics discussed in later chapters. Alleviating the difficulties in learning Blender, this book provides thorough instruction on the basics of this 3D modeling and animation program. BlenderTM is a free Open Source 3D Computer Modeling and Animation Suite incorporating Character Rigging, Particles, Real World Physics Simulation, Sculpting, Video Editing with Motion Tracking and 2D Animation within the 3D Environment. Blender is FREE to download and use by anyone for anything. The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics: Computer Modeling and Animation, Sixth Edition is a unified manual describing the operation of the program with reference to the Graphical User Interface for Blender Version 2.82a . A reader of the Sixth Edition should use Blender 2.82a when learning the program and treat it as a training exercise before using any later versions Key Features: The book provides instruction for New Users starting at the very beginning. Instruction is presented in a series of chapters incorporating visual reference to the program's interface. The initial chapters are designed to instruct the user in the operation of the program while introducing and demonstrating interesting features of the program. Chapters are developed in a building block fashion providing forward and reverse reference to relevant material. The book is also available in a discounted set along with Blender 2D Animation: The Complete Guide to the Grease Pencil . "Blender is a 3D Computer Modeling and Animation program maintained by the Blender Foundation. The program is open source and can be downloaded and used, free of charge, from www.blender.org. Blender is a challenging program but it has limitless possibilities and will give you a wonderful understanding of computer animation. Due to the complexity of the subject, it is not possible to cover everything. This manual is designed for beginners to help with the very basics of computer animation using Blender. My approach has been to introducing the program through the Graphical User Interface by introduce the different features with reference to the interface and providing examples. Blender has many facets which allow the user to create and animate models and figures in scenes and finally compile feature movies. There is also the facility to interact with the models and create video games"-- Content: The Blender Interface. Navigate and Save. Create Edit Objects. Materials. Textures. World Settings. Lighting. Camera. Rendering. Raytracing. Animation Basics. 3D Text. Nurbs and Metashape. Modifiers. Particle System. Child Parent Relationship. Constraints. Armatures. Relative Shapes Keys. Fluid Simulation. Nodes. Game Engine. Video Sequence Editing. Appendix. Abstract: Helps novices learn Blender version 2.60+ and describes the basic operation of the interface and the majority of its functions including visual reference and examples of operations John M. Blain. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [385]-386).
