book

Blender 3D By Example

by Romain Caudron, Pierre-Armand Nicq

September 2015

Beginner

334 pages

7h 58m

English

Packt Publishing

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What this book covers

Downloading the color images of this bookErrataPiracyQuestions
An overview of the 3D workflowThe anatomy of a 3D sceneWhat can you do with Blender?
An introduction to the navigation of the 3D ViewportWhat are editors?The anatomy of an editorSplit, Join, and DetachSome useful layout presetsSetting up your preferencesAn introduction to the Preferences windowCustomizing the default navigation styleImproving Blender with add-ons
The Robot ToyThe Alien CharacterThe Haunted HouseThe Rat Cowboy
Let's start the modeling of our robot toyPreparing the workflow by adding an image referenceAdding the head primitiveThe Edit Mode versus the Object Mode
Modeling the headModeling the antennaAn introduction to the Subdivision Surface modifierImproving the head shapeModeling the thunderboltsModeling the eyesModeling the chestModeling the neckModeling the torsoModeling the buttonsModeling the forkModeling protections for the forkModeling the main wheelModeling the armUsing Blender Internal to render our Robot Toy
Understanding the sculpting process
Using a pen tabletThe sculpt modeOptimizing the viewport
Dyntopo versus the Multires modifierFirst touch with the Multires modifierFirst touch with Dyntopo
Visual preparation
Sculpting the bodyThe headThe torsoThe armsThe legsThe belt
Why make a retopology?Possibilities of arranging polygonsErrors to avoid during the creation of retopologyDensity of polygons
Preparing the environmentThe headThe neck and the torsoThe arms and the handsThe legs
The placement of the seamsThe placement and adjustment of the islandsThe baking of texturesThe baking of a normal mapWhat is a normal map?Making of the bakeDisplaying the normal map in the viewport
Understanding the ambient occlusion mapCreation of the bakeDisplaying the ambient occlusion in the viewport
Blocking the houseWorking with a scale
Adding instantiated objects
Simulate a stack of wooden planks with physics
Modeling the cliffModeling a tree with curvesEnhancing the scene with a barrier, rocks, and a cart
Grouping objectsWorking with layers
Unwrapping UVsUsing Project From ViewUnwrapping the rest of the houseThe tree with the Smart UV ProjectUnwrapping the rest of the environmentTiling UVsWhat is tiling for?The UV layers
Basics of the Texture Paint toolDiscovering the brushesThe TexDraw brushThe Smear brushThe Soften brushThe Clone brushThe Fill brushThe Mask brushThe Stroke optionDelimiting the zones of painting according to the geometryPainting directly on the texturePainting the sceneLaying down the colorsTiled texturesThe settings of our workspaceAdvice for a good tiled texturePainting the roof-tile textureQuick tips for other kinds of hand-painted tiled texturesBaking our tiled texturesWhy bake?How to do it?Creating transparent texturesThe grass textureThe grunge texture
Setting lightsPlacing the cameraSetting the environment (sky and mist)
Understanding the basic settings of CyclesThe samplingLight path settingsPerformances
Creating a testing materialUnderstanding the different types of lightLighting our scenePainting and using an Image Base Lighting
Creating the materials of the house, the rocks, and the treeAdding a mask for the windowsUsing procedural texturesMaking and applying normal maps in Cycles
Generating the grass with particlesCreating the grass shader
Cycles versus Blender InternalBaking the tree
An introduction to the rigging process
Placing the deforming bonesThe leg and the footThe arm and the handThe hipsThe tailThe head and the eyesMirroring the rigRigging the gunRigging the holsterAdding a root bone
The Weight Paint toolsManually assigning weight to verticesCorrecting the foot deformationCorrecting the belt deformation
What is a shape key?Creating basic shapesDriving a shape key
Principles of animationSquash and StretchAnticipationStagingStraight Ahead Action and Pose to PoseFollow Through and Overlapping ActionSlow In and Slow OutArcsSecondary ActionTimingExaggerationSolid drawingAppeal
The timelineWhat is a keyframe?The Dope SheetThe Graph editorThe Non-Linear Action editor
Writing a short scriptMaking a storyboardFinding the final camera placements and the timing through a layoutAnimation referencesOrganization
The walk cycleMixing actionsAnimation of a close shotAnimation of the gunshotAnimation of the trap
Creating advanced materials in CyclesSkin material with Subsurface ScatteringEye materialThe fur of the rat
Introduction to nodal compositingDepth PassAdding effectsCompositing rendering phase
Edit and render the final sequence

Overview

Blender 3D By Example guides you through creating stunning 3D models and scenes using Blender, an open-source 3D software. With four engaging projects, you'll explore new tools and techniques while learning by doing. By the end of this book, you'll have a strong grasp of Blender's workflow to confidently create your own 3D designs.

What this Book will help me do

Understand Blender's interface and navigation basics.
Model and sculpt 3D objects by working on projects such as robots and characters.
Learn advanced techniques like retopology and texture painting.
Master material creation, lighting setups, and rendering workflows.
Animate and rig characters for short film production.

Author(s)

None Caudron and Pierre-Armand Nicq are experienced 3D artists with a passion for teaching digital art creation. They bring their extensive knowledge of Blender and its capabilities to every chapter. Their approachable style ensures learners will feel supported and inspired throughout this practical guide.

Who is it for?

This book is perfect for aspiring 3D artists, hobbyists, and professionals looking to enhance their Blender skills. Whether you're new to Blender or seeking to refine your techniques, this guide fits your needs. If you aim to create professional-quality 3D scenes or animations, start here. No prior experience required, only a passion for creativity.