Blender For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1

Discovering Blender

In This Chapter

• Figuring out what Blender is and what it's used for
• Understanding how the current version of Blender is influenced by its past
• Getting familiar with the Blender interface

In the world of 3D modeling and animation software, programs are usually expensive — like, thousands-of-dollars-and-maybe-an-arm expensive. And there are some valid reasons for that cost. Software companies spend millions of dollars and countless hours developing these programs. And the large production companies that buy these programs for their staff make enough money to afford the high cost, or they hire programmers and write their own in-house software.

But what about you and me, the little guys? We are the ambitious dreamers with big ideas, high motivation … and tight budgets. How can we bring our ideas to life and our stories to screen, even if only on our own computer monitors? Granted, we could shell out the cash (and hopefully keep our arms) for the expensive programs that the pros use. But even then, animation is a highly collaborative art, and it's difficult to produce anything in a reasonable amount of time without some help.

We need quality software and a strong community to work, grow, and evolve with. Fortunately, Blender can provide us with both of these things. This chapter is an introduction to Blender, its background, and its interface.