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The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

by John M. Blain

September 2023

Beginner to intermediate

454 pages

13h 29m

English

A K Peters/CRC Press

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Download Blender from: www.blender.orgInstallation on a Windows Operating SystemInstalling with the Installer(.msi) OptionInstalling with the ZIP OptionInstalling Blender on a Linux Operating SystemLinuxOpening (Running) the Program
AssumptionFormats Conventions and CommandsThe Graphical User Interface (GUI)Running Blender for the First TimeEditorsControls - Buttons, Icons and SlidersBook Work FlowRenderingRender Engines - GUI Versions in BlenderEevee RenderCycles RenderWorkbench RenderWorkspace2D Animation – Grease PencilSupplements to the BookSummary
The Interface1.1 Examining the Interface1.2 First Interaction1.3 Quit BlenderClose the ProgramSaving ChangesRestart the ProgramAlternative Close and RestartStart Over - Restart Without ClosingOpen a New File – Restart Without Closing1.4 Getting Help1.5 The Interface – Figure 1.11.6 Further ExaminationThe Default Blender Interface1.7 3D Viewport Work Modes1.8 Rotating in 3D SpaceRotating the Object (Cube)Rotating the 3D Space (Viewport)1.9 Other Objects1.10 Using the Outliner Editor1.11 Working in the 3D Viewport (Object Mode)1.12 Working in the 3D Viewport (Edit Mode)1.13 Adding Vertices by Subdivision1.14 The Last Operator Panel1.15 Using the Properties EditorWhy Color?1.16 Making a Plan - StoryboardCamera View1.18 Quick Effects1.19 Something to Burn1.20 Saving Work to Start OverThe Undo Command1.21 Lighting the Fire1.22 Smoke and Fire - Quick Effect1.23 Animating SuzannePlay the Animation1.24 Render1.25 Summary

Editors – Workspaces - Themes2.1 Editor Types2.2 Resizing Editors2.3 Splitting Editors2.4 Cancel an Editor2.5 3D Viewport FeaturesUncluttering the Scene2.6 Scene ManipulationMoving in 3D SpaceUser Perspective and Orthographic ViewRender Demonstration2.7 Scene Manipulation Widget (another way to Navigate)2.8 Multiple Scenes2.9 Headers Menus and Panels2.10 Headers and Panels2.11 The Blender Interface Header2.12 The Blender Screen Header2.13 The 3D Viewport Header2.14 The Widget Panel (See 2.7)2.15 The Tool Panel and Object Properties Panel2.16 Properties Editor Tabs2.17 The Preferences Editor2.18 3D Viewport Editor - Background Color2.19 Workspaces2.20 Creating New WorkspacesRenaming WorkspacesSaving a Workspace2.21 ThemesInstalling New ThemesCreating New Themes2.22 Saving a Theme
Saving WorkNavigation3.1 Files and FoldersDefinition (from the internet)File Extensions3.2 Saving a File3.3 Windows File Explorer3.4 Windows File Explorer Diagram3.5 Blender File Browser3.6 Opening Files3.7 File Browser Header Features3.9 Display Options3.10 Saving Your Work3.11 The Concept of Files3.12 The Append or Link Command3.13 Importing Objects3.14 Activating Import File Types3.15 Packing Data
4.1 Workflow Philosophy4.2 Starting a New File4.3 Modifying the Scene4.4 Object Mode and Edit Mode4.5 3D Viewport Cursor4.6 Selecting and Deselecting ObjectsB Key (Box) SelectionSelect Box ToolC Key (Circle) Selection4.7 Adding Objects4.8 Object Primitives4.9 Locating the 3D Viewport Editor CursorThe Cursor Pie Menu (Snap Tool)4.10 Deleting Objects4.11 Duplicating Objects4.12 Object Mode Manipulation4.13 The Last Operator Panel4.14 Tool Panel – Widgets Expand the Tool Panel to display the Tool Names (Figure 2.7). 4.14 Tool Panel – Widgets4.15 Manipulation Units4.16 Measuring Ruler / Protractor4.17 Precision Manipulation4.18 Camera View4.19 Other Types of Objects4.20 Naming Objects4.21 The Header Button MenusJoin (Ctrl + J Key)Smooth and Flat Shading4.22 Meta Shapes4.23 Coloring Objects
Editing Objects5.1 The Mesh Object5.2 Edit Mode SelectingSelection Options5.3 Selecting Vertices, Edges and Face5.4 Manipulating Selected Vertices, Edges and FacesExamples of Translation (Move), Scale and Rotation5.5 Creating Vertices by SubdivisionAlternative Subdivision Method5.6 Adding and Deleting Vertices, Edges, or FacesAdding Faces – User Perspective View5.7 Center Points5.8 Joining and SeparatingJoining in Object ModeJoining in Edit ModeSeparating in Edit ModeThe Separate Menu Options5.9 Creating Vertex GroupsWeigh Paint Method5.10 Proportional Vertex EditingCircle of Influence5.11 Inset Faces5.12 Parenting
Editing Tools6.1 The Edit Mode Tool Panel6.2 The Add Menu6.3 Last Operator Panels6.4 Extrusion6.5 The Extrude Region Tool6.6 Inset Faces Figure 6.76.7 The Inset Faces Tool6.8 The Bevel Tool6.9 Edge and Loop Selection6.10 Loop Cut ToolOffset Edge Loop Cut6.11 The Knife Tool6.12 The Poly Build Tool6.13 The Spin Tool6.14 Creating a Spin Profile6.15 Spin Duplication6.16 The Screw Tool6.17 The Smooth and Randomize Tools6.18 The Edge Slide And Vertex Slide Tool6.19 The Shrink Fatten Tool6.20 The Shear Tool6.21 The Rip Region Tool
7.1 Modifiers in GeneralAdding and Applying Modifiers7.2 The Modifier Stack7.3 The Modify Group7.4 The Generate GroupMirror Modifier7.5 The Deform GroupCast Modifier - ExampleDisplace Modifier - Example7.6 The Physics GroupWave Surface Displacement – Using the Dynamic Paint Modifier
Introduction8.1 Proportional EditingCook Book Instructions8.2 Dupliverts8.3 Modeling Exercise – Aircraft8.4 Sculpting8.5 Sculpting Demonstration (Basic)8.6 Creating a Humanoid Figure
9.1 Material Definition9.2 Materials in PracticeViewport ShadingThe Material Node SystemColoring an ObjectApplying a Material9.3 Materials and the Shader Editor9.4 Adding Material PropertiesAdding Material Properties9.5 Alternative Material Assignment9.6 Multiple Material Datablocks9.7 The Material SlotAdding Material Slots9.8 The Color PickerIn practice, a Material (color) is selected in the Color Picker Circle.9.9 Material Display9.10 Lighting Affects on Materials9.11 Materials using Nodes9.12 A Simple Node Arrangement9.13 Accessing and Viewing Node Effects9.14 Noodle Curving9.15 The Shader Editor9.17 Adding Nodes9.18 The Shading Workspace9.19 Scene Arrangements9.20 Mixing Material Example9.21 The Principled BSDF Node9.22 The Color Ramp NodeAdd a New Color StopApply the Color Gradient9.23 Saving Screen Space9.24 Vertex PaintAdding Vertices - Surface PreparationVertex Paint ModePaintingApplying a Base Color – Vertex Paint ModePainting Detail on the MaskPainting More DetailBrush ControlsViewing your ArtworkAttributes – The Painting ConceptAdditional AttributesUsing the Attributes
10.1 Procedural Texture10.2 Adding Texture NodesAn example of a Texture Node System10.3 Image as a TextureApplying an Image Texture10.4 Texture Mapping10.5 Unwrapping Options10.6 PBR TexturesPBR Texturing Node ConfigurationNode Wrangler10.7 Texture Properties – Properties EditorTexture Channel Library10.8 Texture PaintingPainting with a TextureBlending Material Color with Texture10.9 Texture DisplacementColoring using TextureDisplacement using Texture
11.1 Compositing NodesCompositing WorkspaceRevised WorkspaceImage saved on your computerThe Scene – 3D Viewport EditorCompositing11.2 Texture Nodes11.3 The Geometry Node EditorStarting the Node Pipeline (Tree)11.4 Transparency11.5 Volumetric Lighting
Introduction12.1 Scene Lighting12.2 Light TypeAdding LightsScene ArrangementMaterialsLighting EffectsAdditional Light Added12.3 Cameras12.4 Camera SettingsSafe Area Tab: (Figure 12.16)Background Image Tab (Figure 12.17)Viewport Display Tab (Figure 12.18)12.5 Camera Switching12.6 Camera Tracking17.7 Basic Lighting Arrangement12.8 Background Scene LightingBackground Color Lighting12.9 Images as a BackgroundHDRI MapsImages for Tracing and as Scene BackgroundsImages for TracingImage as a Scene Background12.10 Volumetric Lighting
Viewport Shading13.1 Viewport Shading Options13.2 Wireframe Viewport Shading13.3 Solid Viewport Shading13.4 Color Display Options (Figure 13.13)Material Color Display (Figure 13.14)Random Color Display (Figure 13.16)Texture Color Display (Figure 13.17)Vertex Color Display13.5 Background DisplaysThemeWorld (see 13.9 World Settings)Viewport13.6 More Solid Viewport ShadingX-Ray:13.7 Rendered Viewport Shading13.8 Material Preview Shading13.9 World Settings13.10 Simplified Viewport Shading
14.1 Rendering with Eevee14.2 Output Properties14.3 The Format TabResolutionPercentageAspect (Aspect Ratio)Frame Start – End – Step (Frame Range)14.4 The Output Tab14.5 Rendering a JPEG Image14.6 Rendering an Animation14.7 Rendering a Movie File14.8 Video Playback14.9 Video Codecs14.10 Making a Movie
15.1 Animation in the 3D Viewport15.2 Movement in the 3D View Editor15.3 Planning the Animation15.4 Keyframes Time and Interpolation15.5 Animation Speed and Length15.6 Repositioning the Timeline Cursor15.7 Inserting Keyframes15.8 Scrubbing the Animation15.9 Playing the Animation15.10 Adding Keyframes15.11 Automatic Keyframing15.12 Controlling the Animations15.13 The Dope Sheet Editor15.14 The Graph Editor15.15 Graph Editor Components and Commands15.16 Selecting the Curve in the Graph Editor15.17 Rotation – Euler Rotation.15.18 The Graph Editor Cursor15.19 Editing the Curve in the Graph Editor15.20 Editing the Curve in the Dope Sheet Timeline15.21 Scaling in the Dope Sheet15.22 Other Types of CurvesExtrapolation15.23 The Curve Properties Panel15.24 Animating RotationRotation ProcedureLinear ExtrapolationSpeed of Rotation15.25 Rotation Using F-Curves15.26 Animating Other FeaturesMaterial (color) AnimationSpotlight Size Animation15.27 Keying Sets20.28 Animation Follow Path15.29 Evaluation Time15.30 Keyframing15.31 Displacement Sound Animations15.32 Sound Effect and Cast ModifierSet up the 3D View EditorAutomatically Insert Keyframes15.33 The Animation WorkspaceThe Animation Workspace
16.1 Single Bone Armature16.2 Adding Armatures16.3 Adding BonesAdding by Extrusion (Figure 16.7)Adding by Subdivision (Figure 16.8)Adding by Duplication (Figure 16.9)Extruding and Subdividing16.4 The Armature RigRotating the Armature and Bones16.5 Multiple Armatures16.6 Child Parent Relationship16.7 Armature Display Types16.8 Building an Armature RigObtaining the ModelRig ConstructionCreating the SpineNaming the BonesCreating Arms and HandsCreating Legs and FeetAligning BonesFoot and Hand Bones16.9 The Extrude Tool16.10 Deforming a MeshParenting16.11 Parenting with The Armature Modifier16.12 Assigning Vertices – Vertex Groups16.13 Assigning Vertices – Set Parent To Menu16.14 Assigning Vertices – Weight Paint16.15 Inverse Kinematics Constraint16.16 Spline IK Constraint16.17 Forward16.18 Character RiggingDownload a Character ModelPrepare the Character ModelAdd More VerticesSome DefinitionsCreating the Armature (Root Bone)Adding More BonesCreating Arm BonesCreating Leg BonesThe Rig so Far16.19 Bone Naming16.20 Assigning the MeshAssigning Mesh to Armature16.21 Vertex Groups16.22 Posing the Character Model16.23 Pre-Assembled Armatures
Introduction to 3D Text17.1 Creating 3D Text in BlenderConcept – Text in Blender17.2 The Object Data Properties “a”17.3 Fonts17.4 Creating Text on a Curve17.5 Converting Text to a Mesh Object17.6 Converting Text to a Curve17.7 Entering External Font
18.1 Making a Movie18.2 Storyboard18.3 The Video Files18.4 The Sound File18.5 Video Editing WorkspaceVSE Editors and PanelsFile Browser18.6 File Browser Editor18.7 PreparationSet the File Path for SavingSet the Video Format18.8 Video Sequence EditorPlacing Files in the VSEViewing the Video FileSelecting in the VSETimeline Graduations / PositionsErasing (Deleting) a FileThe Add ButtonAdding Video FilesPlaying the Video FileCutting Video StripsAdding Sound Files18.9 Rendering the Movie File18.10 Additional FeaturesExample 1: No Features AppliedExample 2: Add Coler FeatureExample 4: Inserting Text Captions
The Outliner EditorCollections19.1 Collections in The Outliner EditorAdding ObjectsAdding CollectionsDeleting CollectionsDeleting ObjectsHiding and Restricting Object Display and Selection19.2 View Options in the Outliner Editor

Content preview from The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

7 Editing with Modifiers

Modifiers, in Blender, are pre-assembled code that apply a process or algorithm to an Object, changing the Object's properties and affecting the way the Object behaves or how it is displayed. Modifiers may, therefore, be considered as Editing Tools.

The Modifiers are designed to automate some of the otherwise tedious processes involved in shaping Objects and controlling their behaviour. Some Modifiers can only be used in conjunction with other processes.

The following chapters are offered as a guide. You will be shown how a Modifier is added to an Object and provided with examples ...

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The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781000946857

The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

by John M. Blain

7 Editing with Modifiers

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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