The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition

by John M. Blain
Released September 2023
Publisher(s): A K Peters/CRC Press
ISBN: 9781000952339

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Book description

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, Eighth Edition

is a unified manual describing the operation of the program, updated with reference to the Graphical User Interface for Blender Version　3.2.2, including additional material covering Blender Assets, Geometry Nodes, and Non-Linear Animation.

Divided into a two-volume set, the book introduces the program’s Graphical User Interface and shows how to implement tools for modeling and animating characters and created scenes with the application of color, texture, and special lighting effects.

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.

Both volumes are available in a discounted set, which can also be purchased together with Blender 2D Animation: The Complete Guide to the Grease Pencil.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Half Title Page
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Contents
  6. Introduction
    1. Program Evolution
    2. Previous Versions of Blender
    3. Installation
    4. Blender Features
  7. The Author
  8. Preamble
    1. Formats Conventions and Commands
    2. The Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    3. Editors
    4. Controls - Buttons, Icons and Sliders
  9. 1 Objects in the 3D View Editor
    1. 1.1 Object Primitives
    2. 1.2 Additional Objects
      1. Surface - Nurbs Torus
      2. Surface - Nurbs Cylinder
    3. 1.3 The Add Cube Tool
    4. 1.4 Objects from Add-ons
      1. Add Mesh: Default
      2. Add Mesh: BoltFactory
      3. Add Mesh: Discombobulator
    5. 1.5 Blender Assets
      1. The Assets Browser
    6. 1.6 The Assets Library
      1. Adding Assets to the Library
      2. Assets Packs
    7. 1.7 BlenderKit
  10. 2 Editing & Add-Ons
    1. 2.1 Object Mode and Edit Mode
    2. 2.2 Object Mode Tool Panel
    3. 2.3 Edit Mode Tool Panel
    4. 2.4 Add-ons for Editing
      1. Add-on Add Mesh Extra Object
      2. Add-on Mesh: Edit Mesh Tools
      3. Object Properties Panel
      4. Add-on Object : Cell Fracture
  11. 3 Editing with Generate Modifiers
    1. 3.1 Accessing Modifiers
    2. 3.2 The Modifier Selection Menu
    3. 3.3 Modifiers – Generate
    4. 3.4 The Bevel Modifier
    5. 3.5 Array Modifier
    6. 3.6 Boolean Modifier
    7. 3.7 Build Modifier
    8. 3.8 Decimate Modifier
    9. 3.9 Edge Split Modifier
      1. Edge Split – Vertex
      2. Edge Split - Edge
      3. Edge Split - Face
    10. 3.10 Mask Modifier
    11. 3.11 Mirror Modifier
    12. 3.12 Multiresolution Modifier
    13. 3.13 Remesh Modifier
    14. 3.14 Screw Modifier
    15. 3.15 Skin Modifier
    16. 3.16 Solidify Modifier
    17. 3.17 Subdivision Surface Modifier
    18. 3.18 Triangulation and Weld Modifier
    19. 3.19 Wireframe Modifier
  12. 4 Editing with Deform Modifiers
    1. 4.1 Modifiers for Editing - Deform
    2. 4.2 Armature Modifier
    3. 4.3 Cast Modifier
    4. 4.4 Corrective Smooth Modifier
    5. 4.5 Curve Modifier
    6. 4.6 Displace Modifier
    7. 4.7 Hook Modifier
      1. Alternative Add Hook Method
    8. 4.8 Laplacian Deform Modifier
    9. 4.9 Lattice Modifier
    10. 4.10 Mesh Deform Modifier
    11. 4.11 Shrinkwrap Modifier
    12. 4.12 Simple Deform Modifier
    13. 4.13 Smooth Modifier
    14. 4.14 Smooth Corrective Modifier
    15. 4.15 Smooth Laplacian Modifier
    16. 4.16 Surface Deform Modifier
    17. 4.17 Warp Modifier
    18. 4.18 Wave Modifier
  13. 5 Editing Using Curves
    1. Introduction
    2. 5.1 Curves Circles and Paths
    3. 5.2 Bezier Curve
    4. 5.3 Bezier Circle
    5. 5.4 Nurbs Path
    6. 5.5 Nurbs Circle
    7. 5.6 Modeling from a Curve
    8. 5.7 Closed Loops
    9. 5.8 Using Nurbs Curves
    10. 5.9 Nurbs Circle
    11. 5.10 Nurbs Curve
    12. 5.11 Lofting
  14. 6 Material Assignment
    1. Facts and Definitions
    2. 6.1 Material Assignment
    3. 6.2 Viewport Shading Modes
    4. 6.3 Material Properties
    5. 6.4 Material Node System
    6. 6.5 Material Properties Expanded
    7. 6.6 Properties Assignment Components
    8. 6.7 Adding Materials (Datablocks)
    9. 6.8 Multiple Datablock Assignment
    10. 6.9 Material Nodes
  15. 7 Constraints
    1. 7.1 Introduction to Constraints
    2. 7.2 Track to Constraint
    3. 7.3 Constraint Stack
    4. 7.4 Transform Constraints List
    5. 7.5 The Transformation Constraint
    6. 7.6 Tracking Constraints
    7. 7.7 Relationship Constraints
    8. 7.8 The Action Constraint
    9. 7.9 The Shrinkwrap Constraint
    10. 7.10 Follow Path – Extrude/Bevel
  16. 8 Shape Keys & Action Editors
    1. 8.1 Shape Key Editor
      1. Add a Basis Key
    2. 8.2 Set Limits of Movement
    3. 8.3 Inserting Keyframes
      1. Inserting a Second Keyframe
      2. Deleting a Keyframe
      3. Add a New Keyframe
    4. 8.4 The Animation
    5. 8.5 Additional Keys
    6. 8.6 Action Editor
    7. 8.7 Shape Keys and Action Editor in Practice
  17. 9 Particle Systems
    1. 9.1 The Default Particle System
    2. 9.2 The Emissions Tab (Figure 9.9)
    3. 9.3 The Emission Source Tab
    4. 9.4 The Cache Tab
    5. 9.5 The Velocity Tab
      1. Understanding Tangent Phase
      2. Emit From Vertices
    6. 9.6 Particle Display
    7. 9.7 Particle Emission Options
    8. 9.8 Particle Emission
    9. 9.9 Normals
    10. 9.10 Particle Modifiers
      1. Particle System Modifier
      2. Particle Instance Modifier
    11. 9.11 Particles Array
    12. 9.12 The Viewport Display Tab
    13. 9.13 Particle Interaction
    14. 9.14 Force Effects
    15. 9.15 Boids Particles
      1. Example 2: Directing Movement
    16. 9.16 Hair Particles
      1. Adding Hair to a Character
      2. Adding a Beard
      3. Create a New Vertex Group
      4. Create a New Particle System
      5. Hair Color
      6. Create Material Datablocks
      7. Assign Material Datablocks to Vertex Groups
    17. 9.17 Particles for Arrays
      1. Animate the Plane to Rotate
      2. Add a Particle System
    18. 9.18 More Arrays
    19. 9.19 The Assignment Panel
    20. 9.20 Particle Exercises
    21. 9.21 Multiple Particle Systems
    22. 9.22 Keyed Particles
  18. 10 Physics and Simulation
    1. 10.1 Applying and Cancelling Physics
    2. 10.2 Real World Physics
      1. Rigid Body and Particles
    3. 10.3 Force Field
    4. 10.4 Collision Physics
    5. 10.5 Cloth Physics
      1. Physics Cloth Properties
      2. Cloth Interactior
    6. 10.6 Soft Body Physics
    7. 10.7 Fluid Simulation
      1. The Concept in Blender
      2. Fluid Flow
      3. Simulation Controls
      4. Fluid Emitter Controls
      5. Flow Behaviour
      6. Domain Object Controls
      7. Playing the Animation
      8. Particles
      9. Animation Length
      10. Memory Computer Power and Baking
      11. Cache File Path
      12. Baking Controls
      13. Fluid Simulation Framework
      14. Baking in Practice
      15. Bake All
      16. Bake Modular
      17. Rebaking with Cache Type: Bake Al
      18. Rebaking with Cache Type: Modular
      19. Adding Spray Foam Bubbles
      20. Instance Object
      21. Summary
    8. 10.8 Quick Methods
    9. 10.9 Fluid Simulation Continued
      1. Filling a Cup
      2. Domain Object Setup
      3. Generator Object Setup
      4. Obstacle Object Setup
      5. Scale and Proportion
      6. Viscosity
    10. 10.10 Fluid Simulation Experiment (The experiment will show Fluid filling a Bowl.)
      1. Modeling a Bowl
      2. Ball Dropping into a Cup
      3. Arrangement
    11. 10.11 Smoke and Fire Simulation
      1. Smoke and Fire from Scratch
      2. Scene Setup
      3. World Background
      4. Lighting
      5. Scene Setup
      6. Play the Animation
      7. Viewport Display
      8. Fire Simulation
      9. Fire Plus Smoke
      10. Domain Bounds
  19. 11 Dynamic Paint
    1. Introduction
    2. 11.1 Dynamic Paint - Painting
      1. Brush Configuration
      2. Viewport Shading Settings
      3. Canvas Configuration
      4. Brush Paint Source Options
      5. Tricks of the Trade
  20. 12 Geometry Nodes
    1. Assumptions
    2. 12.1 Geometry Node Workspace
      1. A Simple Shader Node Arrangement.
    3. 12.2 The Geometry Node Pipeline
      1. Starting a Pipeline
      2. How Does the Pipeline Work?
    4. 12.3 Arranging Nodes
      1. Minimising Node Display
      2. Grouping Nodes
    5. 12.4 Multiple Pipelines
    6. 12.5 The Geometry Node Modifier
    7. 12.6 Spread Sheet Editor
      1. Spread Sheet Editor
    8. 12.7 Node Selection Menu
    9. 12.8 Editing Shapes
    10. 12.9 Procedural Mesh Objects
      1. Non Procedural Objects
      2. Procedural Objects
    11. 12.10 Naming and Color Coding
    12. 12.11 Arranging Objects
    13. 12.12 Subdivision Surface Node
    14. 12.13 Add Convex Hull
      1. Wireframe Display
    15. 12.14 Materials (Color) for Geometry Nodes
      1. Applying the Material
    16. 12.15 Instance Objects
    17. 12.16 Bloom - Object Glow
    18. 12.17 Spiral
    19. 12.18 Point Cloud and Fields
      1. Point Cloud
      2. Fields
    20. 12.19 Creating a Landscape
      1. Creating a Ground Plane
      2. Appending Objects
      3. Note: The Scale Values
    21. 12.20 The Assets Library
      1. Creating the Assets Library
      2. Foliage_Models
    22. 12.21 Animation
    23. 12.22 Maths
      1. Simple Node Value Rule
      2. Sockets and Noodle Colors
      3. Using Maths Reciprocating Cubes
      4. Set the Dimensions of the Piston (Cube)
      5. Duplicate the Piston
    24. 12.23 Summary
  21. 13 Drivers
    1. 13.1 Blender Drivers
    2. 13.2 The Drivers Editor
    3. 13.3 Expanding the Demonstration
    4. 13.4 Workflow & Examples
    5. 13.5 Transform Driver
    6. 13.6 Scripted Expression – Orbit a Point
      1. Drivers Editor
      2. Scrubbing the Timeline
      3. Playing the Animation
    7. 13.7 Randomise Object Properties
      1. Create the Blender File
      2. Create a Python Script
      3. Blender Driver Functions
      4. Registering the Script
      5. Arrange the 3D Viewport Editor and Driver Editor
      6. Rotation Driver Properties
      7. Enter the Python Script Function
      8. Re-evaluating Drivers
      9. Scale Properties Driver
      10. X Axis Scale Driver (Scripted Expression)
      11. Y Axis Scale Driver (Max, Min, Sum, Average values with Variable)
      12. Z Axis Scale Driver
      13. Material Property Drivers
      14. Duplicating the Object
      15. Animating the Properties
      16. In Conclusion
  22. 14 Non Linear Animation
    1. 14.1 Non Linear Animation Workspace
      1. Blender – Graphical User Interface
    2. 14.2 An Action
    3. 14.3 The Animation
      1. Example
    4. 14.4 Armature Actions
    5. 14.5 Parenting
      1. Tab to Object Mode.
    6. 14.6 Practical Application
  23. 15 Rigging - Rigify - Animbox
    1. 15.1 Prerequisites
    2. 15.2 Rigify
    3. 15.3 Models for Animating
    4. 15.4 Preparing a Model
    5. 15.5 The Armature Assembly
      1. Armature Scale Alignment
      2. Align the Armature Assembly with the Model
      3. Cleaning Up
    6. 15.6 Generate the Armature Control Rig
    7. 15.7 The Magic of Animbox
      1. Animate the Model to Walk
    8. 15.8 Installing Add-ons in Blender
    9. 15.9 Make Human Export
  24. 16 Blender Render Engines
    1. The Render Engine
    2. 16.1 Cycles Render
      1. Computer Specifications for Cycles
    3. 16.2 Starting Cycles
    4. 16.3 Cycles vs Scene Content
    5. 16.4 Create an Object Light Source
    6. 16.5 Cycles Using Nodes
    7. 16.6 Cycles in Practice
      1. Set up the Scene
      2. Cycles and Nodes
    8. 16.7 Cycles Lighting Effects
    9. 16.8 Workbench Render
      1. General Description
      2. Lighting
      3. Sampling
    10. 16.9 Workbench Lighting
    11. 16.10 Workbench Materials
      1. Object:
      2. Attribute:
    12. 16.11 The Options Tab
      1. Shadows:
  25. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics, 8th Edition
  • Author(s): John M. Blain
  • Release date: September 2023
  • Publisher(s): A K Peters/CRC Press
  • ISBN: 9781000952339