INTRODUCTION

 BLENDER

    I am writing this blog to share the different aspects I come to know about Blender, as I use it, to explore and learn its various features.
    Blender is a full featured free software package under the open GPL,which can be run on Windows, Linux or Mac Operating system.It is a 3D development package.
    The primary motivation to write this blog springs from my deep desire, to share the rich features of Blender with the young at heart and empower them to explore a wide range of opportunities to build their career in the CG field,while enjoying the whole learning process every single day. Blender may be learnt as  an hobby activity too, which would provides immense opportunities to explore your creative potentials.

     Blender  can be used for Modelling,Texturing,Rendering,Animation, Composting, Video editing and Game Development. Anybody interested in Computer Graphics can learn Blender which offers a rich set of tools which are comparable to the commercially available packages like Photo Shop , Maya and 3D Max.

      Blender has features to support  content development for the Advertisement industry, still/animated graphics for Websites, motion graphics, 2D/3D visualization of any product or data,character and scene development or Game Development.

     Development of Blender was started in 1988   by Ton Roosendaal as NeoGeo in Netherlands where it quickly grew up to become the largest animation studio. In 1995 this complete software was re-written which was the first version of Blender. From then it has under gone multiple revision and evolved to version 2.9 as on date.Blender Foundation is based at Netherlands which is the head quarters from where the basic development of Blender is done and coordinated. 

     Blender is supported by a wide community of users spread world wide, both novice and professionals and developed by the members of the Blender foundation and independent developers. Learning Blender at the entry level and advanced level is supported by a range of materials available on the web. Tutorials, Blogs, websites videos and interaction with other users in professional sharing networks like Github , Stackoverflow, reddit facilitate the learning process. Many popular websites provide online learning courses for Blender starting at the entry level and covering advanced levels. A quick search on the web would yield abundant results and open the door to you into a world of fun, excitement and  growth.

     This blog is based on Blender version 2.79b and it would touch upon Blender from different angles.However, the basic concepts you learn here would work in the earlier or later version of Blender like blender 2.83 or Blender 2.9, but for some minor variations.A few of the basic  modules  are listed below:

 
1  How to learn Blender ?
2. Downloading and installing Blender.
2a Hardware requirement.
3. Starting Blender, its opening screen and their description.
4. Basic Blender vocabulary.
5. Basic operations in Blender.
6. Basic keyboard shortcuts and Mouse operations.
7. Sample Blender files.
8. Use of a particular feature in Blender.
9. Blender Tips.

 

HOW TO LEARN BLENDER ?

    The basic mindset to learn Blender is to have a sense of curiosity and fun. Blender, today is a professional grade software. The opening screen of Blender would be daunting. You would feel that it is highly complicated and confusing.Its user interface has many windows,hundred of buttons and options with multiple levels of drop down menus and settings.A simple strategy to gain control in working with Blender is to enlarge your circle of learning, step by step,gradually. Biting more than you can chew at one go doesn't work. It may quickly turn you off.

   One additional approach to  learn and Master Blender is to have a "Never say die" attitude. What ever may be the level of difficulty, never give up. If you have failed a dozen times, still do not give up. Try again. Persistence only will pay. If you are faint hearted, this is not for you. Just quit. If you are read for the long haul and ready for an extended grind, a pot of gold awaits you at the end of the tunnel. So good luck ! Make a choice!
    Search for a way to understand and learn the particular task on hand. The first place to look for help is the web. Hundreds of tutorials and videos are there to help you find your way. As  you work your way forward, pause to think and analyze where you are erring. Blind effort is meaningless. Effort with focus and clarity in thought and action will speed up the learning process. A great strategy to speed up  learning Blender is to team up with like minded individuals with whom you can share your learning and queries. Form a collaborative network. This  approach would prove to be a win-win approach.  

      It is important to remember that hundreds of individuals on the web are ready to share and assist you in the learning process. All that you need to do is seek help and knowledge.

STARTING BLENDER AND ITS OPENING SCREEN

STARTING BLENDER

1. If you are working on Windows and have Blender installed, click on the Blender short cut on your Desktop,to launch Blender. The other approach would be to go to start->Program Menu  and click on the Blender icon.
2. If you are working on Linux,open the Terminal Emulator, change directory  to Blender version like 2.79 or 2.83 , depending on the version installed on your computer.Next enter "blender" and hit the Enter key in the command prompt.

OPENING SCREEN

    When you launch Blender, it opens with multiple  windows which are placed adjacent to each other on the  display screen.   

    The main working window  is in the centre, with an object like a cube or monkey placed in the middle.This is the 3D WINDOW .This is the largest window visible on the display screen. The opening screen will be displayed as shown below.

    On the right top corner is the OUTLINER WINDOW which lists the objects in the 3D window. When you launch Blender this window would show a list of a cube/monkey, a camera and a light.

 
    Below the Outliner window is the PROPERTIES WINDOW which has multiple buttons, drop down menus and options. This window is basically used to set the material or texture of an object, edit object properties, set modifiers. When the object(Cube) in the 3D window is selected, buttons for Render, Render layer,Scene, World,Object,Constraints,Modifiers, Data,Particles and Physics are displayed in the Properties window. Hovering the cursor on any button would display its name, indicating its functionality.

 

    At the top is the INFORMATION WINDOW.It has links like File, Render,Help etc on the menu bar. This window  displays the codes generated for any blender operation you perform. 

 
    At the bottom is the TIME LINE WINDOW, which is used for animation.

 

    As mentioned earlier these window as explained above are placed adjacent to each other. The line between two windows is the dividing line. Hovering the cursor on any dividing line would display a two sided arrow. Pulling the arrow head to  left/right or up/down would help resize  any of these windows.