Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners
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- 65.5 hours on-demand video
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- 19 downloadable resources
- Full lifetime access
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- Certificate of Completion
Get your team access to 4,000+ top Udemy courses anytime, anywhere.
Try Udemy for Business- Use Blender and understand it's interface
- Understand the principles of modelling
- Create 3D models with simple colors
- Learn the basics of animation
- Explore and have fun with particle effects
- Create your own materials
- UV map and unwrap your models
- Export your models to external packages
- Use Blender's physics engine to create destruction
- Combine CGI with real life footage
- Mac or PC capable of Running Blender Version 2.77 or above
**THE COURSE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED TO BLENDER 2.8**
We are busy updating the course for 2.8 and including many student suggestions. We are really excited and hope you are as well!
This course is continually updated in response to student suggestions
Blender is a fantastic platform which enables you to make AAA-quality models which can be exported to any game engine, 3D printer, or other software. Here are some of the reasons why you want to learn Blender with this online tutorial...
Create assets for video games.
Make unique 3D printed gifts.
Design your dream house, car, etc
Express yourself through 3D artwork.
Learn how to create 3D Models and Assets for games using Blender, the free-to-use 3D production suite. We start super simple so you'll be ok with little or no experience. With our online tutorials, you'll be amazed what you can achieve.
Ben Tristem is one of Udemy's top instructors, and Michael Bridges is an experienced 3D artist. Together Ben and Michael will provide world-class support, encouragement and plenty of challenges.
The course is project-based, so you will applying your new skills immediately to real 3D models. All the project files will be included, as well as additional references and resources - you'll never get stuck. There are talking-head videos, powerful diagrams, quality screencasts and more.
For each of the models that you build you will follow this process...
Be challenged to build the entire model yourself.
Be shown step-by-step how to build it.
Apply your knowledge regularly.
Have a more specific focus? Check out our other Blender courses which focus on characters and environments. Want to bring your models to life in a video game engine? Check out our Complete Unity Developer 3D course. Just look for our green leaf logo - a sign of passion & quality.
You will get full lifetime access for a single one-off fee. The creators are qualified and experienced with modelling and coding, so are able to explain complex concepts clearly, as well as entertain along the way. By the end of the course, you'll be very confident in the basics of 3D modelling and rendering, and hungry to learn more.
If you're a complete beginner, we'll teach you all the modelling fundamentals you'll need. If you're an artist, we'll teach you to bring your assets to life. If you're a coder, we'll teach you modelling and design principles.
Note: access to this course comes with an optional, free community site where you can share games and 3D models, as well as connect with other students.
Dive in now, you won't be disappointed!
- Competent and confident with using a computer.
- Artists who want to learn to bring their assets alive.
- Game Developers who wish to expand their Skill Set.
- Complete beginners who are willing to work hard.
This is the Start of the Blender Remaster to 2.8, this is the new content.
In this video (objectives)…
Add a material to your object.
Look over the properties a material can have.
Understand this is the default principal shader.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to add materials to your mesh objects, adding colour to your model.
(Unique Video Reference: 5a_GG_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Look at the scene through the camera.
Position the Camera ready form.
learn how to quickly move the camera and around the world.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to setup your camera ready for your first render.
(Unique Video Reference: 7_GG_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn a few tips a tricks.
Focus on what the viewer will see.
Make your end of section simple model.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You'll be sure that you know all of the modelling knowledge in this section.
(Unique Video Reference: 11_GG_CBC)
In this video...
Switch between edit mode and object mode.
Edit the positions of vertices edges and faces.
Understand that editing in edit mode is different from transforming in object mode.
After watching...
You will be able to edit the mesh data of a mesh object.
(Unique Video Reference: 3_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Add multiple material slots.
Assign more than one material to an object in edit mode.
Understand that you will lose any unassigned materials open reopening the file.
After watching...
You will be able to assign multiple materials to one object.
(Unique Video Reference: 8_BK_CBC)
In this video...
"Normal" means 90-degrees.
Normals are vectors at 90-degrees to the faces.
Think of them like hairs.
Hairs should grow outwards!
After watching...
You will understand what normals are and be able to prevent them from causing you problems later on!
(Unique Video Reference: 10_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Identify mistakes before they become issues.
OK for rapid prototyping.
Potentially fine for finished work as well.
After watching...
You will have a taste of topology arguments and have a deeper understanding of what is acceptable and when.
(Unique Video Reference: 15_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Refresher of what we have done so far.
Learn about different selection tools.
Learn about expanding the selection.
After watching...
You will be competent in selecting in many different ways, expanding your choice and options when modelling.
(Unique Video Reference: 16_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Learn another way to constrain movement.
Using the Snapping Tool in edit mode
How to snap objects into place.
Control whether or not you merge vertices during the moving process
After watching...
You will be able to use the snapping tool whilst editing a mesh object in Blender.
(Unique Video Reference: 17_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Repeating objects using the Array modifier.
Modifiers are great because they are non destructive unless you apply them.
How to separate your geometry.
After watching...
You will be able to use the array modifier to repeat your mesh objects.
(Unique Video Reference: 19_BK_CBC)
In this video...
Joining mesh objects together.
Everything joins to the active selected mesh object.
Objects will lose their modifiers and inherit the active selected mesh objects.
After watching...
You will understand why you may want to join objects together into one mesh object.
(Unique Video Reference: 20_BK_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Michael welcomes you to the section.
We will cover making a model using curves.
Explore other modelling techniques.
Import Blender files together into one scene.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will know what the section is about and have an overview of what to expect upon completion of the section.
(Unique Video Reference: 1_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Blender used to use an arbitrary unit called a Blender Unit.
By default Blender uses metres.
You can change that to other units.
Units are important when working on large or small objects.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to set the appropriate Scale within Blender to the model you are working on.
(Unique Video Reference: 3_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Placeholders serve many purposes
In this lecture we look at using one as a guide for our reference material
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Be able to create placeholders and understand why you might need them in the first place.
(Unique Video Reference: 5_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
We convert a curve object to another object type, a mesh object.
This allows you to perform operations that are only available on that object type
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to convert between various compatible object types.
(Unique Video Reference: 7_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand about the positioning of the objects origin is important as that is the rotational axis
Using the spin tool we will make our pin.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the spin tool to create objects that have rotational symmetry.
(Unique Video Reference: 8_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn that the sphere is the defining shape.
The mesh topology can vary greatly.
UV sphere, ico sphere and cube!
Brief look at subdivision modifier.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to choose different topology to suit your needs
(Unique Video Reference: 10_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Showing you how to import multiple Blender files into a scene.
Learning the difference between append and linked.
Understanding that a composited scene can exist with both types.
Look at appending vs linking.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to append objects and settings from other blend files.
(Unique Video Reference: 15_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Create a new scene in Blender.
Name and rename scenes.
copy data from one scene to another.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to create multiple scenes to setup and showoff your work in various ways in a single Blender file.
(Unique Video Reference: 17_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Look at the various shadow options in Eevee.
Understand that shadows are controlled from the lights in Eevee.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to create multiple scenes to setup and showoff your work in various ways in a single Blender file.
(Unique Video Reference: 18_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand that Eevee has its limits.
You have to turn on features in Eevee for them to work.
Reflections are one such feature.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be aware that Eevee's rendering features need to be turned on in order to use them.
(Unique Video Reference: 19_BA_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand that a larger project requires some forward thinking.
You will need to create a folder structure.
Be prepared to change as the project becomes clearer.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have your file system all setup for the project ahead and understand the importance of organisation in a larger project.
(Unique Video Reference: 2_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Check out the design specs of a chess board.
Design our chess board using that info.
Decide on a working scale.
Play about in Blender to get it feeling right.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have collected all the necessary reference material for the section and have all the measurements for your pieces and understand the importance of doing this for any other projects.
(Unique Video Reference: 3_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Start creating our chess board.
Take over the cube object.
Use the grid mesh to create the grid.
Start creating our chess board.
Replace a cube mesh object’s mesh data.
Demonstrate the grid mesh option too.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Understand the fundamental difference between Mesh Data and the Mesh Object that contains it.
(Unique Video Reference: 4_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
How to centre your model in the view.
Learn how to control an objects origin.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have control of the origin of an object, and be able to manipulate your view with better precision.
(Unique Video Reference: 5_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Chose a style of chess set.
Decide on construction method.
Start creating our asset.
Construction Method.
Split our models in two.
Make a standard base asset that we can work from for all the other models.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to identify repeating geometric shapes allowing you to create a standard asset to streamline your workflow.
(Unique Video Reference: 6_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Box model the chess piece base.
Using the bevel tool to round off our sharp edges.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand the use of the bevel tool and using the bevel tool we can smooth out a sharp edge, but it comes at a cost.
(Unique Video Reference: 7_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
How to start taking geometry away from a model.
Simplifying the model as much as possible.
As much geometry as necessary, no more.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a better grasp of the underlying geometry you will need to make your models.
(Unique Video Reference: 10_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn when you would duplicate an asset model.
Choose when appending would be better.
Duplicating Vs Appending.
Appending picks out key parts of a blend file.
Other Scene data would have to be appended separately.
Duplicating would be exactly the same as the original file with everything intact.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand more about the choices you will make when combining and reusing your models.
(Unique Video Reference: 13_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Take another look at our reference pieces.
Look for commonality to save us time with modelling.
Use the 3D Cursor and Origin to accurately control our piece.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Greater understanding on controlling the mesh datas location relative to the objects origin.
(Unique Video Reference: 16_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Experiment with a Boolean modifier.
Understand how to apply it to our model.
Can been used constructively and destructively.
It can work in edit mode.
Real time and live!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the boolean modifier to create new more complex geometry.
(Unique Video Reference: 17_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
See how parents can group together objects, their children.
Create a hierarchy which is easy to navigate.
We'll be using this to logically group our pieces.
Parent > Child > Grandchild > Great Grandchild!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to give your objects a hierarchy in your scene, allowing another way of controlling your pieces
(Unique Video Reference: 18_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Introducing the concept of an empty.
An empty is a null object, and has no geometry.
They can be used as a handle to control objects.
Used as a parent object for a group of objects.
Many other uses.
Append the bishop into our chess scene.
Check everything is right proportion wise.
Start filling up our board, creating the white pawns.
Link duplicate our bishop and pawns.
Managing our models in this scene.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand what empties are and a few uses for them.
(Unique Video Reference: 19_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Great for working around more complex scenes.
We're changing the user preferences.
Demonstrate both zoom to mouse and rotate around selection.
Other view options available.
View Options
View>View Selected (Number Pad .)
View Dolly: Ctrl + Shift + Middle-Mouse / Ctrl+ Shift + +/-.
Walk/Fly Mode: Shift + F.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have much better control of the 3D Editor.
(Unique Video Reference: 20_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand that lamps apply to Blender Render.
Light is handled differently in Cycles.
Adjusting lamps properties and seeing it's affect.
We will switch to rendered mode in the viewport shading options to see this effect.
Further Reading on Blender Render Lighting:
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.4/Manual/Lighting/Lights/Light_Attenuation
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand lighting much better and be able to use if effectively to light your scene.
(Unique Video Reference: 21_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Need to understand these for getting rendering right.
Looking at the two in isolation.
Combining them to see the effect.
Still using Blender Render.
Diffuse vs Specular Reflections
Both are types of reflection.
Diffuse is when Light scatters as it hits a surface.
Specular is direct reflection of the light to the viewer.
Materials are often a mix of the two.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a better understanding of material setups and of how light interacts with your models.
(Unique Video Reference: 22_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Discover it is useful when working on larger and more complex assemblies or scenes.
Control whether you are hiding groups of objects as well as individuals.
Hide construction elements from your scene, from both view and rendering.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to selective hide parts of your model.
(Unique Video Reference: 23_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Show you how to add a texture to your material.
Reinforce the diffuse and specular settings.
Model the board surround.
Apply a texture to the board surround.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have learnt the basics allowing you to be able to assign a texture to your models.
(Unique Video Reference: 24_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Decide how we can manage our materials.
Creating materials in one blend file.
Each project will have a different way of handling materials depending on it's size and scope.
Materials In Our Project
32 Pieces: Black & White.
Board: Black & White & Wooden Surround.
5 Materials in the project.
We're going to assign materials in a Chess Scene Blend file.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand that pausing and taking note of your project, thinking about how it is developing and how you might need to re organise your project are it gets larger.
(Unique Video Reference: 26_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Better overall to make models using quads.
Explain what they are.
Whatever you use- it is being converted back to triangles in the background.
Watch out making things non planer…
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a better understanding of different basic topology types and their advantages and disadvantages.
(Unique Video Reference: 28_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Only happens with quads and NGons.
Rendering & Exporting always converts geometry into triangles.
Lose control over the rendering.
You cannot always see this in the 3D window.
Makes a huge difference with flat models and flat shading.
Triangles and NGons.
If your model comes to a point you might need a triangle.
When subdividing part of you model you are likely to create an NGon elsewhere.
You will break loops when doing this.
Solutions
Good mesh topology from the beginning.
Be lean and check your model through.
Turn on mesh analysis (not 100%).
Manually make face(s) Planar again. Normal, SZZ0.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand that non-planar geometry can ruin the surface of a model and ways to cure it.
(Unique Video Reference: 29_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
How to setup and use the Mirror modifier.
Start creating our Knight.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will know that with models which have symmetry you should consider speeding up your workflow by using the mirror modifier.
(Unique Video Reference: 30_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Suggest using the queen as a starting point.
To make the King the right size by out specs, a base of 4 > 4.5 is a scale of 1.125.
Make the king your own, and have fun.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have complete your King piece.
(Unique Video Reference: 32_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn about camera placement.
They're a directional object.
Overview of the camera settings.
You can have more than one camera, but only one active camera.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to alter the properties of a camera.
(Unique Video Reference: 35_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn additional techniques to organising larger projects.
Introduction to using groups.
Great for organisation.
Great for moving multiple items from one Blender file to another.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to group objects together to help with export/import.
(Unique Video Reference: 37_CP_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
To give you are firm understanding of the way we are doing things in this section.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand the reasons behind the methodology chosen with this section and understand that once you have learnt these techniques you might chose a more separated work flow in future.
(Unique Video Reference: 5_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Eevee is generally quick and you get a very good results quickly.
Cycles is a physical based renderer is accurate but takes longer. It is designed for GPUs but runs fine on CPUs.
Why Use Cycles?
We are going to use Cycles, since we are modelling a lamp!
The two are cross compatible, Light is different.
You can use other renderers as well, if you have access to them. We won't be covering these.
Render Time Difference
I will be showing you 3 Clips of a 4 second bowling ball animation.
Eevee - 4 Mins
Cycles - 40 Mins
Your Machine Specs : CPU
Lots of different machine specs- vary massively.
More Cores and Higher Frequency CPU.
You are unlikely to hit memory limits when using CPU Rendering.
You cannot use CPU and GPU at the same time.
Your Machine Specs: Graphics Card
nVidia cards- any that support CUDA.
AMD Cards - OpenCL
You may hit memory issues if using a GPU.
If in doubt or having trouble switch to CPU rendering.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a good idea of the major differences between the Cycles and Eevee rendering engine.
(Unique Video Reference: 8_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Use the CPU
Apple deprecated Open GL / Open CL support in 2018
No time time on Apple being more inclusive
Nvidia used to be a viable option, that is no longer the case.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand that CPU is really your only choice on MacOS for the time being.
(Unique Video Reference: 9_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Cycles runs with AMD and nVidia Cards.
Install the latest drivers for your GPU.
If you do not have a dedicated nVidia or AMD Card
NOT ALWAYS QUICKER!
Setup Blender For GPU Rending
Optional, if you do not have a **dedicated** GPU, this lecture will not apply to you.
You may find that your GPU is **slower** than your CPU at rendering.
Your CPU is free to do other things…
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will know how to use a dedicated GPU with Blender Cycles
(Unique Video Reference: 10_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Lighting is nearly always darker in Eevee.
How to create a light source as geometry and then apply an emissive material to that object- something not possible in Eevee.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a good understanding of the major lighting difference between Cycles and Eevee.
(Unique Video Reference: 11_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Reflection are another thing that are less accurate in Eevee.
Reflections in Cycles are fully calculated.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a good understanding between Cycles and Eevee and how they handle reflections.
(Unique Video Reference: 12_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Show you how to render just a part of your scene.
Great for those with slower machines.
Great for complex Scenes on ANY computer.
CAUTION ALT + B (view clipping)
After watching (learning outcomes)…
Great tips for rending only the areas you want to render.
(Unique Video Reference: 13_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Using curves makes it infinitely editable.
Changing the bézier handle type.
Generate a 3D object by defining curves.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use a curve object to create geometry.
(Unique Video Reference: 14_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Culling Unnecessary Geometry
We kept the curve data so have two options:
Remake our mesh object, from those curves.
Fiddle about with the geometry itself.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to adjust the curves to balance out the geometry that is being created.
(Unique Video Reference: 15_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Convert the Curve data to Mesh Data.
Watch out for the issues you might face.
Learn how to keep previous data for editing later.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to convert a curve object to a mesh object.
(Unique Video Reference: 16_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Use an existing face to create a new face.
Separate immediately creating a new object.
This allows us to match up parts of our model, even when they're not exact sizes.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to fit together multi-part models without issue.
(Unique Video Reference: 17_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
How to change your Render settings.
You will have to run multiple tests.
Different scenes will have different characteristics depending on there complexity, but in general will follow a similar pattern.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to adjust cycle's rendering settings allowing you to get the most out of it.
(Unique Video Reference: 19_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn how to use another object as the point of reflection.
Understand that it is the origin that acts as the point of reflection.
See other objects rotational values change the axes of reflection.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use the mirror modifier in a more advanced way.
(Unique Video Reference: 21_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn how to add additional bones to an armature.
Understand that a new bone does not have to be connected to the previous one.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to add additional bones to your armature
(Unique Video Reference: 22_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Be introduced to pose mode
Understand that we use this mode to test our models movement.
Know that this the best mode to be in to parent mesh objects to individual bones, and to make alterations.
Rest Position and Pose Position
Understand the differences between rest position and pose position.
You can see the rest position when in edit mode.
How to clear the pose back to the rest state.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to switch into pose mode and start to pose your model how you want.
(Unique Video Reference: 24_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Open up the shader editor.
Create some basic materials.
Apply these materials to our model.
See how adjustments in the node editor affect our model.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a basic understanding of the Shader Editor.
(Unique Video Reference: 31_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
You will learn about the MixRGB node.
You will learn of the geometry node.
you will be able to adjust values using a brightness and contrast node.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use a simple not setup to show 2 different colours on the surface of your model.
(Unique Video Reference: 32_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn the differences between light sources when using the cycles engine.
How the light source affects the output quality.
Understand that there is time and place for each time of light source.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be better equipped to use lights effectively in Blender.
(Unique Video Reference: 33_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn how to turn on Auto IK.
Realise that this is a starting point and not perfect!
Understand it applies to the whole rig.
See that it allows us to control the connected bones all at once.
Auto IK ignores any existing bone constraints.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to setup an IK bone system.
(Unique Video Reference: 34_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
We have lost the use of our bone constraints.
Replace now with IK constraints instead.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to re-constrain the movement of bones, now that we are using IK to control our rig.
(Unique Video Reference: 36_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Be introduced to the timeline.
Shown how to adjust the playback and rendering range.
How to alter the Frames Per Second (FPS) of your animation.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a refresher of the Timeline and be able to use the time line effectively
(Unique Video Reference: 38_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand what they are and how they are used.
Be shown how to automatically add them and remove them from the Timeline view.
Realise almost everything can be keyframed.
Be able to use key frames to animate your lamp.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to keyframe in positions you want the lamp to be in.
(Unique Video Reference: 39_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Keyframing can be done automatically.
Understand that it overwrites all transform keyframes, not just the one you are changing.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to record your movements and understand the associated risks with recording.
(Unique Video Reference: 40_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Introduction to the Dope Sheet.
The Dope Sheet is like a detailed timeline.
Shows where keyframes happen.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand what the Dope Sheet is used for and be comfortable using it.
(Unique Video Reference: _PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
You will have an overview of the graph editor.
The Graph Editor controls how keyframes transition.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will understand what the Graph Editor is used for and be comfortable using it.
(Unique Video Reference: _PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand that the camera view is for our animation rendering as well as a normal rendering.
Setup the camera ready for the Animation.
Animate the Camera!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to configure the Camera ready for rendering.
(Unique Video Reference: _PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn how to render your animation.
How to stop the rendering.
What settings to use for good results.
How to preview an animation once it has finished rendering.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to export your animation ready to share as an mp4.
(Unique Video Reference: _PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Be Introduced to the Video Editor.
Combine your rendered images into a final video.
Explore various exporting options.
Export the images to a movie file.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will know how to manage larger or mission-critical renders.
(Unique Video Reference: 46_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Use multiple computers to render an animation.
Learn how to use multiple instances of Blender to utilise the CPU and GPU on your computer.
Decide on how many samples for the final animation.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to employ multiple machine to render you animation.
(Unique Video Reference: 47_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Learn what a vertex group is.
Assign vertices to a vertex group.
See that because we created our model in parts, it is really easy to assign groupings.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have a basic understanding of vertex groups.
(Unique Video Reference: 48_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Un parent your lamp meshes and join them together ending up with one mesh object.
Rename your Vertex Groups and Bones so that they match.
Test your new rig.
Whilst it might seem we're undoing work- we couldn't make the lamp model without separate mesh objects because of the various modifiers we used eg Mirror Modifier.
Remember you can jump to this step in future if you want to.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to quickly re-rig a rig ready for export from Blender.
(Unique Video Reference: 49_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Export the model and test it.
Just watch if you don’t have Unity or Unreal installed so you can see the process.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will have tested that your model works correctly, or if you don't have a game engine installed see the process.
(Unique Video Reference: 50_PL_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Understand what a “profile modelling” is.
Potentially speed up modelling by mirroring.
Use a series of methods to produce a profile that we can use in our scene.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to profile model by extruding.
(Unique Video Reference: 11_GM_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Create some alternative detail.
Convert mesh objects into curve objects.
Use those 2 curves to create geometry, one controlling the profile, the other a path.
See this is great for more accurate path following.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use curves to profile model.
(Unique Video Reference:12_GM_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Use the Array modifier to repeat a mesh object the length of a curve.
Deform the array using the same curve data.
End up with some pretty awesome results!
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use another mesh object following the curve.
(Unique Video Reference: 13_GM_CBC)
In this video (objectives)…
Library overrides are like proxies and will eventually supersede them.
After watching (learning outcomes)…
You will be able to use Library Overrides, with the understanding that they are a little unstable at the moment.
(Unique Video Reference: 20_GM_CBC)
- Get familiar with rabbits!
- Look at the desired outcome and plan our modelling journey towards that goal.
Section Brief
- Rabbit is sat in grass and is still.
- It is a summers day with a light breeze.
- There should be additional foliage around the rabbit.
- The Rabbit does not have to be realistic.
Import an image without a transparent layer.- No Alpha Channel.
Understand that this is useful if you have no image editing software, no time to process a load of images, or just trying out images for your textures
What is Alpha?
If an image contains an alpha channel, each image pixel is represented has an value which specifies the opacity of that pixel. In alpha channels, 100% is opaque pixel and 0% is transparent pixel.
Not the best way…
Ideal to have a Solid coloured background, either 100% Black or 100% White to separate the image from the background.
It would be best if your images are processed to include an alpha (transparency) channel RGBA.
(Unique Video Reference: 28_FB_CBC)
Learn how you can place hundreds of objects easily and fluidly using the particle system.
Control the distribution of particles using Weight Painting and Vertex Groups
Turn off outlines when they clutter the view.
(Unique Video Reference: 32_FB_CBC)
- You are going to make several models.
- We’ll be making both high poly and low poly versions of these assets.
- We will emphasise how critical naming is when working with a larger project like this.
- You will be able to create your own mapping, with these we can make the illusion of detail.
- We’ll be constantly checking our model externally
- This will be focused mainly on an interior environment.
- Create assets to be exported straight into an external program, like a game engine.
- Creating our own textures, and other maps from high detail models and apply them to a low poly version.
- Focused on modelling the interior of the Gothic Church.
- You can use this technique within Blender itself too for optimisation.
- I am going to be testing my model externally as I go so you can appreciate the impact externally.
- We’ll be looking at Level Of Detail, in detail.
- I will be keeping my scene simple, primarily for teaching purposes!
- I encourage you to add more detail, experiment and have fun. Wouldn’t the scene look much more interesting with a chess set in it…
An Overview of Source Control
- The what and why of Version Control Systems
- Choosing your Version Control System (VCS)
- What files to include / exclude
- Commit = save a local snapshot
- Reset = roll-back to a previous state
- Branch, Push and Large File Support later.
A Look At Git Kracken
(New Video 11/2/2018)
(Unique Video Reference: 6_GA_CBC)
- Understand that there is NO one way of setting up your filing system.
- Have a personal style of filing, if you don’t like mine, use yours.
- Talk with your ‘team’ you will form guidelines from your own needs.
Some Rigidity
- In a Team environment you will have guidelines or discuss with colleagues.
- Some other software might expect certain things to be stored and named in a certain way.
Naming
- In a Team / larger project it is critical that you can find assets, materials, textures.
- Naming files well will help you and others.
- There are some naming conventions that we will use in this section.
In Blender Organisation.
- We are going to be making a much more complex scene than any previously made.
- Organise it as you go, not afterwards!
- Use description names, cube, cube.001 etc is not helpful to anyone!
- Focus on representations of the right size and shape, but JUST Block work models.
- This allows quick iteration of your models.
- Remember higher detail ofter requires more processing time too!
LOD Numbers and Letters
- LOD 0 often refers to the highest detail model sometimes called the base model.
- To avoid confusion, we are going to use Letters!
- A represents the lowest polygon model, with B,C,D etc increasing in detail.
Watch Your Time / LOD
- LOD and time taken at usually directly proportional to one another.
- When fleshing out a scene and prototyping you probably want quiet a few assets.
- You can test models and your scene quickly.
LOD vs. Time Taken Example
“LOD”
A - B - C - D
Polygons*
200 - 2,000 - 20,000 - 200,000
Time Taken**
30mins - 2 hours - 1 day - 1 Week+
*Every polygon counts!
**Time includes other artwork too
Simple Shapes
- RH Triangle whose sides are 1,1,sqrt(2).
- Square 1x1 and other Integer Rectangles.
- Isosceles whose base is 1 and sides are 2.
- Equilateral Triangles of side length 1.
- These will all fit together well and consistently
Disadvantages?
- NONE… at this stage.
- Later it can feel restrictive.
- That is where you want to be customising and adding detail, not in the early stages
Formulae In The Fields
- You can type formulae into Blender’s fields.
- We can use this to solve otherwise complicated measurements.
(Updated 12/02/2018)
(Unique Video Reference: 9_GA_CBC)
- Setup Up Our Repository.
- Register SourceTree.
- Learn how to exclude data from our repository.
- Stage our files.
- Make our first commit.
How Many Repositories?
- You could use a repo per model that you create, this would give you the best level of control.
- You could track your whole project in a repo.
- It will depend on the complexity of your project and how much control you NEED.
Excluding Data
- Allow faster commits at a smaller size and keeps the database simple and manageable.
- Avoid storing derived / generated data in the repository.
- Example here: will be our reference material.
Committing
- You’ll need to save all the documents that constitute that commit first.
- Just like saving your working folder and zipping it up at that moment in time.
- Learn about Datablocks.
- Understand that knowing about them is about to become much more important.
- We have come into contact with data blocks lots but let now go and explore them directly.
Datablock’s Characteristics
- Must have unique names per type.
- Can link to each other.
- Can link across blend files.
- Unused Datablocks are eventually removed.
- This is Where we have used Fake Users in the past to preserve that particular datablock.
Sharing Datablocks Example
- The same texture on many materials.
- The same material on many meshes.
- The same particle system and so on.
- We will often share and then make the data block unique.
- Learn more about linking datablocks.
- Understand what is happening when you link.
- Realising when you need to use a Proxy
- Creates a New object, that is a parent of the linked data.
- Allows transformation of an object.
- Can now Scale, Move, Rotate etc.
- Otherwise exactly the same as the linked file.
- The object datablock is linked to original and any dependant datablocks.
Learn why you want to make a linked datablock local.
Understand we are starting to sever links by doing this.
Learn about the various stages of making it local.
Decide when would be a good time to localise a datablock.
Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantage: You will have more local control.
External files moved, project can stay together.
Disadvantage: Potentially more work involved.
Any edits you make on the original affect all linked data blocks but not the ones made local.
When Do you Localise?
When the link is not required.
When you want to make the asset unique in this particular file.
When you want to make changes irrelevant to other potential projects.
Make Local: Option 1
Selected Objects: Clones the object Datablock to the new blend file.
All other datablocks remain linked to the original file.
This allows changing of anything in the object datablock.
Make Local: Option 2
Selected Objects and Data: Clones the object & data Datablock to the new blend file.
This allows editing of the mesh data, breaking that link and making it a local file.
The materials & other datablocks remain linked to the original object.
Make Local: Option 3
Selected Objects, Data and Materials: Clones the object, data and materials Datablock.
This allows editing of the object data & materials datablocks.
Breaks those links, making them local to this file.
Make Local: Option 4
All: As it sounds, this is pretty much the same as appending the object into the scene. It is now entirely local with no links to the original file.
(Unique Video Reference: 16_GA_CBC)
- See how our scene looks and feels walking around it. Using the Fly / Walk Mode.
- Show you how to see the scene in Unity.
- Understand I am using Unity to keep the iterations quick and simple at this early stage.
- Anything external to Blender, you can watch to see how it works and is coming across.
- Better understanding of external programs.
- Join in, if you have Unity installed and are interested in learning more about this prototyping method.
- Understand what will export
- Realise some elements of your models will not export or will once, or not properly.
- Depends on the target package.
What Appears on Import
- Mesh data including UV Maps.
- Armatures and animation data will appear too if supported in the target package.
- Textures may appear or simple the base diffuse colour.
Reconstruction
- Textures often have to be reapplied.
- Shaders work differently in other packages.
- Materials would have to be remade.
- Particle systems are local to Blender.
- Test
Re-linking Blend Files
- Make a commit!
- Understand the order you NEED to do things in if you wish to change a linked file or it’s datablocks.
- See what happens if you change a link.
- Make a commit!
- COPY file(s) to new location.
- Rename the COPIED file(s) appropriately.
- Doing it it any other order will break links.
- Any links broken when saving will be lost forever!
- Make a commit!
- COPY file(s)
- Open up Copy and make datablock adjustments.
- Link new file into scene.
- Make links to the new object, replacing the old.
- Delete / Archive Old Blend file.
- Understand what a “profile modelling” is.
- Potentially speed up modelling by mirroring.
- Use a series of methods to produce a profile that we can use in our scene.
- Future: Use the same profile in different ways
Profile Modelling
- A profile is the outline you get when you view something from a particular angle.
- Imagine slicing through your model.
- Realise we have used them in the past: Lamp Base was produces with curves and the Pin was geometry based.
Methods Used
- We’re going to bump up our extrude speed
- We’re going to be using the bevel tool for construction and defining sharp edges.
- A subsurface modifier for making the surface.
(Updated 27/02/2017)
(Unique Video Reference: 21_GA_CBC)
- Learn how to use light portals.
- Understand the limitations of their use.
- See that they can dramatically increase quality given a fixed number of samples.
- See they’re especially useful for indoor environments. lit by environmental lighting.
How Cycles Lighting Works
- Light rays are fired out from the camera until they hit a light source.
- With a Lamp Blender knows where the light source is so ONLY fires rays that will eventually hit the light source.
Emissive Materials
- With an emissive material Blender doesn’t know where the light source is.
- When the camera fires those rays, some of them will never reach a light source, this introduces more noise.
Environmental Lighting
- In an Interior with only windows letting light in. The rays bounce around a lot and only a few reach the light source. HDR/Environment lighting.
- This introduces a lot of noise in the final image.
How Portals Help
- Portals help by telling Blender where to aim those rays.
- This produces much less noise in the final image.
Limitations
- Portals are a cycles lighting feature.
- They increase light calculation time, however produce much much less noisy environments.
- Portals only work with Environmental light. Using them otherwise can reduce image quality.
- Have little impact if you put something in the way!
- No longer ask what does UV stand for?!
- Overview the mapping in upcoming lectures
- Understand that we will be creating these maps from scratch, and then using them again to speed up further workflow.
- X,Y and Z are used for the Co-ordinates.
- UV are like the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ co-ordinates of an image.
- UV mapping is the process of projecting a 2D image to a 3D model's surface.
- Understand more about unwrapping.
- Be able to unwrap more complex models
- Realise this is a great starting point for a lot of meshes.
- See it gives a basic unwrap that we can work with.
Why Unwrap?
- A UV map, is a projection of a 3D mesh to 2D.
- Whilst unwrapping is necessary to project an image
- We can let blender ‘guess’ how to unwrap.
- Unwrapping gives you control over how your model is mapped in 2D space.
- Essential when using assets outside Blender.
- Essential when using textures within Blender.
- Necessary if you want control over how something looks.
- Realise that UV unwraps will have seams in them.
- Learn how to mark seams where you want them.
- Understand that this gives us the most control over our models unwrap.
What Is A Seam?
- It is a “cut” it your model, telling Blender how to unwrap your model.
- It allows you to separate parts of your meshes.
- Texture those parts individually.
Tips For Marking Seams
- Seams can easily cause distortion and misalignment of textures.
- Seams often occur on hard edges.
- They are made where you are least likely to see them.
- Understand that this gives us the most control over our model.
The Diffuse Map
- Create a hand painted texture in the UV image editor and apply it to your models!
- Be creating the diffuse map from scratch
- Explain what the diffuse map does.
What Is A Diffuse Map?
- Is the most common map, and the one most people think of when someone says “texture”.
- It defines the colour and patterns on a surface.
Diffuse Maps
- Can be challenging to imagine a surface without light source, or rather with uniform light
- Avoid creating detail that would usually be generated by bumps on the surface.
- We are going to avoid painting shadows too.
- If done, this is called ‘baking’ into the image.
- Learn how to use images to control your materials.
- Understand why these control images are black and white.
- Create a simple stage for our building.
Why Black and White?
- These Greyscale images define “values” on a per pixel basis.
- Black represents a value of 0 and white a value of 1.
- You map them to your model like you would any other image.
- Use a texture to control how light interacts with a surface.
- See how to use a texture as a bump map in Blender Render.
- Use Generated textures rather than hand made.
Bump Maps
- Normal and Height/Displacement maps are both types of bump maps.
- We’re going to use a displacement map.
- They tell a shader HOW to interact with light.
- This gives the illusion of detail on a surface.
- Can increase render speeds vs geometry.
- Create real detail using a texture.
- Use a displacement map to alter geometry.
- Understand that you need geometry first to modify.
- Use the displacement influence in Blender Render.
- Then use the displacement modifier in a similar manner.
An Important Reality
- They are not suited to things like generating a final brick wall. V High Poly count required.
- They're very useful for applying detail e.g. scales on a lizard/fish or dragon.
- Great for generating geometry and then optimising
- For larger items, like terrain.
- Create a normal map.
- Understand when to create a normal map.
- Use a process called baking.
- See the baking is the fundamental process for creating other map types too in Blender.
- Understand about cages and why they are used.
- (Updated 15/09/2017)
(Unique Video Reference: 40_GA_CBC)
Understand that resolution will control the level of detail at a particular distance.
Realise when a texture is too large or too small.
Learn about the power of two (POT) and why and when it is important.
Power Of Two
Computers work with 1s and 0s, or Binary.
A lot of external programs need POT textures.
They aren’t necessary in Blender but are a good standard to adhere too, especially when working with external programs.
Don’t have to be ‘square’, providing side length is a POT.
Which Numbers are Power of 2?
Mathematically they’ll be 2 to the power of n or 2^n. eg. 2^5 = 32
If you have been around computers for a while you’ll recognise this sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512,1024, 2048, etc.
Textures Of Different Sizes.
Need their own UV Map.
Probably not exportable due to multiple UV maps.
Best to stick to one texture size for any given unwrap.
Larger textures require more memory.
What Size Textures
How far away is the camera from the object/texture?
How big is the object?
What’s the “Retina” Texture level?
rTexture = 3266 * Tan(Size/Distance)
(Unique Video Reference: 42_GA_CBC)
- Learn how to use the multi resolution modifier.
- See it is similar to the subsurf. modifier and great for multiple resolutions of a single model.
- Learn to control how sharp edges.
- Understand that this is best applied to a base mesh that is close to the ‘final’ low-poly version.