Codezwiz >> Forums >> Graphics Help >> Review

Traditionally, 3D programs like 3D Studio Max and Cinema 4D have been out the reach of most people due to the cost (the current version of 3D Max is $3495.00).

I was interested then, to check out a link Kelly sent me to a new 3D program that is totally free! the software is called Blender 3D, a pretty cheesy name I thought. The software is actually open source, and yes, it is free with no strings attached.
The website provides both online and downloadable tutorials and a 'getting started' PDF.

All sound too good to be true? Well I installed it, and ran the program. That was really when the first problem arose. I've been using various 3D modelling and rendering software for years, but this one baffled me totally. Not only the layout, interface and general look of the program is different to its peers, but the whole way of working is different too. It's not so much a learning curve, as a slippery mountain. I constantly had to go searching for help to do the most simple things, as the mechanism is so different from traditional programs of this sort.

To be fair, the forum, and the website, did mention this several times. The unoffical slogan for this software could well be 'Stick with it'.

I strove with it for a day, and I think I finally get some of the more essential methods now. It's best when using this software to keep one hand near the keyboard, you'll need combinations of keyboard entry and mouse clicks to get a lot of things happening.

Here is my first attempt at a recognisable image with Blender 3D. It's not perfect by any means, but to be honest, it's taken me a day to get that far, and as yet, I have no clue how to frix the things that are wrong with it.

This software is a must-have for anyone who is interested in 3D art. Yes, the learning curve is almost vertical, but the end result will be well worth it. As for the oddball interface, who's to say that all the others are right and this one is wrong? It's just a matter of getting used to it. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some of the methods in Blender creeping into the big guns of 3D rendering and modelling in the not-too-distant future.

Blender is available for download [ Register or login to view links on this board.] and you can also download a free plug-in rederer for it. Give it a try, but don't expect to be showing off your 3D creations right away, and... stick with it!

That is very good redhot_2oo3. Would like to do that to
but think it is a bit over my head.I am still trying to work
out macromedia flash and paint shop pro8 lol.

Register

Not perfect???? got me stummed!

Im going to stick with psp like foggy lol

To be honest, working with 3d stuff is totally different than creating images with psp/photoshop. There are basically two stages, creating the models, then applying textures and lighting.
The models are created using basic shapes, cubes, cones, spheres etc. The textures are usually images of real textures that are wrapped around the objects.

I hope I didn't put anyone off by saying the learning curve is steep. A newcomer to Photoshop or Flash would probably say the same about those programs.

The main thing that makes Blender stand out like a beacon is that it's free. Also, while 3DMax comes on 3 cd's, the Blender download is only a little over 3mb.

If you like creating images, a 3D prog will take your imagination to a whole new level.
Oh, and it does animation too!

No you did not put me off it. I had a look
at it.It just has alot of buttons on it.
Is there a website that can talk me through
it with pictures. lol

You can download the quickstart PDF [ Register or login to view links on this board.] to get you going. The more I use it the more impressed I am. I'm just rendering my second image now.

I'm gonna check it out

got a render but don't know how to save it to show u lol

F3 should save the render

nothing serious was just goofing off really. wanted to see how things worked. this is a WAY difficult tool lol. It says it's saving as a jpeg but i dunno lol i'll put the belnder file and what it calls a jpeg up.