Filed under: Software, Freeware, Open Source
Blender
If you're interested in getting into 3D high end graphics, but the nosebleed prices of the software out there keeps getting in your way, why not go free with Blender? Blender is "the open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback. . . . Available for Windows, Linux, Irix, Sun Solaris, FreeBSD or Mac OS X under the GNU Public License."There was a new version released today, and there are flavors available for OS X 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4. Head over to the downloads page and grab your copy. Post links to your Blender-created stuff in the comments and we'll check it out. If you feel like supporting this open source project, you can invest in the 800 page manual.
Did I mention that it is free?
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
_victor said 9:49PM on 6-15-2005
Blender packs about as much punch as many high-end modeling/rendering/animation packages. You can also extend some things through Python, and tap into outside elements (there's a game engine included too).
The downside is that the GUI takes a lot of getting used to. Very non-standard and unmaclike, but this is formerly proprietary dev tools...
Thus, for the cost of the documentation and weekly, if not daily, self-instruction for a few months you CAN have a powerhouse of 3d and animation at your fingertips.
Still wish Apple would buy 3ds max...
If you want a simpler modeling app, try Wings3d:
http://www.wings3d.com/
Reply
Steven Romej said 2:21AM on 6-16-2005
Blender's interface is odd and one-of-a-kind, but--I guess like anything--once you get used to it you'll find that it can be used quickly and almost entirely with the keyboard.
wings3d looks cool too, hadn't heard of that.
Reply
Extensor said 3:10AM on 6-16-2005
The interface is non-standard but is designed for maximum speed once you do learn it.
This was my way of getting past the inital learning curve.
1. download the manual and print out the hotkeys section.
2. do the gingerbread man tutorial a few times a day.
3. in off time look at your hotkeys sheet and cross off what you know. at first you won't cross off much but as you redo the tutorial it will sink in and by the end of the week you'll be on your way.
FYI - Wings3D is a modeler only, no animation.
Reply
pablo said 9:32AM on 6-16-2005
The UI is often the first thing that comes up when reviewing Blender, but it's really a common sense UI when it comes down to it, and not that difficult to learn [and well worth it]. After a couple of tutorials you'll be exposed to a very powerful 3D modeling/animation application.
Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
Also worth mentioning is the great community of Blender users, which are by far the most helpful group of people I've yet to come across in any net_community.
Did you mention it was free? Oh...you did =)
Reply
Derek said 11:37AM on 6-16-2005
The link to blender in the story goes straight back here. Make sure it is changed to Blender3d.org.
Reply
TestMonkey said 7:36PM on 12-30-2005
"2. do the gingerbread man tutorial a few times a day." You're kidding right? You actually ran through this tutorial a couple times a day to do something I could do one hour after playing with Wings3D the first time?
There is no reason that Blender should be left in such a difficult to handle state, except that there is this elitist nature of both the devs and the community around Blender for its interface. Spending weeks on just manipulating models to get hotkey after hotkey down (along with other strange combinations of keys and mouse clicks) is not an efficient way to spend time. Having well thought out design that is both easy to learn and understand, as well as fast to work with IS and Blender could have this if it was worked on.
A lot of people with a lot of talent are being put off by Blenders UI. In the early days when there were few adoptors and Blender was new and used by internal people, I can see that one persons idea of how something should work would be added to the program for that ONE person. Now you are talking about a program that is trying to reach out to thousands and lure them away from standard tools that people have paid a lot of money to both buy and go to school for training to use saying "Well, look, ours is free...so if you can stand to take two years to grind its backwards way of doing things into your head, you won't have to use those expensive programs anymore." This is nonsense! Professionals don't have the time for this. They'll keep using Max, Maya, or Lightwave (etc). People who are completely new to 3D may be more apt to pick up Blender, but these people must be completely new to computing in general because there is very little that Blender does which is "normal" by any definition in UI design compared to ANY program.
Unfortunately the devs seem completely close minded to the possibilities that would be opened up by adopting (as an option) a new interface. Bringing on industry talent, opening a path for other new users looking for cheap alternatives, and completely new to 3D people. Unless somebody forks the project, rips the UI code out, and builds something new, I don't think it will ever get any better...and its very unfortunate.
Reply