Nate Austin

Host Teams: Jason Schatz, Anne Ortega

For my project, I want to work through some blender tutorials and to make a 2d figure, a 3d figure, and either a reflective or transparent figure. As I work through the tutorial, I will make an annotated tutorial of helpful additions and shortcuts designed to expedite a new user to the same blender capabilities as myself.

Milestone 1: Work through "Blender 3D: Noob to Pro" to the point of being able to complete the remaining milestones
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro

DWP Comments:
List the topics that you covered in the tutorial - how far did you get?
Are there any images that you produced as part of doing the tutorial that you can post here?

I ended up stopping with the tutorial when it got into bones due to it getting into things more complex or just plain irrelevant to my purpose. I will say the tutorial was necessary but misguided at times. I guess this is where my annotated tutorial comes in though.

I'll post the few basic models made in the tutorial when I'm back on my home pc. It's just a basic person and a house.

Milestone 2: Create 2D and 3D figures

NOTHING HERE as of 5/1/11 DWP

Milestone 3: Create reflective and transparent figures

NOTHING HERE as of 5/1/11 DWP

Milestone 4: Complete annotated tutorial

I followed the Blender: Noob to Pro tutorial found here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro


My annotated tutorial is designed to use this tutorial while giving you quick references to expedite your learning process. The learning process starts with describing 3d coordinate systems with rotations, transformations, and scaling. If you're unfamiliar with any of this or could use a refresher on how they work, go to this link:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/3D_Geometry


The blender tutorial uses a specific notation found at this link below. With this, you'll be able to comprehend exactly what their abbreviations for keys mean. It's fairly intuitive but it's still a good idea to review them.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Keystroke,_Button,_and_Menu_Notation


This tutorial offers specific tips for non standard equipment and Mac/Linux systems here. If you have windows, and a 3 button mouse with a numpad, then skip this section.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Non-standard_equipment
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Operating_System_specific_notes


The next several pages are just designed to get the user used to their new interface. It's a bit daunting at first but it's actually quite beautifully designed once you use it. If you are curious about customizing the user interface now or later, read these more carefully. If not, just lightly read through to know what you're about to be using. Stop when you get to the View Windows section.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Blender_Interface


The view windows section begins to get into the main window of the program. Familiarize yourself with the window as you proceed through the tutorial.

###This page has EVERYTHING that you'll need to know. Fall back here if you don't remember how to maneuver through the interface. Chances are, it's here.###

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/3D_View_Windows


The next page basically tells you this:
"Which leads us to the difference between the two object duplication commands, SHIFT + D and ALT + D : the former duplicates both the object datablocks and the object data datablocks (though this can be controlled in your User Preferences), while the latter only duplicates the object datablock. What that means is that in the first case the two objects are truly independent, but in the second case the new object continues to share the same object data datablock so a change in one will result in a change in both of them. So, for instance, if you use ALT + D on a mesh object and edit the vertices, edges or faces on one copy, the other copy will also be affected."

In short,
Shift+D will create an independent copy of your selection
Alt+D will create a copy that will change all other "Alt+D" copies of itself, including the original

Don't bother reading the rest unless you're enamored with memory management.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Blender_Memory_Management


This page and the next few to follow will walk you through, step by step, on how to make a model of a house. I stopped after that but you're free to create the person model after. You'll be more than capable of getting your hands dirty with your own models after the house though.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/What_is_a_Mesh%3F

Remember, if you're lost on controls go here!
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/3D_View_Windows


The materials tab on the properties window has all the functionality you'll need to add color, transparancy, and reflectivity to your materials. The tuturial didn't really emphasize it's importance. I'm sure you'll find it very intuitive as most of the settings are just on sliders to change color intesity, alpha levels and reflectivity.

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