Creche Masters - A young Obi-Wan fic

This is really cool!! And I want to crush my fist right into Xanatos' face for calling lil' Obi that way! Qui you should kick that brat out and keep Obi! Who's with me?

 

Saeed-

To resize along an axis, use S + middle mouse button. Find a complete list of mouse and keystroke commands here (I found it today and printed it out, what a difference it makes!) http://home.iae.nl/users/exwhale/blender/main/hot.html http://home.iae.nl/users/exwhale/blender/main/hot.html

Hope that helps!
-Lokmer

 

Saeed-
For your inspiration. More really great blender examples: http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=452 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=452
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=101 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=101
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=452 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=452
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=105 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=105
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=103 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=103
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=104 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=104

And, for the coup de Gras, look at Galerie II on this site http://ellipse.3d.free.fr/index.html http://ellipse.3d.free.fr/index.html

-Lokmer

[This message has been edited by lokmer (edited 06-24-2000).]

 

I also decided to give Blender my best shot.

its has many great features(so I've read), but the only bad thing about it is that the GUI is really, really hard for Windows(dunno about Mac) users to figure out.

wish me luck

Batman

 

Perhaps I'd better frontload the Blender resources here so anyone reading here will have an idea how to get started blendering.
To download blender (and some documentation and tuts): http://www.blender.nl http://www.blender.nl

To learn about the interface, check out the following program: http://home.swipnet.se/glow3d/hotkey.html http://home.swipnet.se/glow3d/hotkey.html

To learn the hotkeys and all the mouse commands, print this document: http://home.iae.nl/users/exwhale/blender/main/hot.html http://home.iae.nl/users/exwhale/blender/main/hot.html

For a long long list of tutorials (the best way to learn): http://redrival.com/rash/links.htm http://redrival.com/rash/links.htm

For support or answers to questions that are beyond my (limited) abilities, go here: http://www.blender.nl/news-blender http://www.blender.nl/news-blender and search the archives or ask a question (no registration)


I *think* that covers everything.
-Lokmer

 

Okay! Thanks for the links, Lokmer - some truly great stuff for us to bookmark.

Batman - Nice to have you on board, we both seem to be in the same boat as far as Blender is concerned. For those who don't know, Batman is a talented young man who OWNS a copy of 3D Studio Max - and designs web sites by day, fighting crime by night...

Let me start by sharing a few of my initial feelings about Blender...

My first impression, like many others, was that of total bewilderment. It's like sitting in the cockpit of a jet plane - there are just so many controls, all right there in front of you. Several tentative clicks, and yet more buttons show...

I quickly realised that if I was to get anywhere with this, I couldn't use my normal method of 'trial and error' as I had done in the past (I have no formal qualifications in 3D design). I got a few basic tutorials, and began to take it from the top...

Overall, the tutorials I used were good - many of them will vary in quality as they're done by blender users. I started with one which just explained some of the interface, and had a quickstart to rendering a cube.

I found mostly good but some bad points with what I had learnt. The good included the use of the numeric keypad for manipulating the view window. This gives you good speedy control of your modelling window, without having to have the traditional top/left/right/camera 4 window setup (which you can have if you want).

The bad - for me - was the way one manipulates objects. Some aspects of this were good, such as being able to rotate and scale objects with keyboard modifiers (avoiding the need for separate scale/rotate tools).
What I felt was not so good was the way that instead of a simple icon to click for a primitive shape, you have to make several key presses and mouse movements. The idea behind keyboard 'shortcuts' is that it should save your mouse movements and time, not add to them. On the plus side, at least you can read what you need from the pop-up menu - some packages I'v seen use trendy abstract icon buttons, and you can't always tell what they are supposed to represent.

Another slight irritant was the inconsistency of simple grabbing and moving objects. Perhaps this method will grow on me later, but instead of being able to simply click and drag an object you have to first RIGHT click your object, then press G to 'grab' it, then move it and then LEFT click to release the object. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but being primarily a mac user ( I'm used to only one mouse button) this method seems unnecessarily complex - particurlarly regarding the opposite mouse buttons...if you right click to release, the object will revert to where it was grabbed from, so careful attention is needed. I suppose I'll get used to it. I'm trying to get myself a three button mouse (they're not as common as they use to be) because I'm told there are several features which having a middle mouse button proves very useful. Maybe this method is so you can revert to its original place should you change your mind half way through moving...

Anyway, after that, setting up a light and doing a quick render with the Fkeys was actually a lot easier. Not having to constantly go to a menu to change to tools for rotating etc, does save time. By default, adding a lamp from the spacebar pop-up menu results in a point light (which BTW is represented by a small circle with a line dropping straight down to your floor grid, so you can see from any angle the relative distnce your light is from your objects - clever), and it's a simple button click away to change it into a spotlight, which can be angled using the same object rotation method. I must say, the bottom panel of buttons is growing on me. It may not look as pretty as the GUI on other packages, but I suppose once you're familiar with where the main buttons are, its a lot quicker than navigating thru various submenus and dialog boxes. I passed my first 'flying lesson'!!

"Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking... fasten your seatbelts, and get ready for take off!"

We

 

Lokmer, I'm looking forward to seeing something you've done with Blender. Maybe you could animate some of those SW meshes by assigning them to a path (like I do with my ships) and render out a couple of little MPEG's, or maybe even a good old DivX avi? I'm curious to see how they look. So far, out of all the Blender images and movies I've seen, there hasn't really been any good sci fi stuff.

Of course, I still love Hash, but the idea of free programs can be very appealing. I have this free music app called Buzz ( http://www.buzztrack.com) and it's amazing. You can do so much with it. And there's a massive library of instruments and fx machines that users have created for it. The sound of it is brilliant aswell. Really tight.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Avene:
...So far, out of all the Blender images and movies I've seen, there hasn't really been any good sci fi stuff...

Hi Avene, I wondered when you were going to join in!

What you just said were my sentiments exactly, though one of the links above (I forget which one) is a superb X-wing image. It's just a question of the flight path and animating from then on. As soon as I get competent enough, I'll try and do tests like that myself...

Anyway, another update...Well, I tried another 'basic' tutorial, but it didn't have a happy ending, I'm afraid...

It was supposed to be for making a simple building. I got through a couple of steps, then it got all messed up - I got the feeling that the guy forgot to mention a couple of intermediate steps...

On a positive note, however, I have now learnt how to draw basic profiles and extrude them, so it's not all bad news. Perhaps I'll try another similar tutorial soon...

Saeed TTC

 

Okay, my mistake, he actually posted the X-wing link on my TTC thread...

Here it is for you:
http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=362 http://www.blendermania.com/gallery/display.php3?ImgID=362

It really is very good...

Saeed TTC

 

Saeed, you and Lokmer must be here all day, always so quick to respond! And I thought I was bad enough with this cable modem keeping my computer connected at all times.

An X-Wing you say? Hmmm, I had a look at some of the pics, and they all looked quite nice. Infact of lot interior design, or building designs look well done using Blender. I guess buildings must be Blender's thing, where as charactors are what Hash gets use for most, and space craft for Lightwave.

I can imagine how difficult those Blender tutes must be. I never got past the interface one with the circle in the middle.. or something like that. I'll probably give it a try one day again, when I'm read for a 'real challenge'.

Infact, I got one of those Maya 30 day demos and had a different problem whilst going through the tutorials. The damn program kept crashing! I eventually gave up. Not that my computer couldn't handle it, but the program seemed heavily bug ridden. There were a lot of little quirks. Well, I guess you can't expect too much from an app that costs $14995 here in Australia. Infact, I'm sure they put all those bugs in there on purpose, so you'll end up paying out the $5000 for full tech support aswell.

Hmmm, does the old Blender Crash much?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Avene:
Saeed, you and Lokmer must be here all day, always so quick to respond!...

heh, yeah,... I'm a lonely guy...

To blender's credit, I've found it very stable. Perhaps that's partly because it's a very small program, or maybe it's just 'cos I can't do a damn thing with it!

When I get to the stage of importing/creating complicated models, then we'll see how stable it really is...

Saeed TTC

 

Oh yeah, that's an alright X Wing. Here's a pic of a battle droid model done in Hash. The model is freely available aswell.
http://www.hash.com/ftp/pub/gallery/0282.jpg http://www.hash.com/ftp/pub/gallery/0282.jpg

Also, here's one of my favourite Hash pics which was done in version 4 of the software. They're up to version 8.5 now, it does so much more.
http://www.avalanchesoftware.com/images/ship.jpg http://www.avalanchesoftware.com/images/ship.jpg

It's a great program. I'd even suggest that Lokmer check it out. Sure, you have to pay for it, but it lets you do so much and is easy and fun to use.

 

Yeah, Avene, they were very good... I suppose most programs can do pretty much the same sort of stuff if the user tries hard enough/works long eough. But the key element missing in Blender, like you say, is the ease of use, and yes - the fun!

Just from looking at the Hash site, I could tell it would be pleasant and rewarding in use, it's just that any program that is FREE has a big advantage for me, which is why I'm looking at Blender and giving it a 'fair trial'. Every software has the right to a fair trial, and to an attorney...!

I honestly feel that if I don't make some headway with Blender pretty soon, that I will end up putting some hard cash down for Hash...we'll see.

BTW do you know if you can get demo's of Hash anywhere?

Saeed TTC

[This message has been edited by Saeed (edited 06-24-2000).]

 

great news guys, last night i successfully made a sphere in blender. The only problem is that it looked 2D, and would not render. oh well, i guess must keep on going.
BTW lokmer, thanks for the link to that page with all the blender shortcuts. it really helped me with that sphere .

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>for those of you who don't know, Batman, is a talented young man who OWNS a copy of 3D Studio Max - and designs web sites by day, fighting crime by night...

Now is I could only be multi-billionaire, I would spend more time on learning MAX.

Thanks for the complement though. Hopefully, I can d/l all the great TFN Films I have been hearing about when I go to work on Monday.

Batman

 

Well, Saeed, it's good to see you beginning to fall to the dark side! I can imagine the mouse thing would be a pain for a mac user. The right button deselect option is so that you can change your mind halfway through doing something (necessary since the only way to create an undo with blender is to hit TAB twice before the action you might want to undo). If you don't want to hit G to move something though, hold down the left mouse button and drag for a pixel or two, then let it up and your object will track with your mouse. To release and plant it in a new location just click the LMB once more.
-Lokmer

 

Holy halogen lights, Batman!

Don't forget - in Blender, the environment is in a vacuum as it were... that is, there is no light and no ambient daylight by default. That's why you can't see anything.

Use the space bar pop-up, and select add &gt; lamp. Move it into position and left click to place. Hit F12 for a quick render. You should see something now...

I discovered that just two days ago, and now I'm able to pass on my wisdom. See why I started this thread? Keep up the good work, Batman, Gotham city is safe in your hands...

Saeed TTC

 

Well, Avene, it's like this. I don't make a habit of spending money on software. I've found that, with computers, anything worth doing is worth doing (legally) for free or close to it. BTW, I do have that Battle Droid STAP model, one of these days I'll texture it and upload it. In the meantime, you can check out the following blender items done by me.
1) Cover art for a radio drama I'm producing: http://artisticwhispers.homestead.com/files/wcw.html http://artisticwhispers.homestead.com/files/wcw.html
2) The BFTZ trailer (closing titles and explosions/blast waves done in Blender): http://artisticwhispers.homestead.com/files/trailer.rm http://artisticwhispers.homestead.com/files/trailer.rm

BTW: I've only had Blender crash on me once, that was while rendering a 4000 frame opening crawl while browsing the web on a java-intensive sight, playing a video game, and listening to a RealAudio Program all at the same time. It crashed after it was done rendering (so I still got my movie out of the deal).

BTWagain: Welcome aboard Avene and Batman!
-Lokmer

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lokmer:
...the only way to create an undo with blender is to hit TAB twice before the action you might want to undo...

&lt;GASP&gt; You have GOT to be kidding!

My usual method for learning is to try something and if it doesn't work, undo - and try again...

I kept looking out for 'undo' in my adventures with Blender, but - no undo! I mean, one wouldn't normarily expect multiple undo's but no undo at all!? What, like, you blender boys never make mistakes?

This is part of the reason I gave up on that last tutorial. You get yourself in too deep, then realise it's better to bail out than go down with the ship. I don't know if I can live without undo...

Lokmer, before I get too disappointed, please explain this 'tab-tab' method, and whether it applies to all actions, etc...

I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out... &lt;GULP!&gt;

Saeed TTC

 

Okay, well, I sort of lied. There are four types of undo in Blender:
1) The ubiquitous TabTab method (which I've heard about but never gotten to work).

2) My favorite of the three: Save your work after you've done something cool. This doesn't take long, just hit F2 and then Enter twice. To reload your last saved file, just hit F1 and Enter twice. I find this one works very well, gives me the freedom to really screw around with stuff until I find something I like. This one works well for me because, being a tech, I trust computers about as far as I could comfortably spit out a rat, so I save my work religiously anyway.

3)Historical Undo. Blender saves backup copies every so many actions in numbered files in your default directory (whatever directory your current .blend file is in, or your root directory if it's a new file). If you really hose something you can go and reload the most recent one (look at the time stamp).

4) Actual undo. In edit mode (i.e. when you're editing a mesh/curve/nurb and the vertices are editable) hitting u will revert your mesh to the state it was when you entered edit mode. This one is also very useful.

Hope that helps!
-Lokmer

 

thanks for the help Saeed. I will get on that pretty soon.

hmm... I wonder if I could model the batmobile in Blender.

Maybe if the batcomputer had more RAM.

good luck Blendering

[edit] wow, I was scrolling through the posts to make sure mine was showing up, and I click on the pic of the X-wing. its awsome. Who made that thing? and is it "blendered"? [/edit]

Batman

[This message has been edited by Batman (edited 06-24-2000).]

 

heh, at the rate we keep posting, this thread looks like it'll be 'top of the charts' for a good while to come!

Lokmer - well, okay, that seems to be a lot more comforting, if not quite a fully featured undo.

BTW, I'm getting a little more confident with experimenting without tutes. Extruding is one of the simplest methods of modelling, and one that I use a lot. I've dicovered the bezier circles, and can now extrude them with ease. This means I could be pretty close to doing your sabre in Blender!

Do you happen to know if Blender can lathe? I'm thinking about your sabre, and because of the ridges, I reckon it would be better to draw a profile of the sabre and then lathe it. Also, can i do a profile as vector art (in corel draw etc) and import into blender for lathing?

Either way, I think I'll be able to have a working model of your sabre by tomorrow. Then, I'll take a quick look at materials!

Don't miss tomorrow's exciting episode!

Saeed TTC

PS How are you enjoying this 'mini-series' so far? has it got enough drama, suspense, and cliffhangers for you...?

[This message has been edited by Saeed (edited 06-24-2000).]

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>PS How are you enjoying this 'mini-series' so far? has it got enough drama, suspense, and cliffhangers for you...?

Actually, the characters seem a little dull.

*runs and hides in a cave*

Kurt Luther
Affiliation Pending

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Geneva,Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MaxVeers:
Actually, the characters seem a little dull...

Hmmm... I have to agree with you there - there's no romantic intrigue at all. A little humour, perhaps, but not enough dramatic tension to keep the average viewer from switching channels...

Saeed TTC

PS I'm going back to blender for a while, guys - see you all in an hour or two...

 

The X-wing was done by one of the guys over at Blendermania (not sure who), he handpainted the textures in PaintShopPro 6.0 and imported them into Blender.

Now, Lathing..here are a few Howto's http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15449 http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15449

and here http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15436 http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15436

and here http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15440 http://www.blender.nl/news-blender/shw_item.ws?di_id=15440

I've never actually done this one before, so I can't be sure this is the answer you were looking for, does this help (BTW, I found all of these doing a keyword search on the Blender NEws archive, keyword "lathe". News archive is at http://www.blender.nl/news-blender http://www.blender.nl/news-blender )

Hope this helps
-Lokmer

 

Another question guys....

where do the rendered files go?

I tried to render the sphere(i got the lights to work), and I can't find where it went

Thanks,

Batman