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| author | Thomas Dinges <blender@dingto.org> | 2009-11-22 18:19:18 +0300 |
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| committer | Thomas Dinges <blender@dingto.org> | 2009-11-22 18:19:18 +0300 |
| commit | 8a50bcb163939f4e5b8f2712671d4f133c956d52 (patch) | |
| tree | 0eed52e533fa8a8029e12b70c9c2c25b5673cf7e /release/text | |
| parent | 1d7e4e84d0b7c605a3dafc0638492c040f8c6e20 (diff) | |
* Update of the blender.html. Still lacks a bit, but better than before. Everyone, feel free to improve.
Diffstat (limited to 'release/text')
| -rw-r--r-- | release/text/blender.html | 1075 |
1 files changed, 559 insertions, 516 deletions
diff --git a/release/text/blender.html b/release/text/blender.html index 30c8f0b0dc2..21e3900da0e 100644 --- a/release/text/blender.html +++ b/release/text/blender.html @@ -1,516 +1,559 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"> -<html> -<head> - <title>A brief introduction to Blender</title> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> - <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Quanta Plus"> -</head> -<body> - -<h1 align="center"><a name="top">Blender v2.4x series</a></h1> -<br> -<ol> - <li><a href="#intro">About</a></li> - <li><a href="#pack">Package Contents and Install</a></li> - <li><a href="#start">Getting Started:</a></li> - <ol> - <li><a href="#start_run">Running</a></li> - <li><a href="#start_1st">First steps</a>, -<a href="#start_3dview">The 3d View</a></li> - </ol> - <li><a href="#resources">Resources</a></li> - <li><a href="#trouble">Troubleshooting</a></li> - <li><a href="#faq">(FAQ) A few remarks</a></li> -</ol> - -<h2><a name="intro">1. About</a></h2> - -<p>Welcome to the world of <a href="http://www.blender.org">Blender</a>! -The program you have now in your hands is a free and fully functional 3D -modeling, animation, rendering, compositing, video editing and game creation suite. It is available for -Unix-based (Linux, Mac OS X, etc.) and Windows systems and has a large -world-wide community.</p> - -<p>Blender is free to be applied for any purpose, including commercial usage and -distribution. It's free and open-source software, released under the GNU GPL -licence. The full program sources are available on our website.</p> - -<p>For impatient readers, here the two most important links:</p> -<a href="http://www.blender.org">www.blender.org</a> the main website<br> -<a href="http://wiki.blender.org">wiki.blender.org</a> the documentation website<br> - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -<h2><a name="pack">2. Package Contents and Install</a></h2> - -<p>This is what you should get from a downloaded Blender package:</p> - -<ul> - <li>The Blender program for some specific platform;</li> - <li>This text, with links and the copyright notice;</li> - <li>A basic set of scripts, including importers and exporters to other 3d - formats.</li> -</ul> - -<p>The latest version for all supported platforms can always be found at the -main Blender site, along with documentation, sample .blend files, many scripts, -plugins and more.</p> - -<p>If you are interested in the development of the program, information for -coders and the CVS repository with the sources can be found at the -<a href="http://www.blender.org/development/">developer's section of the site.</a></p> - -<h3><a name="start_install">Installation notes:</a></h3> - -<p>Installing is mostly a matter of executing a self-installer package or unpacking it to -some folder. Blender has a minimum of system dependencies (like OpenGL and SDL), and doesn't -install by overwriting libraries in your system. There are also some extra -files needed for a good install, like an antialiased font and standard python scripts, but these -are optional. Typically these will go to your HOME/.blender/ -directory. Below you find instructions for it per OS. -</p> - -<p><b>Windows:</b> the .exe installer handles registry of file types for you. The .zip download has -a .blender directory included, which can be manually copied.<br> -The directory .blender is located by Blender while checking the following list:<br> -- whether environment variable HOME exists, <br> -- or, if environment USERPROFILE exists, and the installer has created there the Application Data\Blender Foundation\Blender\ -directory, <br> -- or it uses the .blender directory from the installation directory (where blender.exe resides) <br> -Also note that Blender comes with two dll files, which have to reside next to blender.exe.</p> - -<p><b>Linux, FreeBSD, Irix, Solaris:</b> after unpacking the distribution, you can copy the .blender -directory from it to your home directory. </p> - -<p><b>OSX:</b> the .blender directory is in Blender.app/Contents/Resources/. This is being located -by default. If you like to alter some of the files, copy this directory to your home dir.</p> - -<p><b>Other settings:</b><br> -There are many paths you can set in Blender itself, to tell it where to -look for your collections of texture and sound files, fonts, plugins and -additional scripts, besides where it should save rendered images, temporary -data, etc. If you're only starting, there's no need to worry about this now. -</p> - -<p><b>Python:</b><br> -Some downloaded scripts may require extra Python modules not shipped with -Blender. Installing the whole Python distribution is a way to solve this -issue for most cases except scripts that require extensions (3rd party -modules), but we are starting to add more modules to Blender itself so that -most scripts don't depend on full Python installs anymore. This is mostly -about Windows, in other platforms Python is usually a standard component -nowadays, so unless there's a version mismatch or an incomplete py -installation, there should be no problems.</p> - -<p>Even if you do have the right version of Python installed you may need to -tell the embedded Python interpreter where the installation is. To do that -it's enough to set a system variable called PYTHON to the full path to the -stand-alone Python executable (to find out execute "import sys; print -sys.executable" inside the stand-alone interpreter, not in Blender). To check -which Python was linked to your Blender binary, execute "import sys; print -sys.version" at Blender's text editor), it's probably 2.5.something -- only the -two first numbers should have to match with yours.</p> - - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -<h2><a name="start">3. Getting Started</a></h2> - -<p>Blender's main strength is at modeling, animating and rendering 3d -scenes, from simple cubes and monkey heads to the complex environments found in -videogames and movies with computer graphics (CG) art.</p> - -<p><strong>Rendering</strong> is the process of generating 2d images from 3d -data (basically lit 3d models) as if viewed by a virtual camera. In simple -terms, rendering is like taking a picture of the scene, but with many more -ways to influence the results. Blender comes with a very flexible renderer -and is well integrated with the open source YafRay package. There are also -scripts to export to other popular third party renderers like Povray and -Renderman compliant ones. By <strong>animating</strong> the data and rendering -pictures of each successive frame, movie sequences can be created.</p> - -<p>In <strong>compositing</strong> a set of techniques is used to add effects -to rendered images and combine these into a single frame. This is how, for -example, artists add laser beams, glows and dinosaurs to motion -pictures. Blender also has builtin -support for video sequence editing and sound synchronization.</p> - -<p>The <strong>game engine</strong> inside Blender lets users create and play -nifty 3d games, complete with 3d graphics, sound, physics and scripted rules. -</p> - -<p>Via <strong>scripting</strong> the program's functionality can be automated -and extended in real-time with important new capabilities. True displacement -mapping, for example, is now part of the core program, but before that it was -already possible using scripts. Since they are written in a nice higher-level -programming language -- <a href="http://www.python.org">Python</a> in our case --- development is considerably faster and easier than normal C/C++ coding. -Naturally, they run slower than compiled code, but still fast enough for -<em>many</em> purposes or for mixed approaches like some plugins use.</p> - -<h3><a name="start_run">Running:</a></h3> - -<p>Depending on your platform, the installation may have put an icon on your -desktop and a menu entry for Blender. If not, it's not hard to do that -yourself for your favorite window manager.</p> - -<p>But for more flexibility, you can execute Blender from a shell window or -command-line prompt. Try "blender -h" to see all available options.</p> - -<p>Blender saves data in its own custom binary format, using ".blend" as -extension. The default start-up configuration is saved in a file in your home directory called -.B.blend. To save your changes to it, click on -<strong>File->Save Default Settings</strong> or use the Control+u shortcut -directly.</p> - -<h3><a name="start_1st">First steps:</a></h3> - -<p>This is the point where we stop and warn newcomers that 3d Computer -Graphics is a vast field and Blender has a lot of packed functionality. -If you already tried to run it and fell victim to the "too many buttons!" -syndrome, just relax and <a href="#faq_2">read this part</a> of the F.A.Q. </p> - -<p>Hoping the explanations helped, let's start Blender and take a look at it. -At the top header you can see the main menu. Under "File" you'll find entries -to save, load and quit. If <em>someone</em> ever messes with your workspace -and you can't find your way around: use the menu <strong>File->Load Factory settings</strong>.</p> - -<p>Blender's screen is divided in "areas". Each of them has a top or bottom -header and can show any of the available builtin applications (called "spaces", -like the 3d View, the Text Editor, etc). If you started with a default -configuration, there should now be three areas: -</p> - -<ul> - <li>A thin strip at the top where you can see the header of the <strong>User -Preferences Window</strong> (its header is also Blender's main menu);</li> - <li>A big one in the middle with the <strong>3d View</strong>, where you -model and preview your scenes;</li> - <li>A smaller at the bottom with the <strong>Buttons Window</strong>, where -you add and configure most of your scene data.</li> -</ul> - -<p>These are the three most important spaces, at least when you are starting. -At the left corner of each header you can find the "Window Types" button, -which is like the "Start" buttom of many desktop environments. Clicking on -it lets you change what is shown in that area.</p> - -<p><strong>Highly configurable workspace</strong></p> - -<p>Blender's interface has been considerably improved for the 2.3x series. -Besides the goals of exposing functionality via menus and adding tooltips -for all buttons, there are even more ways now to change your workspace.</p> - -<p>As before, areas can be resized, subdivided in two or joined; headers can -be moved to the top or bottom of an area or hidden completely. Just experiment -to find out how, it's trivial. Hint: the mouse cursor changes to a double arrow -when it is over the inter-area edges.</p> - -<p>There should be a button with "SCR:" in the top header. It has some preset -workspaces that can be tried now for a tour of the possibilities. When you -change your current setup to something worth keeping, that same button has the -option to save the new screen.</p> - -<p>Since version 2.30 Blender lets users define new color themes that can also -be shared with others when saved in the default startup .B.blend file.</p> - -<p>The User Preferences space has many options there that you may want to -tweak, like turning button tooltips on/off, setting paths, etc. Just remember -to save your configuration if you want to keep it for the next session). -Since these preferences are not saved in regular .blend files, the presets will -retain working even when loading files from others. Note however, that the arrangement -of the UI itself - its screens and windows - are always saved in each file. -</p> - -<h3><a name="start_3dview">The 3d View:</a></h3> - -<p><strong>Mouse buttons and the toolbox</strong></p> - -<p>Pressing the SPACEBAR or Shift+a while the mouse pointer is inside a 3d -View space will open up the toolbox. The toolbox gives you faster access to -many functions, like adding new objects to your scene, editing their properties, -selecting and so on.</p> - -<p>This is how the mouse buttons work in this space: -<ul> - <li>Left button: anchor the 3d cursor in a new location -- it defines where -your next added object will appear, among other things.</li> - <li>Right button: selection. If you hold it and move, you can move the -selected item around.</li> - <li>Middle button: 3d space rotation or translation -- choose which one in -one of the User Preferences tabs.</li> -</ul> -Combinations of mouse buttons and Shift or Control will give you additional -options like zooming, panning and restricted movement. 3d scenes can be seen -from any position and orientation, but there are some default ones you can -reach with Numpad buttons or the "View" menu in the 3d View's header.</p> - -<p><strong>Edit Mode</strong></p> - -<p>When you want to edit the vertices of a mesh, for example, it's necessary to -select the object and enter "Edit Mode", either using the 3d View header "Mode" -button or by pressing TAB on your keyboard (press it again to return to object -mode).</p> - -<p><strong>And this was only the beginning ...</strong></p> - -<p>The above guidelines should have given new users enough to start playing -with the interface. The next section lists online references that can actually teach about 3d and this program, but it's a good idea to spend some time just -playing with Blender, looking at menus and finding what mouse actions do in -each space.</p> - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -<h2><a name="resources">4. Resources</a></h2> - -<ul> - <li><a href="http://www.blender.org">www.blender.org</a> - the general site, with documentation and downloads</li> - <li><a href="http://www.blenderartists.org">www.blenderartists.org</a> - the main user community web site</li> - <li><a href="http://projects.blender.org">projects.blender.org</a> - the project's site</li> -</ul> - -<p>This short presentation is meant to guide newcomers to Blender through their -<em>very first</em> steps, giving directions to where you can find the -resources you will need. We can't teach you 3D in these few lines of text, -that would take a lengthy book.</p> - -<p>Irc users are invited to try #blenderchat on irc.freenode.net .</p> - -<p>There are also local Blender community sites in some countries, that should -be listed at the Community section of the main site.</p> - -<p>If you are a coder wanting to get in touch with Blender development, a good read -is the "Get Involved" page at <a href="http://www.blender.org/community/get-involved/">www.blender.org</a>. A -good way to start is to follow the mailing lists for a while and check bug -reports, to see if you can fix one. On irc.freenode.net: #blendercoders you'll find many active developers, here also the weekly meetings take place.</p> - -<h3><a name="resources_xtra">Other useful links</a></h3> - -<p>In the realm of open-source cg programs, it's a pleasure to mention other -great projects that can help you achieve your visions. Note that these -programs are completely independent from Blender and have their own sites, -documentation and support channels. Note also that this list is not complete -and should be updated on future versions of this text.</p> - -<dl> - <dt><a href="http://www.gimp.org">The Gimp</a></dt> - <dd>The mighty GNU Image Manipulation Program. In 3d work it is a valuable -resource to create, convert and, of course, manipulate texture images. -It is also useful for work with rendered pictures, for example to add 2d text, -logos or to touch-up, apply factory or hand-made effects and compose with other -images.</dd> - -</dl> - -<h4>Renderers:</h4> - -<dl> - <dt><a href="http://www.yafray.org">YafRay</a></dt> - <dd>A currently inactive but very impressive program. Blender has builtin -support for it.</dd> - <dt><a href="http://www.povray.org">Povray</a></dt> - <dd>One of the best and most popular renderers in the world. There is a -script to export Blender scenes to be rendered with it.</dd> - <dt><a href="https://renderman.pixar.com">Renderman-compliant:</a> -open-source: <a href="http://www.aqsis.org">Aqsis</a>, -<a href="http://pixie.sf.net">Pixie</a>. Closed-source: -<a href="http://www.3delight.com">3delight</a>.</dt> - <dd>The Renderman spec was created by Pixar years ago to define both a -standard and powerful representation of 3d data for renderers and the expected -quality of the renderization itself. Think about 3d art from some movie -- it -was much probably created by Pixar's own Photorealistic Renderman (PRMan) -renderer. This is a good site to learn more: -<a href="http://www.rendermanacademy.com">The Renderman Academy</a>. Neither -Pixar nor its products are affiliated with Blender.</dd> -</dl> - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -<h2><a name="trouble">5. Troubleshooting</a></h2> - -<p>If something isn't working, please read this entire section before looking -for help.</p> - -<ul> - <li><a href="#trouble_gen">General start-up and usage problems</a></li> - <li><a href="#trouble_vdo">Video card blues</a></li> - <li><a href="#trouble_py">Scripts</a></li> - <li><a href="#trouble_bugt">The Bug Tracker</a></li> -</ul> - -<h3><a name="trouble_gen">General start-up and usage problems</a></h3> - -<p>If the program crashes or something isn't working properly, try running -Blender in <strong>debug mode:</strong> execute it as "blender -d" from a -command prompt. This might give some info about what is wrong. There are also -other options that might be useful, "blender -h" lists all of them.<br> -Most likely an immediate crash is due to Blender's need for a compliant and -stable working OpenGL.</p> - -<h3><a name="trouble_vdo">Video card blues</a></h3> - -<p>Although OpenGL is cherished as an excellent cross platform library, the enormous -growth of different 3D cards have made this a complicated affair for Blender. Unlike -other programs - or 3D games - Blender utilizes OpenGL for its entire GUI, including -buttons and pulldown menus. That means also the 2D options for OpenGL should -work good, something easily ignored or badly tested by 3D card manufacturors, who -target more at the latest SFX features for new 3D games.<br> -In general Blender performs -very well on 3D cards from renowned brands, such as NVidia, ATI or 3DLabs.</p> - - -<h3><a name="trouble_py">Scripts</a></h3> - -<p>To be sure that some functionality is scripted: all scripts in Blender can -be accessed from the "Scripts" menu in the Scripts Window's header, even if the -same functionality is also in another menu somewhere. If you see an entry in -one of the submenus there, it refers to a script. Please don't report problems -with scripts to the bug tracker or other normal Blender channels. You should -find the author's site or contact email in the script's text itself, but -usually the Python & Plugins forum at -<a href="http://www.blenderartists.org">Blenderartists.org</a> is used for posting -announcements, questions, suggestions and bug reports related to scripts. It's -the recommended place to look first, specially if no site was specified at the -script's window or source file(s).</p> -<p>If some or all scripts that should appear in menus are not there, running -Blender in <a href="#trouble_gen">debug mode </a> can possibly inform what is -wrong. Make sure the reported dir(s) really exist.</p> - -<h3><a name="trouble_bugt">The Bug Tracker</a></h3> - -<p>If you really think you found a new bug in Blender, check the Bug Tracker -entries at <a href="http://projects.blender.org/tracker/?atid=125&group_id=9&func=browse">the projects site</a> and if -it was not reported yet, please log in (or register) and fill in detailed -information about the error. A small .blend file or script (if it is a problem -with the Blender Python API) showcasing the bug can help a lot.</p> - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -<h2><a name="faq">6. (FAQ) A few remarks</a></h2> - -<ol> - <li><a href="#faq_1">Quick tips.</a></li> - <li><a href="#faq_2">What's up with the interface?</a></li> - <li><a href="#faq_3">How good is Blender? How does it compare to other 3d -programs?</a></li> - <li><a href="#faq_4">Something doesn't work, what do I do?</a></li> -</ol> - -<h3><a name="faq_1">Quick tips:</a></h3> - -<p><strong>Rendering</strong>: to see something when you render (F12) an image, -make sure the scene has a camera pointing at your models (camera view is -NumPad 0) and at least one light properly placed. Otherwise you'll only get a -black rectangle.</p> - -<p>Setting texture map input to "uv" in the Material Buttons window is not enough -to assign a texture image and uv data to a mesh. It's necessary to select the mesh, -enter edit mode, indicate face selection mode (modes can be accessed in the 3d view's header), load an -image in the UV/Image Editor window and then define a mapping (or unwrapping). Only then -the mesh will have uv data available for exporting.</p> - -<p>If you want the fastest possible access to Blender's functionality, remember -what a <cite>wise power user</cite> wrote: "keep one hand on the keyboard -and the other on the mouse". Learn and use the shortcuts, configure your -workspace to your needs.</p> - -<h3><a name="faq_2">What's up with the interface?</a></h3> - -<p>Blender uses a couple of innovative paradigms in the UI, not following more common, somewhat standard rules for user -interfaces. In the past years several of our interface concepts have been adopted in more programs though, -especially using a configurable non-overlapping subdivision layout and the paradigm to never block the UI from working by -offering all editors and options in parallel. <br> -Typically free programs offer easy-to-use interfaces for large audiences. Blender however is, like other high-end 3D tools, -meant to be a powerful production tool for professionals and 3D enthusiasts, for people who are dedicated to become 3D artists with enough time -and motivation to master the software. <br> -This also has its origins in the 90ies, when Blender was born as an in-house studio tool, optimized to speed up daily heavy -work, and not to please everyone. But it's true that you can consider Blender's interface -to be not very newbie-friendly. Luckily you only have to learn it once, and once you get the basics it'll feel like 2nd nature!</p> - -<p>Blender also has been considerably -improved since the 2.3x series, exposing most functionality via menus, adding -panels, color "themability", tooltips for all buttons and internationalization -support. This is an ongoing effort or, better, a goal to keep the best ideas -in Blender's design while expanding and making it more user-friendly.</p> - -<p><b>Too many buttons!</b></p> - -<p>Again, 3D Computer Graphics is a vast and fun field. If you're only -starting, Blender can seem daunting, specially because of all its packed -functionality. Don't let that upset you, there is no need to care about -<em>all</em> those buttons right now -- or ever.</p> - -<p>There are basic things all users should learn early up:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Start the program and access the main menus;</li> - <li>Find and configure user preferences;</li> - <li>Basic scene set-up: how to add and transform (move, scale, rotate) - lights, cameras and objects;</li> - <li>Create and link materials to objects, at least to color them;</li> - <li>Render your scenes.</li> -</ul> - -<p>One hour is enough time to assimilate and practice that before going on -with basic mesh editing and texturing, for example. There are many different -areas to learn about. Taste, interaction with other users and your main -interests (game art, rendered stills, movies) will guide you and define the -skills you'll want to master. Then it goes like a spiral: practice something -for a while, study and find about new tricks or whole new areas, practice a -little more and so on. Soon you'll become pleased to have all those buttons to -play with. A few more months and you'll probably be back asking for more ... -</p> - -<h3><a name="faq_3">How good is Blender?</a></h3> - -<p>If you ever get the impression that it's not possible to create great -looking or complex works with Blender, rejoice -- you are just plainly -uninformed, as browsing blender.org galleries and community forums can easily confirm.</p> - -<h3>How does it compare to other 3d programs?</h3> - -<p>In short: it takes considerable dedication to become good, no matter which -program you work with, as long as it is good enough not to get in your way. -Blender has, like the others, its strong and weak points.</p> - -<p>Compared to commercial alternatives, Blender misses some features and isn't -as "newbie-friendly". It doesn't come packed with "one-click" or "wizard" -functionality, where you get much faster results in detriment of flexibility -and value. It also isn't bundled with tens of megabytes of sample models, -texture images, tutorials, etc. (which only partly explains how Blender can fit -in such a small download).</p> - -<p>Thankfully, these are relatively minor shortcomings. Many of Blender's modeling, animation and -rendering/compositing features are up-to-par with the industry standards. The pace at which features -are being added or polished in Blender is impressive, now that it's a well -stablished open source project. We get daily feedback from professionals and studios using Blender, and -results from the Blender Foundation's Open Movie/Game projects such as <a href="http://www.bigbuckbunny.org">Big Buck Bunny</a> -and <a href="http://www.yofrankie.org">Yo Frankie!</a> have set a reference standard for what a program like Blender can achieve. - More: through plugins and scripting, many -repetitive or otherwise cumbersome tasks can be made trivial. But plugin and -script authors go further, teaching Blender new tricks, from importers and -exporters to more advanced "applications".</p> - -<p>About goodies, there are many places where you can get them (check -<a href="#resources">resources</a>). Besides the many available Blender books, the main site and -blenderartists.org are the best ones to start. For free texture -images, a simple search for "free textures" should bring many results, just pay -attention to their licenses if you plan to release your work later.</p> - -<p>Commercial packages might make it easier for newbies to produce nice looking -material, but only another newbie would praise the results. There's a huge -difference between what a skilled artist and someone poking at buttons and -using presets can accomplish.</p> - -<p>Last but best of all: Blender is open-source, free for all to use, study and -improve.</p> - -<hr> -<p>Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy Blender!</p> - -<p><font size=-1>Document version 1.1, Sept 2008</font></p> - -<p align="right"><a href="#top">back to top</a></p> - -</body> -</html> +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + <META HTTP-EQUIV="CONTENT-TYPE" CONTENT="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> + <TITLE>A brief introduction to Blender</TITLE> + <META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"> + <META NAME="CREATED" CONTENT="0;0"> + <META NAME="CHANGED" CONTENT="20091122;16164300"> +</HEAD> +<BODY LANG="de-DE" DIR="LTR"> +<H1 LANG="en-US" ALIGN=CENTER><A NAME="top"></A>Blender v2.5 beta +series</H1> +<P><BR><BR> +</P> +<OL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#intro">About</A> + </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#pack">Package + Contents and Install</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#start">Getting + Started:</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <OL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#start_run">Running</A> + </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#start_1st">First + steps</A>, <A HREF="#start_3dview">The 3d View</A> </SPAN> + </P> + </OL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#resources">Resources</A> + </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#trouble">Troubleshooting</A> + </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#faq">(FAQ) A few remarks</A> </SPAN> + </P> +</OL> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="intro"></A>1. About</H2> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Welcome to the world of <A HREF="http://www.blender.org/">Blender</A>! +The program you have now in your hands is a free and fully functional +3d modeling, animation, rendering, compositing, video editing and +game creation suite. It is available for Unix-based (Linux, Mac OS X, +etc.) and Windows systems and has a large world-wide community.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender is free to be applied for any purpose, +including commercial usage and distribution. It's free and +open-source software, released under the GNU GPL licence. The full +program sources are available on our website.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">For impatient readers, here the two most important +links:</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://www.blender.org/">www.blender.org</A> +the main website<BR><A HREF="http://wiki.blender.org/">wiki.blender.org</A> +the documentation website</SPAN></P> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT><A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="pack"></A>2. Package Contents and Install</H2> +<P LANG="en-US">This is what you should get from a downloaded Blender +package:</P> +<UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">The Blender program + for some specific platform; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">This text, with links + and the copyright notice; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US">A basic set of scripts, including importers and + exporters to other 3d formats. + </P> +</UL> +<P LANG="en-US">The latest version for all supported platforms can +always be found at the main Blender site, along with documentation, +sample .blend files, many scripts, plugins and more.</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If you are interested in the development of the +program, information for coders and the SVN repository with the +sources can be found at the <A HREF="http://www.blender.org/development/">developer's +section of the site.</A></SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="start_install"></A>Installation notes:</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">Installing is mostly a matter of executing a +self-installer package or unpacking it to some folder. Blender has a +minimum of system dependencies (like OpenGL and SDL), and doesn't +install by overwriting libraries in your system. There are also some +extra files needed for a good install, like standard python scripts, +but these are optional. Typically these will go to your +HOME/.blender/ directory. Below you find instructions for it per OS. +</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>Windows:</B> The .zip download has a .blender +directory included, which can be manually copied.<BR>Also note that +Blender comes with some dll files, which have to reside next to +blender.exe.</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>Linux, FreeBSD, Irix, Solaris:</B> after unpacking +the distribution, you can copy the .blender directory from it to your +home directory. +</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>OSX:</B> the .blender directory is in +Blender.app/Contents/Resources/. This is being located by default. If +you like to alter some of the files, copy this directory to your home +dir.</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>Other settings:</B><BR>There are many paths you +can set in Blender itself, to tell it where to look for your +collections of texture and sound files, fonts, plugins and additional +scripts, besides where it should save rendered images, temporary +data, etc. If you're only starting, there's no need to worry about +this now. +</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>Python:</B><BR>Blender 2.5x use Python 3.1 as +scripting language for im/exporters, UI buttons layout and other +areas like presets. On Windows, Python 3.1 is included in the zip +package from blender.org. +</P> +<P LANG="en-US">In other platforms Python is usually a standard +component nowadays, so unless there's a version mismatch or an +incomplete py installation, there should be no problems.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">Even if you do have the right version of Python +installed you may need to tell the embedded Python interpreter where +the installation is. To do that it's enough to set a system variable +called PYTHON to the full path to the stand-alone Python executable +(to find out execute "import sys; print sys.executable" +inside the stand-alone interpreter, not in Blender). To check which +Python was linked to your Blender binary, execute "import sys; +print sys.version" at Blender's text editor), it's 3.1.something +-- only the two first numbers should have to match with yours.</P> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT><A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="start"></A>3. Getting Started</H2> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender's main strength is at modeling, animating and +rendering 3d scenes, from simple cubes and monkey heads to the +complex environments found in videogames and movies with computer +graphics (CG) art.</P> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Rendering</SPAN></STRONG> <SPAN LANG="en-US">is +the process of generating 2d images from 3d data (basically lit 3d +models) as if viewed by a virtual camera. In simple terms, rendering +is like taking a picture of the scene, but with many more ways to +influence the results. Blender comes with a very flexible renderer +and a Povray Render Exporter script. By </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">animating</SPAN></STRONG> +<SPAN LANG="en-US">the data and rendering pictures of each successive +frame, movie sequences can be created.</SPAN></P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">In </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">compositing</SPAN></STRONG> +<SPAN LANG="en-US">a set of techniques is used to add effects to +rendered images and combine these into a single frame. This is how, +for example, artists add laser beams, glows and dinosaurs to motion +pictures. Blender also has builtin support for video sequence editing +and sound synchronization.</SPAN></P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">The </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">game +engine</SPAN></STRONG> <SPAN LANG="en-US">inside Blender lets users +create and play nifty 3d games, complete with 3d graphics, sound, +physics and scripted rules. </SPAN> +</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Via </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">scripting</SPAN></STRONG> +<SPAN LANG="en-US">the program's functionality can be automated and +extended in real-time with important new capabilities. True +displacement mapping, for example, is now part of the core program, +but before that it was already possible using scripts. Since they are +written in a nice higher-level programming language -- <A HREF="http://www.python.org/">Python</A> +in our case -- development is considerably faster and easier than +normal C/C++ coding. Naturally, they run slower than compiled code, +but still fast enough for </SPAN><EM><SPAN LANG="en-US">many</SPAN></EM> +<SPAN LANG="en-US">purposes or for mixed approaches like some plugins +use.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="start_run"></A>Running:</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">Depending on your platform, the installation may have +put an icon on your desktop and a menu entry for Blender. If not, +it's not hard to do that yourself for your favorite window manager.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">But for more flexibility, you can execute Blender +from a shell window or command-line prompt. Try "blender -h" +to see all available options.</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Blender saves data in its own custom binary +format, using ".blend" as extension. The default start-up +configuration is saved in a file in your home directory called +.B.blend. To save your changes to it, click on </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">File->User +Preferences->Save as Default</SPAN></STRONG> <SPAN LANG="en-US">or +use the Control+U shortcut directly.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="start_1st"></A>First steps:</H3> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">This is the point where we stop and warn +newcomers that 3d Computer Graphics is a vast field and Blender has a +lot of packed functionality. If you already tried to run it and fell +victim to the "too many buttons!" syndrome, just relax and +<A HREF="#faq_2">read this part</A> of the F.A.Q. </SPAN> +</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Hoping the explanations helped, let's start +Blender and take a look at it. At the top header you can see the main +menu. Under "File" you'll find entries to save, load and +quit. If </SPAN><EM><SPAN LANG="en-US">someone</SPAN></EM> <SPAN LANG="en-US">ever +messes with your workspace and you can't find your way around: use +the menu </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">File->New</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender's screen is divided in "areas". +Each of them has a top or bottom header and can show any of the +available built in applications (called "spaces", like the +3d View, the Text Editor, etc). If you started with a default +configuration, there should now be five areas: +</P> +<UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">A thin strip at the + top where you can see the main menus and some important basic + functions like search and the new Engine drop down menu; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">On the left:</P> + <UL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US">A big one, the + </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">3d View</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">, + where you model and preview your scenes and the new toolbar on the + left; </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P><SPAN LANG="en-US">A smaller one at the bottom, the + </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Timeline</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">, + where you can playback your animations and change basic animation + settings.</SPAN></P> + </UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">On the right:</P> + <UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">A small one on top, + the O<B>utliner</B>, which gives you access over your objects and + it's underlying data.</P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Beneath that, the + <B>Properties Window</B>, which contains most buttons and settings. + </P> + </UL> +</UL> +<P LANG="en-US">These are the five most important spaces, at least +when you are starting. At the left corner of each header you can find +the "Window Types" button, which is like the "Start" +buttom of many desktop environments. Clicking on it lets you change +what is shown in that area.</P> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Highly configurable workspace</SPAN></STRONG></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender's interface has been considerably improved +for the 2.5x series. Besides the goals of exposing functionality via +menus and adding tooltips for all buttons, there are even more ways +now to change your workspace.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">Editor areas can be split and joined with the new +window split action zone. Dragging the zone inside the editor area +with LMB interactively splits a new window in between, dragging the +zone into another editor area joins it. Alt-LMB dragging the zone +swaps the area with another. +</P> +<P LANG="en-US">There should be a button with "Default" in +the top header. It has some preset workspaces that can be tried now +for a tour of the possibilities. When you change your current setup +to something worth keeping, that same button has the option to save +the new screen.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">The User Preferences space has many options there +that you may want to tweak, like turning button tooltips on/off, +setting paths, etc. Just remember to save your configuration if you +want to keep it for the next session). Since these preferences are +not saved in regular .blend files, the presets will retain working +even when loading files from others. Note however, that the +arrangement of the UI itself - its screens and windows - are always +saved in each file. +</P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="start_3dview"></A>The 3d View:</H3> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Mouse buttons and the toolbox</SPAN></STRONG></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Pressing Shift+A while the mouse pointer is inside a +3d View space will open up the Add menu, where you can add new +objects to your scene.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">This is how the mouse buttons work in this space: +</P> +<UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Left button: anchor + the 3d cursor in a new location -- it defines where your next added + object will appear, among other things. + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Right button: + selection. If you hold it and move, you can move the selected item + around. + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US">Middle button: 3d space rotation or translation + -- choose which one in one of the User Preferences tabs. + </P> +</UL> +<P LANG="en-US">Combinations of mouse buttons and Shift or Control +will give you additional options like zooming, panning and restricted +movement. 3d scenes can be seen from any position and orientation, +but there are some default ones you can reach with Numpad buttons or +the "View" menu in the 3d View's header.</P> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Edit Mode</SPAN></STRONG></P> +<P LANG="en-US">When you want to edit the vertices of a mesh, for +example, it's necessary to select the object and enter "Edit +Mode", either using the 3d View header "Mode" button +or by pressing TAB on your keyboard (press it again to return to +object mode).</P> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">And this was only the beginning ...</SPAN></STRONG></P> +<P LANG="en-US">The above guidelines should have given new users +enough to start playing with the interface. The next section lists +online references that can actually teach about 3d and this program, +but it's a good idea to spend some time just playing with Blender, +looking at menus and finding what mouse actions do in each space.</P> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT><A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="resources"></A>4. Resources</H2> +<UL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://www.blender.org/">www.blender.org</A> + - the general site, with documentation and downloads </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://www.blenderartists.org/">www.blenderartists.org</A> + - the main user community web site </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://projects.blender.org/">projects.blender.org</A> + - the project's site </SPAN> + </P> +</UL> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">This short presentation is meant to guide +newcomers to Blender through their </SPAN><EM><SPAN LANG="en-US">very +first</SPAN></EM> <SPAN LANG="en-US">steps, giving directions to +where you can find the resources you will need. We can't teach you 3d +in these few lines of text, that would take a lengthy book.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">IRC users are invited to try #blenderchat or #blender +on irc.freenode.net .</P> +<P LANG="en-US">There are also local Blender community sites in some +countries, that should be listed at the Community section of the main +site.</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If you are a coder wanting to get in touch with +Blender development, a good read is the "Get Involved" page +at <A HREF="http://www.blender.org/community/get-involved/">www.blender.org</A>. +A good way to start is to follow the mailing lists for a while and +check bug reports, to see if you can fix one. On irc.freenode.net: +#blendercoders you'll find many active developers, here also the +weekly meetings take place.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="resources_xtra"></A>Other useful links</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">In the realm of open-source cg programs, it's a +pleasure to mention other great projects that can help you achieve +your visions. Note that these programs are completely independent +from Blender and have their own sites, documentation and support +channels. Note also that this list is not complete and should be +updated on future versions of this text.</P> +<DL> + <DT><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://www.gimp.org/">The Gimp</A> </SPAN> + </DT><DD LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.5cm"> + The mighty GNU Image Manipulation Program. In 3d work it is a + valuable resource to create, convert and, of course, manipulate + texture images. It is also useful for work with rendered pictures, + for example to add 2d text, logos or to touch-up, apply factory or + hand-made effects and compose with other images. + </DD></DL> +<H4 LANG="en-US"> +Renderers:</H4> +<DL> + <DT><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="http://www.povray.org/">Povray</A> </SPAN> + </DT><DD LANG="en-US"> + One of the best and most popular renderers in the world. There is a + script to export Blender scenes to be rendered with it, delivered + with 2.5. + </DD><DT> + <SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="https://renderman.pixar.com/">Renderman-compliant:</A> + open-source: <A HREF="http://www.aqsis.org/">Aqsis</A>, <A HREF="http://pixie.sf.net/">Pixie</A>. + Closed-source: <A HREF="http://www.3delight.com/">3delight</A>. </SPAN> + </DT><DD STYLE="margin-bottom: 0.5cm"> + <SPAN LANG="en-US">The Renderman spec was created by Pixar years ago + to define both a standard and powerful representation of 3d data for + renderers and the expected quality of the renderization itself. + Think about 3d art from some movie -- it was much probably created + by Pixar's own Photorealistic Renderman (PRMan) renderer. This is a + good site to learn more: <A HREF="http://www.rendermanacademy.com/">The + Renderman Academy</A>. Neither Pixar nor its products are affiliated + with Blender. </SPAN> + </DD></DL> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT> +<A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="trouble"></A>5. Troubleshooting</H2> +<P LANG="en-US">If something isn't working, please read this entire +section before looking for help.</P> +<UL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#trouble_gen">General + start-up and usage problems</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#trouble_vdo">Video + card blues</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#trouble_py">Scripts</A> + </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#trouble_bugt">The Bug Tracker</A> + </SPAN> + </P> +</UL> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="trouble_gen"></A>General start-up and usage +problems</H3> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If the program crashes or something isn't +working properly, try running Blender in </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">debug +mode:</SPAN></STRONG> <SPAN LANG="en-US">execute it as "blender +-d" from a command prompt. This might give some info about what +is wrong. There are also other options that might be useful, "blender +-h" lists all of them.<BR>Most likely an immediate crash is due +to Blender's need for a compliant and stable working OpenGL.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="trouble_vdo"></A>Video card blues</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">Although OpenGL is cherished as an excellent cross +platform library, the enormous growth of different 3d cards have made +this a complicated affair for Blender. Unlike other programs - or 3d +games - Blender utilizes OpenGL for its entire GUI, including buttons +and pulldown menus. That means also the 2D options for OpenGL should +work good, something easily ignored or badly tested by 3d card +manufacturers, who target more at the latest SFX features for new 3d +games.<BR>In general Blender performs very well on 3d cards from +renowned brands, such as NVidia, ATI or 3dLabs.</P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="trouble_py"></A>Scripts</H3> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">To be sure that some functionality is scripted: +all scripts in Blender can be accessed from the "Scripts" +menu in the Scripts Window's header, even if the same functionality +is also in another menu somewhere. If you see an entry in one of the +submenus there, it refers to a script. Please don't report problems +with scripts to the bug tracker or other normal Blender channels. You +should find the author's site or contact email in the script's text +itself, but usually the Python & Plugins forum at +<A HREF="http://www.blenderartists.org/">Blenderartists.org</A> is +used for posting announcements, questions, suggestions and bug +reports related to scripts. It's the recommended place to look first, +specially if no site was specified at the script's window or source +file(s).</SPAN></P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If some or all scripts that should appear in +menus are not there, running Blender in <A HREF="#trouble_gen">debug +mode </A>can possibly inform what is wrong. Make sure the reported +dir(s) really exist.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="trouble_bugt"></A>The Bug Tracker</H3> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If you really think you found a new bug in +Blender, check the Bug Tracker entries at <A HREF="https://projects.blender.org/tracker/?atid=498&group_id=9&func=browse">the +projects site</A> and if it was not reported yet, please log in (or +register) and fill in detailed information about the error. A small +.blend file or script (if it is a problem with the Blender Python +API) showcasing the bug can help a lot.</SPAN></P> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT><A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +<H2 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="faq"></A>6. (FAQ) A few remarks</H2> +<OL> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#faq_1">Quick + tips.</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#faq_2">What's + up with the interface?</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#faq_3">How + good is Blender? How does it compare to other 3d programs?</A> </SPAN> + </P> + <LI><P><SPAN LANG="en-US"><A HREF="#faq_4">Something doesn't work, + what do I do?</A> </SPAN> + </P> +</OL> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="faq_1"></A>Quick tips:</H3> +<P><STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">Rendering</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN LANG="en-US">: +to see something when you render (F12) an image, make sure the scene +has a camera pointing at your models (camera view is NumPad 0) and at +least one light properly placed. Otherwise you'll only get a black +rectangle.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Setting texture map input to "uv" in the +Material Buttons window is not enough to assign a texture image and +uv data to a mesh. It's necessary to select the mesh, enter edit +mode, indicate face selection mode (modes can be accessed in the 3d +view's header), load an image in the UV/Image Editor window and then +define a mapping (or unwrapping). Only then the mesh will have uv +data available for exporting.</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">If you want the fastest possible access to +Blender's functionality, remember what a </SPAN><CITE><SPAN LANG="en-US">wise +power user</SPAN></CITE> <SPAN LANG="en-US">wrote: "keep one +hand on the keyboard and the other on the mouse". Learn and use +the shortcuts, configure your workspace to your needs.</SPAN></P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="faq_2"></A>What's up with the interface?</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender uses a couple of innovative paradigms in the +UI, not following more common, somewhat standard rules for user +interfaces. In the past years several of our interface concepts have +been adopted in more programs though, especially using a configurable +non-overlapping subdivision layout and the paradigm to never block +the UI from working by offering all editors and options in parallel. +<BR>Typically free programs offer easy-to-use interfaces for large +audiences. Blender however is, like other high-end 3d tools, meant to +be a powerful production tool for professionals and 3d enthusiasts, +for people who are dedicated to become 3d artists with enough time +and motivation to master the software. <BR>This also has its origins +in the 90ies, when Blender was born as an in-house studio tool, +optimized to speed up daily heavy work, and not to please everyone. +But it's true that you can consider Blender's interface to be not +very newbie-friendly. Luckily you only have to learn it once, and +once you get the basics it'll feel like 2nd nature!</P> +<P LANG="en-US">Blender also has been considerably improved since the +2.3x series, exposing most functionality via menus, adding panels, +color "themability", tooltips for all buttons and +internationalization support. This is an ongoing effort or, better, a +goal to keep the best ideas in Blender's design while expanding and +making it more user-friendly.</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><B>Too many buttons!</B></P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Again, 3d Computer Graphics is a vast and fun +field. If you're only starting, Blender can seem daunting, specially +because of all its packed functionality. Don't let that upset you, +there is no need to care about </SPAN><EM><SPAN LANG="en-US">all</SPAN></EM> +<SPAN LANG="en-US">those buttons right now -- or ever.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">There are basic things all users should learn early +up:</P> +<UL> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Start the program and + access the main menus; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Find and configure + user preferences; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Basic scene set-up: + how to add and transform (move, scale, rotate) lights, cameras and + objects; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm">Create and link + materials to objects, at least to color them; + </P> + <LI><P LANG="en-US">Render your scenes. + </P> +</UL> +<P LANG="en-US">One hour is enough time to assimilate and practice +that before going on with basic mesh editing and texturing, for +example. There are many different areas to learn about. Taste, +interaction with other users and your main interests (game art, +rendered stills, movies) will guide you and define the skills you'll +want to master. Then it goes like a spiral: practice something for a +while, study and find about new tricks or whole new areas, practice a +little more and so on. Soon you'll become pleased to have all those +buttons to play with. A few more months and you'll probably be back +asking for more ... +</P> +<H3 LANG="en-US"><A NAME="faq_3"></A>How good is Blender?</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">If you ever get the impression that it's not possible +to create great looking or complex works with Blender, rejoice -- you +are just plainly uninformed, as browsing blender.org galleries and +community forums can easily confirm.</P> +<H3 LANG="en-US">How does it compare to other 3d programs?</H3> +<P LANG="en-US">In short: it takes considerable dedication to become +good, no matter which program you work with, as long as it is good +enough not to get in your way. Blender has, like the others, its +strong and weak points.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">Compared to commercial alternatives, Blender misses +some features and isn't as "newbie-friendly". It doesn't +come packed with "one-click" or "wizard" +functionality, where you get much faster results in detriment of +flexibility and value. It also isn't bundled with tens of megabytes +of sample models, texture images, tutorials, etc. (which only partly +explains how Blender can fit in such a small download).</P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">Thankfully, these are relatively minor +shortcomings. Many of Blender's modeling, animation and +rendering/compositing features are up-to-par with the industry +standards. The pace at which features are being added or polished in +Blender is impressive, now that it's a well stablished open source +project. We get daily feedback from professionals and studios using +Blender, and results from the Blender Foundation's Open Movie/Game +projects such as <A HREF="http://www.bigbuckbunny.org/">Big Buck +Bunny</A> and <A HREF="http://www.yofrankie.org/">Yo Frankie!</A> +have set a reference standard for what a program like Blender can +achieve. More: through plugins and scripting, many repetitive or +otherwise cumbersome tasks can be made trivial. But plugin and script +authors go further, teaching Blender new tricks, from importers and +exporters to more advanced "applications".</SPAN></P> +<P><SPAN LANG="en-US">About goodies, there are many places where you +can get them (check <A HREF="#resources">resources</A>). Besides the +many available Blender books, the main site and blenderartists.org +are the best ones to start. For free texture images, a simple search +for "free textures" should bring many results, just pay +attention to their licenses if you plan to release your work later.</SPAN></P> +<P LANG="en-US">Commercial packages might make it easier for newbies +to produce nice looking material, but only another newbie would +praise the results. There's a huge difference between what a skilled +artist and someone poking at buttons and using presets can +accomplish.</P> +<P LANG="en-US">Last but best of all: Blender is open-source, free +for all to use, study and improve.</P> +<HR> +<P LANG="en-US">Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy Blender!</P> +<P LANG="en-US"><FONT SIZE=2>Document version 1.2, November 2009</FONT></P> +<P ALIGN=RIGHT><A HREF="#top"><SPAN LANG="en-US">back to top</SPAN></A></P> +</BODY> +</HTML>
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