Animation program "Blender"

[Arya Raiin]

(I don't know if this belongs here but I'm more than glad to have it moved if need be. I'm so sorry if it's in the wrong place!)

Hey people! I just got this new 3D animation program called Blender. I'm having trouble with it though because the tutorials are... bad. If anyone here on CAA knows how to use this program please help me out!

-Arya

[LadyRushia]

Moved to Tutorials.

[shooraijin]

Blender is very powerful and very complex. What are you trying to do with it?

[Arya Raiin]

Right now, I'm just trying to learn the basics. I've read the Blender 2.41 Quickstart, so now I'm just working with it. It is quite powerful, and slightly hard to use; but, I'm guessing that it puts out some good work once you figure it out. However, I have a hard time remembering the hotkeys. For the fact that I started using it yesterday so I'm really bad with it. I've realized I kind of have to drop my attitude with it that it's just like photoshop, lol! However, any tips on making basic shapes would be very appreciated. I've only had minimal experience with animation, so It's new to me. Thank you!

[Cap'n Nick]

Blender's user interface requires a lot more out of the user than Photoshop or Illustrator. Don't beat yourself up if you're not getting it right away. Just keep taking the time and it'll get easier. I've been using the program on and off for about a year now and I still feel like I could be a lot better with it.

If you want to speed up your learning curve a bit, I'd recommend actually printing out a copy of the hotkey list, and making notes on it in pencil. I love online documentation but switching between Blender and the tutorial docs can really derail your train of thought.

[CreatureArt]

Have you worked with any other 3D animation/modelling software? I had a brief stint with Anim8or and Lightwave years ago and now work in Maya. It took me quite a while to get up and running with the interface and operation of each, every time I switched programs.

I'm with Cap'n Nick - don't beat yourself up if its taking a while to get used to Blender. The little I've seen of the program, some menus are still in development and there's a lot to deal with in the interface.

If you want to speed up your learning curve a bit, I'd recommend actually printing out a copy of the hotkey list, and making notes on it in pencil. I love online documentation but switching between Blender and the tutorial docs can really derail your train of thought.

That's a great suggestion. I might do that for Maya, too. Brushing up on the different hotkeys can really speed up your workflow...

[Arya Raiin]

Have you worked with any other 3D animation/modelling software? I had a brief stint with Anim8or and Lightwave years ago and now work in Maya. It took me quite a while to get up and running with the interface and operation of each, every time I switched programs.

I'm with Cap'n Nick - don't beat yourself up if its taking a while to get used to Blender. The little I've seen of the program, some menus are still in development and there's a lot to deal with in the interface.


That's a great suggestion. I might do that for Maya, too. Brushing up on the different hotkeys can really speed up your workflow...

Well, for about two months I used some cheap 3D animator that taught me a few basics but I can't remember the name. I can't believe I'm unable to bring the name to mind!

Anyway, I'll be printing out the hotkey page soon. Blender isn't proving easy, but I'm sure it's a lot easier than some! Thanks for your information guys!

[CreatureArt]

Well, for about two months I used some cheap 3D animator that taught me a few basics but I can't remember the name. I can't believe I'm unable to bring the name to mind!

Anyway, I'll be printing out the hotkey page soon. Blender isn't proving easy, but I'm sure it's a lot easier than some! Thanks for your information guys!

No worries. I tend to remember software names fairly well but I get stuck on people's names and faces. Every so often I splurge and buy a 3D World magazine, there's the odd blender tutorial in there (I haven't been able to find any on their website for you, unfortunately). If they stock it near where you live you might find something interesting in the odd issue.

[Cap'n Nick]

I was reading some manuals this morning and was reminded of something helpful: the majority of the standard commands will appear in the menu you get by pressing the spacebar. Next to each of the commands is its hotkey. So, if you don't know how to do something, you can browse the menu to see what's available and get its shortcut at the same time.

[Arya Raiin]

I was reading some manuals this morning and was reminded of something helpful: the majority of the standard commands will appear in the menu you get by pressing the spacebar. Next to each of the commands is its hotkey. So, if you don't know how to do something, you can browse the menu to see what's available and get its shortcut at the same time.

LOL! You know what, I just found that out today. It was all by chance I found it out too. Also I'll be keeping an eye out for that magazine!