This review is on the book “The Essential Blender”, which gives the basics for blender. Blender is a freeware 3D program downloadable at their site “blender.org”. As I will elaborate, the book gives a great first step for anyone who is just getting into 3D animation or modeling. If you’ve been afraid of 3D before, so was I. But 3D is like the water. Just jump in a get it over with.
Now I know this group is not known for getting into 3D, but learning something new never hurts. Let’s get a basic definition for 3D animation and modeling. Basically it’s using a program to create objects in 3D space which we can then animate, warp, make blow up and just about anything else you can come up with.
3D animation takes time. A lot of time. So if you’re planning on experimenting with it your weekend’s shot. Although, from someone who usually works in two dimensions, 3D is a nice break. And it can stretch your mind to think in ways you haven’t before.
Blender is freeware, which means it’s free. A nice break from those pricy programs we’re all used too. It is also open source, for you code monkeys. It is also known for being very, how can I say this, different. Blender shoots for efficiency, not on being easy to learn. Even the fastest learners will have to slow down. Although once you get into it, you realize all the things that were slowing you down before allow you to work incredibly fast and efficient. Once you get past the complexity of the program.
But enough about that, now about the book. The Essential Blender is written simply, with long explanations and plenty of visual aids, which is perfect for someone who is just learning. Each part is written by different authors, giving you a unique perspective every step of the way. It works from the basics up, which is great due to the complexity of Blender, as I mentioned before.
Each chapter pulls you into another aspect of 3D. Starting with things as simple as object and axis, to more complicated things like materials, lighting and rendering. In each chapter it gives you an example to work through for some hands on experience, and then an explanation of the chapter topic which works great as a reference. The book allows you to practice while you read, which I suggest because of the odd feel of blender.
It comes with a CD with projects for certain chapters. There are also models already made to play with if you don’t want to go through the trouble of creating your own. And as I said before, these examples build upon each other. Starting with basics, and getting to the more complex issues.
Blender is strange, if I had to put it into three words. The interface is extremely flexible, and also unlike any other program, allowing you to make a unique interface to fit your working style. The biggest thing that threw me was the keyboard shortcuts. There was the undo Ctrl-Z. But after that every other keyboard shortcut was different form every other program. Even ones like save (which is Ctrl-W for some unknown reason). This allows you to act quickly, once you learn all of them.
Since Blender is unlike most programs it will take a long time to get used to it, even if you are experienced with other design programs, including 3D programs. It will feel like you’re re-learning all of your computer skills. Once you get past this however, you see the true beauty of Blender.
The book is a great introduction to this program, and also a great introduction to 3D. The way they progress with the program is smooth and logical. My only complaint is the words, as the book is full of long paragraphs. This might slow you down if you are used to learning instinctively. The heavy wording might be good to some, but I enjoy the bullet point method, that being said.
-Blender Good
-Book Good
-Would recommend both for anyone who wants to start their 3D journey
Book review written by
Garrett Yonkers
Graphic Designer
Web Designer
Animator
Writer
Contact for freelance
garrett.littledragon25@gmail.com |