Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics application packed with great features comparable to high-end proprietary 3D applications. It's used by many professionals to create 3D animation and components for films and games. If you want to start learning how to use this application, I recommend that you take a look at Blender 2.6 Essential Training from lynda.com. This training course for beginners covers what you need to know in order to start making your own 3D projects using Blender. I've posted a few videos from the course below so that you can get a better idea of what the course is about. More information can be found at the course details page. And as an added bonus, you can access the entire course for free with this free 7-day trial pass.
Blender 2.6 Essential Training by
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WATCH THESE 9 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE
Overview of the Blender interface - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Understanding transform orientation - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Editing mesh objects - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Working with modifiers - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Creating reflections - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Using spot lamps - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Working with cameras - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Understanding the Timeline - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
Facial animation using shape keys - Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners
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Course Information
Training Provider: Lynda.com Title: Blender 2.6 Essential Training Author: George Maestri Duration: 7hrs 26mins Date of release: 21 December 2011
Chapter 1: The Blender Interface Overview of the Blender interface Understanding 3D view windows Navigating in 3D space Configuring user preferences Creating custom layouts
Chapter 2: Selecting and Translating Objects Selecting objects Moving objects Rotating objects Scaling objects Understanding transform orientation Changing an object's origin Selecting pivot points Using Snap to move objects precisely
Chapter 3: Modeling Creating mesh primitives Selecting vertices, edges, and faces Editing mesh objects Proportional editing Sculpt mode Working with edges and edge loops Extrusions Smooth shading objects Subdividing meshes
Chapter 4: Advanced Modeling Working with modifiers Working with subdivision surfaces Creating a simple creature Symmetrical modeling with the Mirror modifier Joining mesh objects Stitching vertices Finalizing a simple creature Creating text Boolean tools Vertex groups
Chapter 5: Staying Organized Using the Outliner Using layers Creating groups Working with scenes Creating hierarchies
Chapter 6: Applying Materials Assigning materials to objects Diffuse shaders Working with specularity Using the Ramp Shader options Additional shading options Creating reflections Adding transparency and refractions Subsurface scattering
Chapter 7: Adding Textures Adding a simple texture Using bitmaps Mapping textures in the UV Editor Using UV projections UV mapping a character Fine-tuning UV mapping Creating Bump and Normal maps Displacement mapping Using the Node Editor
Chapter 8: Working with Light Adding lamps to a scene Fine-tuning ray-trace shadows Using spot lamps Fine-tuning buffer shadows Using Hemi lamps Working with Area lamps Creating sky and ambient light Adding background images Creating sunlight Ambient occlusion
Chapter 9: Cameras and Rendering Working with cameras Creating camera targets with constraints Render properties Rendering animation Adding motion blur Creating depth of field
Chapter 10: Basic Animation Understanding the Timeline Animating objects Animating properties Editing animation in the Graph Editor Using the Dope Sheet Path animation
Chapter 11: Character Rigging Facial animation using shape keys Understanding armatures Fitting an armature to a creature Deforming a character with an armature Setting up inverse kinematics Controlling the hips and body Animating in Pose mode Creating a test animation
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Start learning today! If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Blender 2.6 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Not yet convinced? Try a FREE 7-day trial. As a special promotion, visitors of this site can get a FREE 7-day trial to lynda.com. This free trial gives you access to their entire training library of over 1000 courses.
If you enjoyed these Blender 2.6 Video Tutorials for Beginners, sign up for a lynda.com membership or get a free 7-day trial pass to access this entire course.
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