Blender soon to release 2.40

[AWBenson]

The Blender people have been very busy with the next update to their software. Below is a list of features that the next version will be supporting (Note, that the current version is 2.37 and they will be skipping to 2.40 on the next release.)

http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Newsite...9526d7d.0.html


Some of the highlights include a revamped animation system and the inclusion of fluid simulation.

AWBenson

[Bertmg]

I have been following Blender releases and changes in my search for comparison and posible change/share of tools from Eovia's (big Eovia fan here, but I am getting dissapointed - read Eovia3D.net > English > Carrara Section > Carrara Plugins & addons > "if carrara has" thread if interested).

I have noticed that for a "free" application Blender seems pretty complete and easy to use. Does anyone in the Fuorum has worked with Blender? I appreciate you sharing your experiences.

[AWBenson]

I've only slightly used Blender. I can say that it has a similar learning curve as that of Maya... which is steep. But Blender IS powerful and packed full of features. I love the use of lattices, which I'm disappointed in Carrara for not supporting (been asking for this scene version 3). The shader system is different and (while just as powerful at Carrara's) is harder to produce the "look" you are after. You'll have to know the effects of contain shaders operations by text before you can really built shaders with it. Also, it uses some unique naming conventions for all aspects of the program.

Bones system is hands-down better than Carrara's... and it's being rewritten for improvements. Import and Export options are very high. Strong user community and often-times free phython scripted plugins.

Modeling is different. You are REQUIRED to use hotkeys to do just about everything. While this is a fast means of doing things, it requires a level of familiarity before you and do anything with the program. Best to have a keyboard guide at all times.

I have not touched Blender's game engine so no comments from me there.


However, I still prefer Carrara over Blender. Blender is probablly more powerful than Carrara but you'll have to suppliment in a better render engine (not a problem with Blender). Carrara is simplier to use and hencefore often faster to model, texture, and work with. Carrara's "extras" like the terrain builder, tree modeler and other tools makes it quicker to get some things done. Carrara's SM makes machical objects easy to build, whereas you'll have to model more like Hexagon's tools via hotkeys in Blender.

This ease of use and speed of use is why many people in this and other forums continue with Carrara. Cinema users have stated that while Cinema is more powerful (and extremely expensive in comparison) they like and prefer Carrara. Haven't heard too much from XSI and Carrara, but for the last year or so, they've been competiting on the same price point and XSI is used in the film/entertainment industry. 3D Max and Maya, from personal experience, is great for animation and blows away most other feature sets from other programs, but they are also the most expensive. Lightwave can be complicated, and while used in the industry, it is not the quickiest solution... they need some serious work-flow enhancements.

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I'm sure Blender will eventually come out with 2.40. It's been 4 months from the original posting of this message, .

[solt]

hi

i use blender from time to time. a very powerful soft, great for modelling .easy to learn, despite what we can hear, here and there...but i have more fun working with carrara

this is my last image done in blender 2.37

[Nichod]

I love the use of lattices, which I'm disappointed in Carrara for not supporting (been asking for this scene version 3).

Carrara doesn't have this because a patent is currently on lattices. The patent is set to expire next year. I think Feb-march.

Blender is an excellent piece of software and has some inventive approaches to handling things. But its workflow could be much improved. Take Andrew's example of texturing. You have to switch from one section to load in a texture to another section to apply the texture into a shader, then specify which channel the texture loads into. Then repeat if you want to load in a different texture. Supposedly the project orange build of blender has a new layered system of textures, not sure what its workflow is, etc. haven't take a look at it. But this is just one of many examples that could be much improved.

Carrara may have its negatives, many which are being addressed in each version, but its speed in performing certain tasks and its setup as a complete solution (terrain, sky, etc) blows away the competition.

[Sarissi]

I remember when I thought Blender was a 2D app that you do muscle morphs with, and I did not know what 3D CGI apps were, other than their existance in the Film Industry. Only later did I learn that Muscle Morphs were done with Photoshop. (Oops!)

It has come along very nicely since the days of Mandrake Linux 7.2.

[AWBenson]

Just before Christmas, Blender finally had the full released of 2.40. It has an impressive list of features like usual. I'll play with some of them to see how it is progressing.

[Bertmg]

Originally Posted by AWBenson

Just before Christmas, Blender finally had the full released of 2.40. It has an impressive list of features like usual. I'll play with some of them to see how it is progressing.

You seem to know alot about the different 3D apps. I can't wait to hear your experience/review.

[AWBenson]

I've used a few different ones because I went to an college for an animation degree. The 3D Programs that I am familiar with include 3D Studio Max, Maya, Ray Dreams/Carrara, Wings3D, Hexagon, and a little bit of Blender.

Ironically, I work in Graphic Design using PageMaker, PhotoShop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, SwishMax, Flash and a few others as a stable. Occassionally I get to use my own version of Carrara/Hexagon at work if an illustration would benefit from it (or I'm extremely board and don't have enough work to work on).