Blender what do you know about it

[behzad]

Just wondering how have people who used Blender found the program to be?

[Nichod]

Hasn't this been discussed numerous times? Anything specific you want to know?

[bwtr]

behzad.
Blender is, really, one of the very best 3D apps.
BUT
It has a user inteface that is quite daunting to most. It would be simple as abc (probably) if, in our first introductions to computers, this is what we learned.

I remember back in the 1940s trying to understand Algebra. In my first exam I came last in the class--at final exam I was first!

The mind just has to click and say---"naturally--why would anyone not understand!"
(Now, in algerbra, two minuses make a plus-------mmmmm---if you get the drift!)

[-ash-]

I have tried Blender a number of times. Can't get along with it - relies too much on a mouse with middle mouse button (I use a tablet and pen) and uses some strange conventions that I don't have time to learn.

It's a shame as it appears to be a capable 3D tool. But, as is often the case, the interface and interaction are the last things to be considered.

As a contrast I've been looking at MoI and Modo. Both of these apps have interfaces that I can easily get around leaving me free to learn the tool and then get creating.

My tuppence worth .

[carrozza]

If you're interested learning Blender take a look at this site, I found it very easy and helpful: http://www.gryllus.net/Blender/3D.html .

For me Blender is a great application! I mean, not as easy to grasp as Hexagon, but much more powerful (and I am thinking only about modelling, voluntarily omitting that Blender has also good rendering features).
The interface not so bad: you can divide your screen in as many viewport as you want, and assign a specific function to each viewport (3D view, ortographic view, buttons panel, object list, etc.).
When a viewport cannot display all the information (typical is for button ones) you simply scroll with mouse wheel to show hidden content.
Not a big deal, you have to learn where are the commands you want, but isn't it true with any application?

The biggest limit I can see is that keystrokes are fixed, not configurable, and sometimes they are not so intuitive.
Some examples: Tab switch between Object mode and Edit mode; Shift+Tab switch snapping on/off; Ctrl+Tab brings up selection mode (vert-edge-face); W brings up "common used" menu... etc.
You don't even need to memorize shortcuts because they are written nearby every menu command, and you have menus and buttons for each and every function.

Wrap up: Blender is well worth a try, but if you don't think to try seriously don't even begin because you'll get only confusion.

That's my two cents, peace and love to everybody. :-)

[DAIGORO]

i think blender is pretty easy to learn.the interface is a little bit ugly at first but after one or two tutorials you are able to use blender very well.it is possible to change the interface a bit so it looks a little bit like the one of Lightwave or Softimage XSI.
since i had bad luck the last 2 years and had to sell a lot of software like lightwave and zbrush(i was able to buy zbrush back again this month,yeah) to keep my family alive,
i needed something that would be good enough for the things i have planned and so i started to learn blender,i will make things in blender that i cant do in carrara and i also want to start learning python for gaming stuff since many moons and so blender is the first choice cause it is for free and you will find a lot of tutorials and books out there.
blender is "very very cheap" and you get much in one package,Modeler,Renderer,Game Engine,Compositing Software and a bit Video Editing.
im still learning but i hope i can show some stuff out of blender pretty soon.

[Notez]

I AM WITH ASH ON THIS ONE!

i think i maybe have gotten it about three or four times,sat down for a few hours and tried forcing myself to finnaly learn it but intuitive is not a word that will ever describe Blender. . .i thought maya was easier(and maya whooped my A** a few times-PLE version)

[graphinc]

Blender is a really great application : the user interface can be tweaked as you want (you can have as much windows as you want,...) , you can even zoom in or out the button panels to see them bigger or to have more buttons on one screen.
It's not easy to start with blender so, as the program is free, a good idea is to buy a good book to help. And remember there are a lot of free ressources, just one exemple : the mancandy dvd that you can buy or freely download and it shows a lot about character animation.

ASh : I work most of time with my wacom tablet and, even if I use the wacom mouse, blender works fine with the pen : alt+drag = rotate, alt+ctrl+drag = zoom, alt+shift+drag=translate (and there is even a compilation that works with 3Dconnexion interface)

[Tartiflette]

Originally Posted by -ash-

I have tried Blender a number of times. Can't get along with it - relies too much on a mouse with middle mouse button (I use a tablet and pen) and uses some strange conventions that I don't have time to learn.

As Graphinc said Blender works really really well with a pen tablet.
I have a Wacom Graphire 4 and use it exclusively (don't even have a mouse...) and i have zero/nada problem with Blender.

For the rest of the UI, well it's a matter of taste, for example of all the 3D program i know, i'd rank it in the top 3 !
And in fact i'd rank it first...

If only it could have LightWave's capabilities in term of rendering, that would make it the best 3D package there is !


Cheers,
Laurent aka Tartiflette

[kagi]

*raise hand*

Me! me! I use Blender too...!

Seriously, the UI is not that hard... I really think that everybody can use Blender without any problem. The proof? I did it! I'm not a professional, not even student in 3D and not even a programmer or else... Just someone who learned 3D with Poser and Hexagon, and who just want to create his own 3D Manga Girl, now

But okay, I agree, I can choose the parts and build my own pc and install a Linux distro... Am I so exceptionnal or an alien for that? Rather one the most lazy guy you could see

[-ash-]

Originally Posted by Tartiflette

As Graphinc said Blender works really really well with a pen tablet.
I have a Wacom Graphire 4 and use it exclusively (don't even have a mouse...) and i have zero/nada problem with Blender.

For the rest of the UI, well it's a matter of taste, for example of all the 3D program i know, i'd rank it in the top 3 !
And in fact i'd rank it first...

If only it could have LightWave's capabilities in term of rendering, that would make it the best 3D package there is !


Cheers,
Laurent aka Tartiflette

Been a little while since I tried Blender so maybe things are better now. I went for MoI and modo, so I have enough apps to learn at the moment

If I get any spare time, though, I'll give it another try.

[Tartiflette]

Originally Posted by -ash-

If I get any spare time, though, I'll give it another try.

You can do that anytime you want, it's free !


Cheers,
Laurent aka Tartiflette

[Notez]

Originally Posted by Tartiflette

You can do that anytime you want, it's free !


Cheers,
Laurent aka Tartiflette

which is true! also i would reccomend blender too it's just not my cup of tea,i like to get started out the box!(or install,in this case) i have seen some remarkable results achieved with the use of blender alone so im not doubting it or am i putting it down,it was just too hard for me to really concentrate on............i have since learned to empty my cup so who knows i might give it a 5th go . . .lmao