Blender 2.37 is out. OMG
by FruitBatInShades · in General Discussion · 06/03/2005 (12:13 am) · 23 replies
The new blender is out and it addresses a lot of the issues people have always moaned about. The amount of new features is amazing. This is just the basic summary.
Transformation tools
New Transformation options include; To Sphere, Push/Pull, TrackBall, advanced constraint options, Proportional editing with connection mode, ...
Transform Widgets
As result of the Transformation Tools recode, we can now finally add widgets to have easy access to (constrainted) translation, rotation and scaling. Widgets can be aligned global, local to Objects and to normals in Edit Mode as well.
Soft Body
Each Object in Blender now can get a "Soft Body" effect applied. Once applied, the softbody system converts vertex locations to free moving particles... great for animating flexible objects, for wriggling skin and even for cloth simulations.
Force Fields and Deflection
Especially for Soft Body a new force field, Wind, has been added. Also deflections (collisions) are possible between soft objects and Meshes.
Incremental Subdivision Surfaces
Best feature of Daniel Dunbar's new "CCG" SubSurf system is its tremendous speed improvement. This mostly thanks to detecting incremental changes while editing. Also creases and UV texture support has been improved.
Transparent Filtering
Blender now supports transparent rendering with filtering, by use of a new method which uses both Alpha and Filter combined. Ray-traced images now also deliver correct a alpha layer.
Timeline
The new Timeline window allows access to all animation timing features, with non blocking animation playback. Edit keys, materials or Soft Body while it moves!
Python Scripting
Another long list of new features in the Python API, with new modules and advanced inegration of scripts in the Blender Window system using "Space Handlers".
soft body video 3.4mb
Transformation tools
New Transformation options include; To Sphere, Push/Pull, TrackBall, advanced constraint options, Proportional editing with connection mode, ...
Transform Widgets
As result of the Transformation Tools recode, we can now finally add widgets to have easy access to (constrainted) translation, rotation and scaling. Widgets can be aligned global, local to Objects and to normals in Edit Mode as well.
Soft Body
Each Object in Blender now can get a "Soft Body" effect applied. Once applied, the softbody system converts vertex locations to free moving particles... great for animating flexible objects, for wriggling skin and even for cloth simulations.
Force Fields and Deflection
Especially for Soft Body a new force field, Wind, has been added. Also deflections (collisions) are possible between soft objects and Meshes.
Incremental Subdivision Surfaces
Best feature of Daniel Dunbar's new "CCG" SubSurf system is its tremendous speed improvement. This mostly thanks to detecting incremental changes while editing. Also creases and UV texture support has been improved.
Transparent Filtering
Blender now supports transparent rendering with filtering, by use of a new method which uses both Alpha and Filter combined. Ray-traced images now also deliver correct a alpha layer.
Timeline
The new Timeline window allows access to all animation timing features, with non blocking animation playback. Edit keys, materials or Soft Body while it moves!
Python Scripting
Another long list of new features in the Python API, with new modules and advanced inegration of scripts in the Blender Window system using "Space Handlers".
soft body video 3.4mb
#2
06/03/2005 (8:01 am)
Has the GUI and workflow improved? this was in my opinion Blenders biggest failing :(
#3
06/03/2005 (9:43 am)
@Adrian: DO you mean has it become like max or maya, then no. Its still good old blender :D
#4
06/03/2005 (10:25 am)
This is a HUGE improvement over the previous GUI and workflow. I did some modeling with it last night, and it was WAY less frustrating than when I tried it with vers. 2.36 
#5
06/03/2005 (10:26 am)
Very good to hear, maybe I can bring some of my team back to blender lol :) btw hope you keep that thread going Jeff, great evaluation of it so far.
#6
I just keep hoping that they make an entire release dedicated to mimicking the 3dsMax interface. *crosses fingers*
06/03/2005 (1:34 pm)
I'll try it... again...I just keep hoping that they make an entire release dedicated to mimicking the 3dsMax interface. *crosses fingers*
#7
06/03/2005 (1:45 pm)
@George: I spit in your general direction! putoo!
#8
06/03/2005 (9:17 pm)
I'll admit that picking up Blender is kind of a pain, but after maybe an hour's work I fell in love with the interface. Just give it a shot.
#9
Surely it's better than Truespace, certainly looks more familiar.
06/03/2005 (11:00 pm)
I'll give it another look, but I wonder how many people that recommend it are professional 3D artists. However, saying that, I'm pretty certain there isn't anything that can compete with it for features at the price :)Surely it's better than Truespace, certainly looks more familiar.
#10
BITE YOUR TONGUE YOUNG MAN!!!!
:)
--Mike
06/04/2005 (6:31 am)
Quote:Surely it's better than Truespace
BITE YOUR TONGUE YOUNG MAN!!!!
:)
--Mike
#11
06/06/2005 (7:28 pm)
Now I am only more eager to get into this program. I'm currently waiting for my book on Blender to come. I can't wait to start really using it.
#13
06/07/2005 (10:09 am)
Any word on how the exporter works with 2.37? I've not gotten it to work, but then, I failed to get it to work with earlier versions because I was using Python 2.4 until this very afternoon.
#14
06/07/2005 (10:11 am)
Python has a habit of changing interfaces as it did when it went to 2.4. The exporter uses one of the functions that has had an interface change IIRC. Not actually exported from 2.37 yet, will let you know
#15
06/07/2005 (10:22 am)
I would really appreciate that! I suspect the problem is on my end, but it would be nice to know for sure before I look further.
#16
Edit: Strange. If I open the example lend in 2.37 the exporter runs. If I open any other blend it doesn't!
Edit: Ok, looks some variable is not being set. If you open the example.blend, then open your actual blend file inside that window, the exporter works. If you just open your blend file, it doesn't
06/07/2005 (10:41 am)
Not working for me either :( Still playing thoughEdit: Strange. If I open the example lend in 2.37 the exporter runs. If I open any other blend it doesn't!
Edit: Ok, looks some variable is not being set. If you open the example.blend, then open your actual blend file inside that window, the exporter works. If you just open your blend file, it doesn't
#17
06/07/2005 (10:59 am)
Solved'ish! It seem syou actually have to add the directory that the exporter is in to the pythonpath variable, it then works.
#18
And now I mock myself for registering Milkshape last night. Mock, mock, mock. But now I get to play with both!
06/07/2005 (11:29 am)
Ah... okay, I can get it to work by opening a second file as you did. So I probably need to adjust my pythonpath, too. I *thought* that I'd set it up properly, but apparently not. Thanks a bundle!And now I mock myself for registering Milkshape last night. Mock, mock, mock. But now I get to play with both!
#19
06/07/2005 (4:05 pm)
Milkshape is pretty good too. And it's only $25. Not nearly as fully featured as Blender, but (speaking as a beginner on both) easier and potentially faster to use for some models.
#20
FYI I friggin HATE that stupid transform tool, I hate it in TGE and I hate it in blender, damn thing just makes no sense to me, and it's fugly lookin. Other than that I LOVE the new blender stuff.
06/07/2005 (4:11 pm)
Wow! Just a heads up for Linux guys, the exporter works flawlessly, first run, just make sure to delete ~/.b.blend prior to opening blender. Then make sure to point the scripts directory to wherever you put the exporter /usr/lib/blender/scripts in my case.FYI I friggin HATE that stupid transform tool, I hate it in TGE and I hate it in blender, damn thing just makes no sense to me, and it's fugly lookin. Other than that I LOVE the new blender stuff.
Nathan