Blender makes me crazy...
by Remi Freiwald · in Torque Game Engine · 07/08/2005 (5:06 am) · 13 replies
Hi!
first, i hate blender...
second, i still want to learn it, because it's free and i can't afford 3DSMAX & Co.
I started it up and couldn't do anything... whenever i tried to do something i messed everything up...
then i found the manual here, but on page 1 of the gingerbread-tutorial i'm already kind of stuck... because it seems that they're not only changing this program but even its interface and everything else constantly, to make people unable follow tutorials on the net, because those tutorials are older than a week...
can someone tell me, why for example, the box selection method selects only "front" vertices and not the hidden ones if one vertex is above another? in the "manual" they say that this box-selection-method would do exactly this! select ALL vertices, even hidden ones...
do i have to turn this on somewhere?
and does someone have a "new" manual?
EDIT: ok, i found the button called "Limit selection to visible"
But i'd still happy if someone could show me a manual or tutorial which tells me the basics about blender and is up to date...
first, i hate blender...
second, i still want to learn it, because it's free and i can't afford 3DSMAX & Co.
I started it up and couldn't do anything... whenever i tried to do something i messed everything up...
then i found the manual here, but on page 1 of the gingerbread-tutorial i'm already kind of stuck... because it seems that they're not only changing this program but even its interface and everything else constantly, to make people unable follow tutorials on the net, because those tutorials are older than a week...
can someone tell me, why for example, the box selection method selects only "front" vertices and not the hidden ones if one vertex is above another? in the "manual" they say that this box-selection-method would do exactly this! select ALL vertices, even hidden ones...
do i have to turn this on somewhere?
and does someone have a "new" manual?
EDIT: ok, i found the button called "Limit selection to visible"
But i'd still happy if someone could show me a manual or tutorial which tells me the basics about blender and is up to date...
#2
07/08/2005 (5:27 am)
Try the video turorials. I think they are easier to understand since you actually see what its being done.
#3
the tutorials i've found are easy to understand, the problem is they're not up-to-date anymore...
they tell me to click buttons, which don't exist no more or there are buttons and options which didn't exist at the time of the tutorial being written...
i downloaded the trial version of 3dsmax and it took me just 1 hour to rebuild my room without any tutorials... 3dsmax is much more easier and better, although the developers of blender claim their programm would have a more intuitive interface bla bla...
i'd use milkshape if their were a little bit more tools and if it was some more user-friendly. you all know the terrain editor from torque and its hard and soft brush? 3dsmax has something similar, which allows you to edit nearby vertices with minor affectivity... i hope you know what i mean. ;)
milkshape doesn't have such an option for his tools, does it?
i think there are even more such basic features which should be implemented... milkshape didn't change since i used it 2 years ago...
EDIT: i've heard something about gmax... i'll have to search for that one...
07/08/2005 (5:45 am)
Yeah, but i wanted a more powerful tool... i'm ready to learn more and work harder, if i'm able to work with a better program then milkshape and if my results improve through a better program... but this is more kind of stress than learning...the tutorials i've found are easy to understand, the problem is they're not up-to-date anymore...
they tell me to click buttons, which don't exist no more or there are buttons and options which didn't exist at the time of the tutorial being written...
i downloaded the trial version of 3dsmax and it took me just 1 hour to rebuild my room without any tutorials... 3dsmax is much more easier and better, although the developers of blender claim their programm would have a more intuitive interface bla bla...
i'd use milkshape if their were a little bit more tools and if it was some more user-friendly. you all know the terrain editor from torque and its hard and soft brush? 3dsmax has something similar, which allows you to edit nearby vertices with minor affectivity... i hope you know what i mean. ;)
milkshape doesn't have such an option for his tools, does it?
i think there are even more such basic features which should be implemented... milkshape didn't change since i used it 2 years ago...
EDIT: i've heard something about gmax... i'll have to search for that one...
#4
07/08/2005 (6:05 am)
Far as i know GMAX is outta bounds for game dev work... You are only supposed to use it for mods? Been a while since I looked at the EULA though, so I could be wrong.
#5
Have you tried Softimage XSI yet? Its a professional 3d modelling and animation tool. You can downoad a 30-day fully functional demo from their website. The "Foundation" version costs $500.
07/08/2005 (6:51 am)
Remi,Have you tried Softimage XSI yet? Its a professional 3d modelling and animation tool. You can downoad a 30-day fully functional demo from their website. The "Foundation" version costs $500.
#6
You're right, there has been a pretty significant UI change, however the hotkeys from the manual still work pretty much as expected.
Blender is a moving target, and it's getting better all the time, so yeah the tutorials will always be a little out of date. I would suggest learning what concepts you can, and getting VERY familiar with the hotkeys, which are desgined to maxmize workflow, and as such probably won't be changing any time soon.
I've been using blender for nearly a year now, and to be honest I learn something new everytime I run it, but thats part of the fun :)
Also as to your earlier question about selection behavior etc, that is all configurable in the options menu, (the same place you tell blender where python etc is)
Enjoy!
07/08/2005 (7:03 am)
Hey there Remi, I just downloaded the latest Blender onto a fresh computer, and installed and ran it.You're right, there has been a pretty significant UI change, however the hotkeys from the manual still work pretty much as expected.
Blender is a moving target, and it's getting better all the time, so yeah the tutorials will always be a little out of date. I would suggest learning what concepts you can, and getting VERY familiar with the hotkeys, which are desgined to maxmize workflow, and as such probably won't be changing any time soon.
I've been using blender for nearly a year now, and to be honest I learn something new everytime I run it, but thats part of the fun :)
Also as to your earlier question about selection behavior etc, that is all configurable in the options menu, (the same place you tell blender where python etc is)
Enjoy!
#7
Do a search for Anim8or. It's free and easy to use.
Model in quads... export to *.3ds and then import into LithiumUV for skinning (or whatever it's now called) and then import to Milkshape for animations and export.
07/08/2005 (7:10 am)
Want a cheap powerful modeler?Do a search for Anim8or. It's free and easy to use.
Model in quads... export to *.3ds and then import into LithiumUV for skinning (or whatever it's now called) and then import to Milkshape for animations and export.
#8
07/08/2005 (7:11 am)
@Louis - The problem with XSI is that there is not yet an exporter... you can use the Obj2dts but it doesnt support animation. 
#9
When you press Z to enter shaded mode (or whatever mode besides wireframe), a new button will appear in the lower 'taskbar', right next to the Vertices, edges and faces buttons.
Just look for icons representing a bunch of dots, a line and a triangle. To the right of that, a cube icon will appear (Again only when you are in shaded view). It is called 'Limit selection to visible'.
Turn it on to only select vertices on this side of the object, turn it off to select all vertices/faces/edges from the camera to infinity.
Blender is hard to learn at first, and the mistake I have made was trying to learn just what I thought I needed. I followed the gingerbread tutorial a few months ago and was incredibly confused whenever they casually mentionned actions and processes I had never used.
I recommend playing around with it, just plowing through every feature. Start with basic primitives, apply materials to them, operate vertex, edges and faces manipulation. Play around with the falloff values, and try not to laugh maniacally as your mind expands in the process. After the basics are mastered, move on to bones and armatures, and I guarantee you'll never want to use anything else :)
Then, you will learn to truly appreciate this immensely powerful tool.
07/08/2005 (7:39 am)
About that box selection selecting only front vertices.When you press Z to enter shaded mode (or whatever mode besides wireframe), a new button will appear in the lower 'taskbar', right next to the Vertices, edges and faces buttons.
Just look for icons representing a bunch of dots, a line and a triangle. To the right of that, a cube icon will appear (Again only when you are in shaded view). It is called 'Limit selection to visible'.
Turn it on to only select vertices on this side of the object, turn it off to select all vertices/faces/edges from the camera to infinity.
Blender is hard to learn at first, and the mistake I have made was trying to learn just what I thought I needed. I followed the gingerbread tutorial a few months ago and was incredibly confused whenever they casually mentionned actions and processes I had never used.
I recommend playing around with it, just plowing through every feature. Start with basic primitives, apply materials to them, operate vertex, edges and faces manipulation. Play around with the falloff values, and try not to laugh maniacally as your mind expands in the process. After the basics are mastered, move on to bones and armatures, and I guarantee you'll never want to use anything else :)
Then, you will learn to truly appreciate this immensely powerful tool.
#11
Interface changes are something you always have to deal with, commercial software or open source. The changes just seem to happen faster in open source programs.
07/08/2005 (11:45 am)
The gingerbread tutorial is pretty old as well... I remember messing with it over a year ago, and Blender has already had a couple of revisions since then.Interface changes are something you always have to deal with, commercial software or open source. The changes just seem to happen faster in open source programs.
#12
Yes, it's a moving target, but the target keeps getting better.
It is a bit tricky to learn, but the results are well worth your time.
Personally, I own Maya Complete 6.0 and still prefer to use Blender. There are things that are much easier to do. And, since they've added the 3D Transform Widgets, I'm loving it even more.
The general menu layout ("space" key) and hotkeys haven't changed much, so just have fun playing around. They still include the same Monkey primitive from years ago...
07/14/2005 (9:26 am)
I'll agree the UI has changed (I've been playing with Blender for several years now [I even own a C-Key]), but it's gotten dramatically better over time.Yes, it's a moving target, but the target keeps getting better.
It is a bit tricky to learn, but the results are well worth your time.
Personally, I own Maya Complete 6.0 and still prefer to use Blender. There are things that are much easier to do. And, since they've added the 3D Transform Widgets, I'm loving it even more.
The general menu layout ("space" key) and hotkeys haven't changed much, so just have fun playing around. They still include the same Monkey primitive from years ago...
#13
www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender1/
www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender2/
Blender is sooo easy ;-)
peace.
07/15/2005 (2:39 am)
Just check these for "Using Blender to Make Game Models":www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender1/
www.gamedev.net/reference/art/features/blender2/
Blender is sooo easy ;-)
peace.
Torque Owner Chris Labombard
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