Power Downloader finds free 3D-animation software
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
When Power Downloader received an e-mail from an artist friend recently, he wondered what he could do to help. Though Power knows a lot about software, he never had the type of talent needed to create art. His artist friend told Power that his work was going great, but that he was at an impasse. He wanted to get into the world of advanced 3D drawing and animation, but all of the software in the category was too expensive. That's when Power Downloader knew his friend was asking the right person.
With only a few clicks of his mouse, Power Downloader located the perfect program at Download.com. Blender is free, open-source software which allows artists to use professional-level tools to create 3D art and animation. Not for the beginner, Blender is loaded with advanced tools that manage to stay out of the way of an artist's workspace, so he can focus on what's really important. With a virtual laundry list of tools, including windows for animation curves/keys, an outliner, a schematic scene diagram, a generic node editing system, non-linear video sequence editing, a character animation action editor, image/UV editing, and file management, Power Downloader knew his friend would be impressed with Blender.
With all the advanced features offered by Blender, Power Downloader realized that his artist friend might need some extra guidance. That's why Power sent a link to the download along with a link to the Blender.org Tutorials and Help page. With step-by-step guides at his artist friend's fingertips, he would be able to create just about anything he wanted. Blender could even help create 3D video games. To get his friend started, Power suggested that he begin on the Interface Tutorial page to get an idea of how each tool worked and how to interact with the Blender interface.
Though Power Downloader is no artist, he knows how to find the tools that artists need quickly. With Blender at his friend's disposal, Power hoped to see dazzling animations and rendered 3D objects coming in the mail some time in the future.
Jason Parker writes software reviews and features for Windows, Mac, and iPhone. If he learned to dance, it would make him a fabled "quadruple threat," but we can't get him to do it. 
If anyone wants to get into 3d design, I would suggest these 3 products. The price is perfect, free. The learning curve is not that steep. There is a very large quantity of free content available for Daz Studio.
You might be surprised what you can do without spending a lot of cash on 3d design programs.
If anyone wants to get into 3d design, I would suggest these 3 products. The price is perfect, free. The learning curve is not that steep. There is a very large quantity of free content available for Daz Studio.
You might be surprised what you can do without spending a lot of cash on 3d design programs.
It has a very unintuive interface and the guide talking about it does not help a lot.
Also it doesn't have a huge variety of tools, at least the ones you can clearly see in the hardly accesible interface.
Also, it is even hard to make an ultra-basic face since you can't easily "cut" parts from models or make them very "compact". Nor is it easily to SELECT OBJECTS.
And there you have it, these are the reasons you shouldn't download this. If you want something easier to use and more "compact" try Caligari trueSpace. It is a commercial product but it is so much worth it.
It has a very unintuive interface and the guide talking about it does not help a lot.
Also it doesn't have a huge variety of tools, at least the ones you can clearly see in the hardly accesible interface.
Also, it is even hard to make an ultra-basic face since you can't easily "cut" parts from models or make them very "compact". Nor is it easily to SELECT OBJECTS.
And there you have it, these are the reasons you shouldn't download this. If you want something easier to use and more "compact" try Caligari trueSpace. It is a commercial product but it is so much worth it.
But hey, if my 13 year old kid brother can use it, anyone can.
But hey, if my 13 year old kid brother can use it, anyone can.
it's really good.
i'm not narrating abt. the features bcoz other people have already done that...
it's really good.
i'm not narrating abt. the features bcoz other people have already done that...
It seems that they are simply moaners who do not take the time to look for something that is right in front of them.
Tutorials are, as the "Power Downloader" story says, available at the Blender website and there is a lot of advice at Secondlife's forums and blogs.
Bender, as well as Wings 3d and Daz Studio are really great and most importantly, FREE!
With a little "real" interest and motivation, anyone can within a week to a month, depending on how much time per day that they spend on the program, start earning some serious money doing something that they really enjoy!
It seems that they are simply moaners who do not take the time to look for something that is right in front of them.
Tutorials are, as the "Power Downloader" story says, available at the Blender website and there is a lot of advice at Secondlife's forums and blogs.
Bender, as well as Wings 3d and Daz Studio are really great and most importantly, FREE!
With a little "real" interest and motivation, anyone can within a week to a month, depending on how much time per day that they spend on the program, start earning some serious money doing something that they really enjoy!
There's blenderguide.org, a blender-specific directory with a focus on learning materials and resources.
Tutorial and community sites include blenderartists.org, blendernewbies.com, blenderunderground.com, the latter two focusing on video tutorials for beginners. There are others out there for intermediate and advanced subjects as well, just google "blender tutorials" and/or "blender video tutorials."
If you want help learning Blender, it's out there. A few hours of video tutorials will have you up and running. Give it a shot, you'll be glad you did. If you hate learning cool new things, disregard.
- by eagleatdawn November 22, 2009 6:40 AM PST
- more power to cnet
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