CNET Editors' review
If you've ever thought about making professional-quality animations but decided not to because of the cost of the software, your excuse just got up and walked out the door. Blender is a free, open-source 3D rendering program that puts the power of the medium back into the hands of the artist.
Blender features a laundry list of animation essentials that can be broken down into categories: Interface, Modeling, Rigging, Rendering, Animation, UV Unwrapping, Shading, Physics and Particles, Imaging and Compositing, and Real Time 3D/Game Creation. The interface, though loaded with complicated tools, is remarkable for neither obscuring nor interfering with the image being worked on. A brief sampling of tools and functions includes 3D paint for vertex weighing, polygon meshes, 2D and 3D procedural brushes, edge rendering, textures, collision simulation, and support for around two dozen 2D and 3D file formats. Extras can be added with Python scripting, and since it's open source, many scripts can be easily found for download in the user forums.
Blender is not for the faint of heart. Learning to use it is time-consuming and best done by following the detailed tutorials available on the Blender Web site. There is also an extensive online Blender community, making familiarization with the app less painful--if not pain-free. However, none of these detracts from the overall experience or usefulness of the program, and we strongly recommend it for advanced users.
Publisher's Description
From Blender:
Blender is the open-source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback. It is available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Its animations systems support a variety of techniques and tasks, allowing the creation of complex animations.
More Products to Consider
- View DWG, DXF, and DWF drawings.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create 3D models and upload them to Google Earth.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Simplify design process and gain better control over placement ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create, animate, and render 3D images on your PC.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Pose, animate, and render 3D Models in your own 3D Studio.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Construct complex 3D models from simple primitives or by using ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Print to PDF from Windows applications and optimize the PDF out...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create, animate, and render advanced 3D objects and scenes.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Open, view, and print any PDF file.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Draw images fully compliant with XML, SVG, and CSS standards.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Transform any printable document into PDF format.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Open, view, and convert Adobe PDF files.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Compile and generate AutoCAD Shapes or Fonts.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create stick-figure animations on your Windows PC.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Covert CAD files to shape files on PC.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create, visualize, document, and share your CAD projects.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create, remix, and publish 3D models online.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Convert your ESRI shapefiles to AutoCAD compatible files.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create your own games without coding.Download
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install - Open, view, edit, and save PDF files without Adobe Acrobat.Download
Installed
Smart Install - View, edit, convert, print, and save AutoCAD drawings as PDFs a...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Design primers to RefSeq genes automatically using primer3.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create digital photographs with the look and feel of film.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Convert PDF to Word file format.Download
Installed
Smart Install
-
All versions:
4.0 starsout of 143 votes
-
Current version:
5.0 starsout of 1 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-1 of 1
-
"Purely Awesome!!!"
Version: Blender 2.67b
Pros
Its amazing that software like this is free. If you are a graphic artist of any sort, 3D or not, this program can do everything. Its fun and very addictive!
Cons
Steep learning curve, non-intuitive interface, but its stable, works great and its free, so who cares.
Summary
Probably the best open source software in the world.
Results 1-1 of 1










