Blender User Reviews
Spectacular
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"More capabilities than I know what to do with"
Version: Blender 2.62
Pros
This is a great software. I'm not much of an animator, but I've tried some things with it and it works well. I've heard that it's professional quality, which is amazing for a freeware. If you can figure out a way to learn it, go for it. This should help. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro
Cons
Hard to figure out. Maybe it's just me, but I'm totally new to animation software, and I would be lost without the link I provided. Also, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to export a video that I had animated into an actual video file. It seems there are plugins you can download for that kind of thing. I know you can get one on creativecow.net to export into after effects. Only problem is that the tutorial and this plugin were both made for version 2.49. The current version is newer, and some things are different. If you can understand the software and have the plugins you need, I don't see anything wrong with it. Just be warned, rendering video takes a LONG time (hours), A faster computer does help, but even then, there's quite a wait. Make sure you save a lot as asking too much of your processor can also crash the program.
Summary
If you have a decent-sized hard drive, I don't see any reason not to get this. It's fun to have even if you can't do a tenth of the things that are possible. Don't expect it to be easy to learn, or to do complicated things (especially rendering) quickly. If you're looking for professional-quality software, I would strongly recommend it, but then again, I'm nowhere near professional quality, so what do I know?
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"Awesome 3D picture and animation making program!"
Version: Blender 2.61
Pros
Very easy to use, realistic forces. They also have a very nice set of tutorials at http://www.blender.org/education-help/tutorials/?vm=r
Cons
Hard to get used to the functions.
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"Excellent product and it's free and open source :)"
Version: Blender 2.60a
Pros
Great product and it's open source :)
Cons
No cons, it's free and open source
Summary
It's a really powerful modeling package. It's free and open source. As an OpenGL programmer it's source code was very, very helpful. Open source is the future :)
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"Outstanding stuff"
Version: Blender 2.59
Pros
Free, loaded with everything you need to animate, model, and enjoy.
Cons
Some people say theirs crashes sometimes. I think it may be processor power or type that causes the crash. Just save more often.
Summary
You can not beat this software. It matches up with so many high end free soft-wares out there today. Open Office, Paint.net, and so many more are surprisingly powerful to a level that people can not use all the options. I took two classes on Blender - it is amazing and powerful!!
I wish I could upload some of my work.
Updated on Sep 24, 2011 -
"good find...thank's"
Version: Blender 2.57b
Pros
a good opportunity to create...eksperemintirovat...learn...
Cons
hard to learn-easy...in work...
Summary
those who are not afraid of difficulties -recommend it!
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"was not what i was looking for...i think"
Version: Blender 2.49b
Pros
it loaded. i opened it ,if i become more knowledgable i may try it again.
Cons
i could not seem to load files to work with , or create anything.it asked me to download additional vyper or something(i did) . software did not seem to have a recognizable workflow .gui was sparse and cryptic.
Summary
i was probably the weak link .i would give it the benefit of the doubt and download it .especially if you are a game developer.ME? i'm just some shmuck that would like to animate his original artwork , and add his original music,narration, foley, and sweetener track .in a usable file format like avi,mp4 ,wmv,flv ,etc..
.apparently i need to up my game a bit. -
"Blender 2.5 it out with User Interface very improved."
Version: Blender 2.49b
Pros
Long list of features, Ease of Use -- Yes, I mean EASE OF USE Beginning with the New User Interface in 2.5
Cons
The Blender 3D Community is growing, and it should grow faster as it's is integrated with ADOBEs great 3D Engine it has licensed for Flash announced at Adobe MAX 2011, and additionally the "Molehill 3D APIs"
Summary
AutoDesk has its followers entrenched.
But the long term future, I believe, is in the hands of the Open Source Blender 3D project. Adobe's "Hero" SDK for high-performance Mobile Gaming Experience as well as its 4k Full frame-rate Video experience with at time 0% CPU usage, demonstrated at Adobe MAX 2010, shows that there are changes in the wind here. More of us will write Python extensions and more of us will support The Blender Foundation which has brought us short-titles, but of the highest quality and storyline, such as Big Buck Bunny and many others ... see www.Blender.org -
"powerfull opensource 3d software"
Version: Blender 2.49b
Pros
Easy to use and learn
Cons
for me this products is never
Summary
I has experience working with blender more 3 year. its very cool 3d opensource software and use full in every animation production.
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"brilliant product for serious 3d animation enthusiasts"
Version: Blender 2.49b
Pros
professional quality 3d for free. Though i have not seen or tried other professional 3d products to compare on a common platform, but with so much for free, I may never buy anything else. Plenty of learning material on the net, specially blenderwiki.
Cons
steep learning curve, but its worth the effort if you are serious
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"WAY AWESOME!"
Version: Blender 2.49b
Pros
The thing I like best about Blender is really about the teacher I learned from - Super3boy, found on Youtube. With Super3boy, learning & modeling with Blender became easy! I've made models that I could actually import into other home design software.
Cons
The Wiki & Manual for Blender is way too technical and seems to speak ONLY to professionals. Besides, the instructions don't seem to work when applied.
Summary
I LOVE BLENDER! I would recommend it to any designer, artist, gamer, etc. But you MUST learn from Super3boy (nystic.com). Otherwise, good luck.
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