Create 3D models and animations. Generate meshes, polygons and shapes, and drag handlers or enter precise measures to resize them. Apply a wide range of visual effects, work with 3D printed models, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulating, sculpting, rendering, and many other tools.
Blender is intended to make high quality animations. Two obstacles usually prevent users from this type of applications. First and foremost, there is money, because 3D-rendering programs are prohibitively expensive for many users. Second, there is usability since using these tools requires a lot of expertise. Luckily, Blender is free, so that leaves only the second barrier left. This means that if you are not willing to spend long hours learning to use it and consulting the multiple tutorials available in the web, you had better look elsewhere, because this program is not for you.
Blender has a necessarily complex user graphic interface. Otherwise, it would have been practically impossible to include so many functions. However, the tools, functions and property dialog boxes packed into the interface do not interfere with working on the images. If you are already familiar with other similar software as 3D Studio, you will probably find many similarities. This could noticeably soften the learning curve.
Blender includes all the tools that are necessary for creating and animating 3D objects. They allow you to create meshes, polygons and shapes, which you can resize by simply dragging handlers or providing the exact measures. In addition, these objects can be animated in a time-line style, using the tools grouped under the headings: Modeling, Interface, Rigging, Animation, UV Unwrapping, Shading, Physics, Particles and Rendering.
Perhaps, some users would underestimate its potentialities because of its being free. Nothing to fear: Blender is in absolute terms one the best 3D-rendering applications. Multiple sample projects are available on line that prove how powerful its animation engine is. The program can be successfully used to create 3D animations, games and concepts.
v2.69 [Oct 19, 2011]
- 3D window: Armature-bones with wire draw type were not displaying in solid view mode - r41113
- 3D window header: After collapsing the pull-down menus, no icon available to make them show again. - r41117
- Dopesheet: Fixed crash when moving keys in editor - r41128
- Audio export: 7.1 export was being miscalculated - r41132
- Game Engine: Action actuator breaks animation. IPO options can be set too frequently - r41134
- 3D Window: missing updates when changing smoke flow settings - r41151
- Node editor: missing updates when assigning/removing Materials on Objects - r41152
- Adding a new pose to the Pose Library crashed - r41175
- Fix for un-handled exception in audio library - r41203
- Incorrect keying set names 'Scale' vs 'Scaling', where 'Scale' was hard coded in auto keyframe when 'Only Insert Needed' - r41211
- Python: RNA/API, getting Event.ascii would crash - r41214
- Addons / Exporter: Quake MAP export gives an error for UV textured geometry - r2504
Create a floor plan for your home and start adding walls and textures
Review 2D and 3D designs without using the application they were created in
