Re: Xara plus Blender questions
I've been reading this thread since the beginning and have found it extreamly interesting. I had blender a few years ago but found it too complicated. I then had TrueSpace installed but while trying to start it while reading this thread, it refused to open. Rebooting the computer, re-installing, nada, something has changed and the program is dead as far as I am concerned and has since been uninstalled. I downloaded the newest version of blender last winter but have not bothered to install it yet, possibly never will, who knows. Still, a very interesting thread.
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Try Blender again Frank, The newest version is 2.5 and I found that on the blender site they have some getting started tutorials, they are very helpful. And of course ask for help here, James has been very encouraging and helpful as have others. You may find it a bit frustrating at first, but don't give up! I'm starting to imagine some interesting stuff!
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Hello Frank,
I agree with Angelize. 3D is not for everyone, in that it takes patience and a different set of "tools" as many other approaches, but you won't know unless you give it a real effort.
Blender is a large program in terms of options, menus, etc., so it is intimidating, especially in the very beginning, where you feel all revved up and nowhere to go!
Divide and conquer (to me) is the only way to really learn it. Decide something you want to do and then track down the steps to make it happen. Start small. Another approach (and the one that I used, actually) is to decide that Blender is really an amalgam of functions...and thereby learn it function by function. I would read about certains functions in the program and then go try them out on something that I imagined. It allows you to expressly learn but while still being creative. (ie. more active than passive about it)
I'm glad to see that you're enjoying reading this thread. Even if I wasn't doing 3D stuff, I'd still find it interesting too. Since you're a Xara user, doubly so, because the two work well together.
If you take the plunge and run across problems or have questions, I'd be happy to help!
Take care
James
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Angelize, have you run across how-to make a reflective surface, like a Mirror? Tom
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Hi Tom, I've tried and had some success using the mirror panel in textures although I'm sure James would be the best one to ask about that, I've seen him post some very nice highly reflective stuff.
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Thanks angelize - Are you exporting you stuff from Xara as 'svg' to import into Blender? ( I downloading the Learning File & Intro due to my connection -eu wee they are big)
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Yes I have exported graphics that I want to extrude and model with as svg, textures and images that I map to objects I export as png.
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Thanks - I exported some extruded numbers, then imported to Blender - I didn't see a thing... Oh well, Maybe the Intro will Help me -(only another 1+ hour)
Re: Xara plus Blender questions
your svg object will be imported as a curve you need to convert to mesh see James explanation here post #41
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Re: Xara plus Blender questions
Hello
In creating a realistic mirrored surface in Blender, one of the most important things is to make the Diffuse color quite dark. Without this, the mirrored surface often looks overly plastic and artificial. Also, use a relatively high Reflectivity setting if it's really a mirror/chrome surface. If you have several mirrored surfaces in proximity, then you may have to turn up the depth to get the inter-reflections correct. (If the Depth is set to low, then once it has "bounced" the light "depth" number of times, it defaults to the environment coloring set in the World tab.)
Attachment 84155
The two spheres are identical except for the Diffuse color. The one on the left is white, the one on the right, black. Because the diffuse color is mixed in with the reflection, the one on the left looks more plastic or even slightly fake somehow. The one on the right, seems correct. Additionally, the sphere on the left looks like it is light, like some mylar balloon. The one on the right appears to have more mass, be more solid, more like chrome.
Hope this helps!
James
P.S. Something that really helps with simulating plastic-like surfaces is to use a touch of reflectivity. Without this hint of reflection, your mind doesn't quite believe it's real.