Workshop Beginner

Getting Started with Blender: Model, Light, Render!

Approved

Session Description

Blender is a free and opensource software for 3D modeling, animation, VFX and sculpting among other things. This year's Oscar winner for the Best Animated Feature Film was made using Blender. If you are curious, lookup the film "Flow".

This workshop is intended for beginners who want to quickly get started with creating 3D models using Blender. We will start with simple things like navigating the UI, understand coordinate systems, and then move on to basic 3D modelling, before getting into materials, lights, camera placement and rendering.

Outline:

Introduction to Blender
3D Graphics Basics: Coordinate System, 3D Objects, Rendering Modes
Quick Introduction to Blender UI and Navigation
Adding Simple Shapes: Cube, Cone, Cylinder etc.
Basic 3D Operations: Move, Rotate, Scale, Pan, Zoom and Spin.
Building a Complex Shape: Tree, Grass and a Small Terrain (and hopefully a character if time permits)
Adding Colors and Materials
Camera Setup & Rendering

Key Takeaways

Participants will get to apply all the concepts learned in this workshop by working on a mini-project. It is highly recommended that participants bring a laptop with the latest version of Blender already installed.

In April and May this year, I conducted two workshops on Blender Basics online - and I have briefly spoken about it during the lightning talk I gave at FOSSUnited's May meetup in Bengaluru. Link to the video is given below.

In my previous workshops, I would guide participants to create a simple table-vase scene, but this time I hope to do something different, something elaborate and fun.

References

https://youtu.be/154pqz_T3pE

Session Categories

Tutorial about using a FOSS project

Which track are you applying for?

Main track

Speakers

Advay Skanda Udupa

Open-Learner

I started open-learning when I was 5 years old—first with aarohilife.org, and now independently as a 14-year-old. About three years ago, I was looking for tools to help me create visuals for the stories I wanted to tell, and that’s when I discovered Blender. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed learning it, creating with it, and helping others get started too.

Reviews

This workshop could create interest for many participants and might be good start.

Reviewer #1 Approved

This could be a fun workshop. Blender's UI can be different and even intimidating (in spite on the famous right click selection change). Nothing like some handholding to get off the ground.

The proposal talks about something "elaborate and fun". This is a good teaser, but doesn't help potential attendees decide if attending the workshop (spending 3 hrs) is worth it. I highly recommend that we ask the proposer for an outline covering the timeslot for the workshop, and update the description.

Also recommend adding some pre-requisites. E.g. most users of blender prefer a mouse. Showing up to the workshop without one lead to some frustration.

Reviewer #2 Approved

This workshop could be niche for FOSS audience. Please add more details on prerequisites and how it could be relevant for someone who is not so into 3D Models.

Reviewer #3 Approved