The Eurofurence Forum

Eurofurence Information => Programming => Topic started by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 09:40:25

Title: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 09:40:25
I was wondering if anybody is interested in this awfully newbie-unfriendly piece of software. I think I have ideas for a panel, and I could probably organize it.

I'm thinking about telling some things about Blender in general, about its features, pros and cons, and then we could practice. Which is why it would be awesome if listeners could bring computers with keyboards and mouses (mice XD), so we could throw in a little... I don't wanna say "master-class" because I'm not a master, just an enthusiast,.. let's call it a seminar, or a workshop. A place to exchange experience.

If anyone has suggestions, I'm open for them.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: Akeela on 09.04.2015, 17:01:14
I would be quite interested in such a panel, and would certainly bring my laptop and a graphics tablet.
-Aki
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 17:07:07
Graphics tablet might come in handy if we do sculpting ;)
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 09.04.2015, 18:11:08
I am VERY interested, I watched tons of tutorials already and want to be able to wrap my head around Blender's "unique" workflow and tools.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 18:21:12
Sure! Any specific wishes?

Blender can be used as a video editing tool, and, strangely, it is one of the most functional free video editors out there. From my experience it is a bit tedious, especially if you're not a seasoned Blender user already. But still, pretty usable.

There is even an article praising it, I was really surprised.
http://opensource.com/life/15/1/current-state-linux-video-editing
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 09.04.2015, 18:55:30
Personally I want to do 3D stuff with Blender, for video editing I use Edius already.
I am a Softimage guy, but since this great software was discontinued and buried by Autodesk I am looking for alternatives and although I am aware of the fact, that Blender isn't a proper replacement for Soft currently, I want to start using it, exploring the limits and finding out how to integrate it into my workflow.
So, at this time I would be interested to learn basic things, how to model and animate, but also how to organise scenes, setup projects and how to work around Blenders limited asset management.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 19:03:59
Blender, being a jack-of-all-trades and master of nothing, cannot replace anything. Every commercial piece of 3D software has a certain field in which it is superior. Plus, industrial giants have much stuff available out-of-the-box, while Blender requires lots of googling and plugin searching.

On the other hand, it's customizable, you can make nearly anything out of it, if you wish. 8)
It may require some effort though.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: Suran on 09.04.2015, 19:23:20
can it be modified to have a usable user interface?
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 09.04.2015, 19:53:47
@OmniSable:
Yep, I know, it's definately not a "Make-cool-demoreel-with-one-click" app.

@Suran:
The answer is YES, because it's opensource, just start to write your own user interface :)
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 09.04.2015, 19:58:31
Of course. Moreover, to some extent you don't require big programming skills, because you can modify the Python code of the interface, and it is not incredibly tricky (I mean the modification procedure, not Python as a language).

For more in-depth stuff you may try to make your own plugins, also in Python.

C programming and recompiling the code is probably required for something REALLY fundamental. XD
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 21.04.2015, 13:32:29
BTW, do I need to write a e-mail somewhere to make this event official? And what do I need to write in it?
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 21.04.2015, 23:37:12
http://www.eurofurence.org/EF21/contact
Switch "Department" to "Programming".
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 22.05.2015, 09:31:25
Allright! This one is confirmed! ;D

Gonna happen, unless I drown along the road to EF.  :o
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 02.08.2015, 02:53:28
Unfortunately the Blender panel overlaps with the fursuit parade  :(
I will try to be there, maybe arriving a bit later, but cannot guarantee anything.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 04.08.2015, 09:37:13
Awww.

At least it doesn't overlap fully with it. Only half an hour. 8)
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: Akulatraxas on 04.08.2015, 10:05:09
The fursuit Parade has some "buffer" time planned into the timeslot. So if you have luck it dont overlap at all :)
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: Klaatu on 05.08.2015, 00:25:30
Aww, I clicked on this topic, hoping this panel is Blendtec (https://www.youtube.com/user/Blendtec)-related. :(

Will it blend? That is the question.
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 05.08.2015, 07:37:15
Blender can do it virtually XD.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to prepare this topic for this panel, but in the upcoming years I might develop something. Destroying things in a blender made in Blender. Fun topic X3
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: CleanerWolf on 25.08.2015, 01:22:07
Thank you for this panel, Omnisable. Although for me personally there was not much new to learn, because I seem to be a little bit ahead of the basic introduction stuff already, I think you did a very good job to structure the information and to focus on relevant stuff. 
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: OmniSable on 25.08.2015, 15:35:56
@CleanerWolf
Thank you! I wanted to tell so much more, but there was not enough time.
I think that next time I'll try to be more specific. And more related to the fandom. Like, focus on sculpting or game-making. And of course, I need more funny moments to keep everyone awake XD
Title: Re: A panel about Blender.
Post by: meo on 27.08.2015, 06:50:19
Does someone has recorded that panel or do you upload the slides (if you got some)?