Introducing Character Animation with Blender

Description

* Used for architectural modeling, product modeling, and illustration, Blender is the free, open source, powerful multipurpose 3D modeling and animation tool that is gaining a following among animators
* This book teaches readers the complete process of modeling and animating, including other functions related to character work such as softbodies and particle hair
* Written in a friendly but professional tone, with clear descriptions and a color insert that provides real-world examples from talented Blender users around the world
* Offers tutorials that focus on how to accomplish actual animation goals while illustrating the necessary technical methods along the way
* The companion DVD includes the complete Blender installation executable for Windows, Mac, and Linux; the world's first open source movie, Elephants Dream; a great collection of utility software; and all the project files used to accompany the book's tutorials

 

 

PART I: CREATING A CHARACTER WITH BLENDER.

Chapter 1. Blender Basics: Interface and Objects.

Chapter 2. Working with Meshes.

Chapter 3. Completing the Model with Materials, Textures, and Particles.

Chapter 4. Armatures and Rigging.

Chapter 5. Shape Keys and Facial Rigging.

PART II: BRINGING IT TO LIFE: ANIMATION.

Chapter 6. Basics of Animation.

Chapter 8. Facial Animation and Lip Sync.

Chapter 9. Nonlinear Animation.

Chapter 10. Further Issues in Character Animation.

Chapter 11. Lighting, Rendering, and Editing Your Animation.

Chapter 12. Using Python Scripts.

PART III: BLENDER IN PRODUCTION.

Chapter 13. Full-scale Productions: Elephants Dream and Plumiferos.

Chapter 14. A Look Into Elephants Dream.

Chapter 15. Feifi the Canary: Plumiferos Takes Wing.

Chapter 16. Blender in the Pipeline.

PART IV: BLENDER AND BEYOND.

Chapter 17. Other Software and Formats.

Chapter 18. Resources for Further Learning.