Present Time!

by Wes Burke

As cliche as it sounds, time seems to be passing remarkably fast here at Blender Cookie. It is becoming increasingly harder to keep up with everything going on with in the Blender community and Blender Cookie. The Durian project is in full swing, having just brought on another team member and progressing well on the film. Blender 2.5′s development continues at an astounding rate, with harmonic forces for particles recently being committed, the new sculpt mode and keymap editor are mostly here, and of course the power-house addition of Matt Ebb to the full time development team.

On the Blender Cookie front we are constantly adding new tutorials and resources, and we recently launched the Citizen Program with humbling response. With all of this, it has turned out to be an incredible holiday season as far as Blender is concerned. But we thought you might like a little extra to top off the holidays! Rudolph dropped this package off and we don’t have much need for it, perhaps you will all enjoy it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Best of wishes,

Jonathan and Wes

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Discussion

70 Responses to “Present Time!”
  1. InsanePenguin
    Posts: 6

    YES! Finally. Thanks guys.
    I have no idea what it is, taking an hour to download, must be great though.

    #
    1
     Dec 25, 2009 at 1:05 am
    Reply
  2. Tortoise3D
    Posts: 1

    Thanks¡¡¡
    Happy Xmas¡¡

    Saludos desde Mexico City..

    #
    2
     Dec 25, 2009 at 1:15 am
    Reply
  3. callmedata
    Posts: 16

    Guys,
    Happy Holidays and thank you so much for all you do. I had my first Blender evangelism experience the other day (I turned a friend on to Blender, and he has grand ideas already in the works), and I mentioned your site as the best education out there. Easy to find, comprehensive tutorials that get right to the point all the time, and all kinds of tips for us.

    I’m writing to say thank you (again), and I was reading up in the top paragraph for “Present Time!” and in the second paragraph you said the citizen program was launched with “humbling response”. I am concerned: is all not going well with that? Because I love it. The alien face modeling tutorial has some invaluable information in there concerning facial construction and edge loops, just the kind of stuff I was looking for. I hope all is well in cookieland.

    Keep up the good work, and I look forward to your future endeavors. Whatever you do, please don’t give up on us, you guys are like the missing manual for blender.

    Thanks,
    Mike

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    3
     Dec 25, 2009 at 1:24 am
    Reply
  4. Amyrildora
    Posts: 2

    Downloading now, Cant wait to see what it is..Big file..Must be great!

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    4
     Dec 25, 2009 at 2:00 am
    Reply
  5. adin davis
    Posts: 50

    Thanks! Although, I’m gonna sleep and find out what it is in the morning with the rest of my gifts. Happy Holidays!

    -Adin

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    5
     Dec 25, 2009 at 3:07 am
    Reply
  6. Nixon
    Posts: 61

    AWESOME!!!!
    MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE OVER AT BLENDERCOOKIE!!!
    I can’t wait to see whats inside this present but I’m sure it rocks just like this site does!!!
    Thank you WES, JONATHAN, KERNON, DAVID an EVERYONE adding to this site.

    Best wishes and a happy holiday for you!!!
    Regards
    Nixon

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    6
     Dec 25, 2009 at 4:04 am
    Reply
  7. Gorka Mendieta
    Posts: 5

    Thanks!! 4% and downloading.
    merry christmas and happy new year!!!!

    #
    7
     Dec 25, 2009 at 4:17 am
    Reply
  8. Tiivik
    Posts: 5

    Thanks a lot! 3% and downloading. Oh yeaa. ;)

    #
    8
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:09 am
    Reply
  9. Thomas
    Posts: 8

    At 7 %.
    Merry Merry Christmas, and better yet: a happy new year.

    #
    9
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:13 am
    Reply
  10. Robert Love
    Posts: 6

    Thanks for the effort and Merry Christmas. Seems that the file is corrupted.

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    10
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:13 am
    Reply
  11. Tiivik
    Posts: 5

    Yeah, it happened to me too on the first try on downloading. Corrupted. Now 10% and i hope it will finish correctly.

    #
    11
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:15 am
    Reply
  12. Thomas
    Posts: 8

    Just saw the present.
    They had a lot of WORK with it.
    The SITE is hopefully not overloaded.

    #
    12
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:40 am
    Reply
  13. Darrell
    Posts: 20

    Wow, thanks for the present! The video is a cool watch.

    (The first time I downloaded it, it only came out to 4xx MB, so I had to re-download it again, and it worked out fine.)

    #
    13
     Dec 25, 2009 at 6:23 am
    Reply
  14. polecativ
    Posts: 7

    Thank you guyyyys! Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks to bring us so much knowledge! Keep rockin’!

    CRiS

    #
    14
     Dec 25, 2009 at 7:05 am
    Reply
  15. spacetug
    Posts: 8

    dude!
    521 MB!?!?!
    must be a free tutorial, or something………?

    #
    15
     Dec 25, 2009 at 7:30 am
    Reply
  16. bnbgobo99
    Posts: 3

    Thank you for this gift, BlenderCookie! This site is a valuable resource to Blender users everywhere and I wish you all continued success in 2010! :)

    #
    16
     Dec 25, 2009 at 8:13 am
    Reply
  17. Ricardo Augusto
    Posts: 1

    Whoa! That’s a lot of cool stuff! Thank you very much!

    My download also stopped almost in the end, but after continuing it, the file was ok.

    Happy holidays!

    #
    17
     Dec 25, 2009 at 8:32 am
    Reply
  18. Dominik K.
    Posts: 38

    Wohoooo very cool gift :) Thank you guys.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    #
    18
     Dec 25, 2009 at 9:19 am
    Reply
  19. Tiivik
    Posts: 5

    Super neat stuff! Thanks a lot!

    #
    19
     Dec 25, 2009 at 9:25 am
    Reply
  20. TiQ
    Posts: 1

    Yeah i hope its great.I cant wait

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    20
     Dec 25, 2009 at 9:36 am
    Reply
  21. gordycookies09
    Posts: 12

    Thank you so much, guys. Keep up the great work.
    Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

    #
    21
     Dec 25, 2009 at 10:05 am
    Reply
  22. Robert Love
    Posts: 6

    Downloaded second time and everything was OK. Great gift. Thank you. You guys rock.

    #
    22
     Dec 25, 2009 at 10:45 am
    Reply
  23. deBreyne
    Posts: 9

    Merry Christmas!!!

    #
    23
     Dec 25, 2009 at 10:49 am
    Reply
  24. jachristie79
    Posts: 24

    Thank you guys for being remarkably generous! I hope to someday create the same level of tutorials to share with everyone as well.

    #
    24
     Dec 25, 2009 at 11:03 am
    Reply
  25. potadotomado
    Posts: 65

    521mb? I don’t have to wait ’till Christmas, I have to wait till Christmas + 512mb.

    #
    25
     Dec 25, 2009 at 11:13 am
    Reply
  26. machcrit
    Posts: 14

    Awesome gift! Thanks, guys! I’ve really learned alot from this site.

    Merry Christmas!

    #
    26
     Dec 25, 2009 at 11:33 am
    Reply
  27. Tobey
    Posts: 98

    Woooo, finally :-)

    4.4% atm, thanks a bunch for whatever it is guys!

    Happy holidays Wes, Jonathan, Kernon, David, everyone.

    Thumbs up for the upcoming year, not only regarding Blender.

    #
    27
     Dec 25, 2009 at 12:04 pm
    Reply
  28. Shiretoko
    Posts: 7

    Wow that’s insane!

    #
    28
     Dec 25, 2009 at 12:24 pm
    Reply
  29. Solineoz
    Posts: 95

    What a big gift :)
    Thanks a lot for that present and happy holidays to all of you and the blender community :)

    #
    29
     Dec 25, 2009 at 2:18 pm
    Reply
  30. darkcellar
    Posts: 32

    Very cool. Thanks! And happy holidays.

    #
    30
     Dec 25, 2009 at 2:52 pm
    Reply
  31. Thomas
    Posts: 8

    Nobody understanded my hint?
    Oh well…..

    #
    31
     Dec 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm
    Reply
    • wesburke
      Posts: 298

      Hah, took me a couple times of re-reading, but I picked up on it. ;)

      #
      31.1
       Dec 25, 2009 at 11:22 pm
      Reply
  32. adin davis
    Posts: 50

    I liked the wallpapers. :3
    The model is astonishing as well and the time lapse was very enjoyable to watch. Thanks for the great gifts.

    #
    32
     Dec 25, 2009 at 3:18 pm
    Reply
  33. clavigula
    Posts: 6

    Thank you verry much. A great gift.

    Merry Christmas,
    Clavigula

    #
    33
     Dec 25, 2009 at 5:16 pm
    Reply
  34. Orangedragon
    Posts: 1

    Merry Christmas to you guys! Thank you so much for making tutorials and explaining all yours steps. It’s been helping me out a lot. Right mow I’m working on a video for English showing off the aspects of CG animation and modeling, and you guys have been a very big help in creating stuff! Thanks again. Can’t wait to see what this is… 13%… come on…

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    34
     Dec 25, 2009 at 6:02 pm
    Reply
  35. Tobey
    Posts: 98

    Impressive piece of work. Glad you chose a more advanced piece of machinery to model for the demonstration of dealing with varied modeling issues. Thanks again for the great gift, GJ Jonathan.

    #
    35
     Dec 25, 2009 at 6:07 pm
    Reply
  36. Pascal P.
    Posts: 13

    Thank you very much for the cool present!!! Blender Cookie rooooocks!!! Merry Christmas to you all!

    By the way, cool T-shirts on the pic. Have you ever thought of selling some CG/Blender Cookie merchandise (tees, mugs, stickers…)? ;)

    #
    36
     Dec 25, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    Reply
  37. Reyn
    Posts: 4

    Wow! Nice surprise. ^_^

    #
    37
     Dec 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm
    Reply
  38. Michael R.
    Posts: 12

    Awww, thanks guys ^_^ . and hey, I can actually use this stuff too. Thanks for everything, you guys are great.

    #
    38
     Dec 25, 2009 at 10:46 pm
    Reply
  39. Fleye
    Posts: 2

    Just started downloading. I guess it will have to wait to be opened. Earlier comments from others have assured me That it’s not my imagination. This is one big, Big, BIG PRESENT!
    Thanks guys.

    #
    39
     Dec 25, 2009 at 11:08 pm
    Reply
  40. wesburke
    Posts: 298

    Hey guys – we are almost at 900 downloads of this present! That is insane for one day, glad you are enjoying it!

    #
    40
     Dec 25, 2009 at 11:24 pm
    Reply
  41. Latif
    Posts: 6

    hey guys thanx to you and your site of learned a lot. my teacher first brought me on to blender a month ago and now ive surpassed him with your help ofcourse. awsome present and i dont even celebrate xmas. THANX A LOT!!!!!!

    #
    41
     Dec 26, 2009 at 1:01 am
    Reply
  42. Darth_Gimp
    Posts: 24

    thanks guys! How long will this be up for download?

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    42
     Dec 26, 2009 at 1:01 am
    Reply
    • wesburke
      Posts: 298

      For quite a bit, and we talked on eventually moving it over to free stuff once we get back to full work pace again after the holidays.

      #
      42.1
       Dec 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm
      Reply
  43. Casper
    Posts: 5

    Definately wishing you all the best for the season although having to report the ‘package’ above seems to be only issuing ‘corrupted’ file and having driven through ice and snow to reach my computer only to see what it is, a little disappointed. Anyone do feel free to hint at what marvellousness sleeps in the bow tied box!

    Cheers

    Casper

    #
    43
     Dec 26, 2009 at 11:55 am
    Reply
  44. mar00n_mamm0th
    Posts: 3

    Hi, I have not experienced corruption but when I download the .zip and try to unarchive it (I am running on a Mac, OSX Tiger) It will start opening and usually near the end will pause and will not allow me to cancel, the rest of my computer will function but I have to turn off my computer to close the frozen unarchiving program. Long story short I can download it, do not get a “corrupted” notification, but can not open the file. Does this have anything to do with the fact that I am using a Mac?

    #
    44
     Dec 26, 2009 at 2:22 pm
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1394

      This should have nothing to do with being on a Mac, we tested the file on both Windows and Mac machines. What you might try is using a third part unarchiving application (I cannot think of one off the top of my head for Mac…), there may be some compatibility issues with the archive while using the zip utility in OS X.

      #
      44.1
       Dec 26, 2009 at 5:50 pm
      Reply
      • mar00n_mamm0th
        Posts: 3

        I finally downloaded it via DownThemAll that was suggested by corniger :D THIS IS THE BEST PRESENT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS! I want to thank both you and Wes Burke for giving so much out to the blender community.

        #
        44.1.1
         Dec 28, 2009 at 12:24 pm
  45. Nixon
    Posts: 61

    Thanks you so much Wes, Jonathan, Kernon and David!!!
    This box of stuff was so awesome….
    I dont wanna spoil any infos here so all I can say is WOW…(loved the music too and well everything;))

    Whole Blendercookie went so huge and awesome in the last months it only can be described as OWNAGE!

    #
    45
     Dec 26, 2009 at 8:02 pm
    Reply
  46. sendercorp
    Posts: 208

    Merry Christmas and a happy new year .
    I know this will make me happy

    thank you all :)

    #
    46
     Dec 26, 2009 at 8:42 pm
    Reply
  47. corniger
    Posts: 40

    Great idea, guys :) Now I really hope you’re enjoying your holidays! Because 2010 is gonna get INSAAAANE! Now 2010 is but still gonna be within that depression and you’re gonna explode anyway, so use it to brace yourselves for 2011! 2012 is countdown to extinction, so don’t bother :D

    I really DIG the excavator and I can perfectly translate it to all the mechanics tuts coming with it. That screams for: ROBOT TUTORIAL! (you give ‘em your pinky, they’ll rip off the arm…)

    @everybody having downloading problems: use DOWNTHEMALL for Firefox. The Cookie-Leech0r hath spoken.

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    47
     Dec 27, 2009 at 6:13 am
    Reply
  48. Solineoz
    Posts: 95

    Same for me… got corrupted file every time I tried to download with the !@#$ IE8′s download manager. I switch to Flashget (windows) then it worked really fine.

    IE’s download manager seems to have trouble to handle large file. Maybe due to my temp size. The file was only 237 megs when it said that is corrupt. But in fact it’s really a 512 megs file.

    Hope this could be helpfull to some who had the same problems.

    @ Jonathan W – Did you made it (Exc…) to be rigged later ?? Cause I tried a simple “hydraulic cylinder” rig, using your “Rigging A Piston” tut, but had some issue with the axis, cylinder’s axis flipped when they pass a certain point in space.

    #
    48
     Dec 27, 2009 at 2:32 pm
    Reply
  49. adin davis
    Posts: 50

    Took me a few days to get around to this question but…

    What music is featured on the time lapse video? Good stuff and I want it! :D

    #
    49
     Dec 28, 2009 at 1:50 am
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1394

      The music is Juno Reactor and Paul Oakenfold :) Great blending music.

      #
      49.1
       Dec 28, 2009 at 10:41 am
      Reply
  50. sendercorp
    Posts: 208

    Yeah music is fine , that ….. mexican gold …. I hope you guys have no (c) issues on the tracks. I know Jonathan is very serious on those topics :) ) , which is excellent indeed.

    #
    50
     Dec 28, 2009 at 6:20 am
    Reply
    • adin davis
      Posts: 50

      Shhhh… keep it on the down low, yo.

      #
      50.1
       Dec 28, 2009 at 5:33 pm
      Reply
  51. Corniger
    Posts: 40

    Ooooh btw. I forgot to mention Jonathan’s INK! I work in a Tattoo studio since 6 years, so that kinda hit me concerning the rural background I imagine :) And also that whole really nice pdf. Greedy kids, always crazy for the presents, but not appreciating the nice wrapping paper!

    #
    51
     Dec 29, 2009 at 2:21 pm
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1394

      Ha yeah, my rural background and tattoos do not mix so well ;) What shop do you work in?

      #
      51.1
       Dec 29, 2009 at 2:53 pm
      Reply
  52. thiagokolb
    Posts: 119

    valeu pelo presente :D

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

    #
    52
     Dec 29, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    Reply
  53. Corniger
    Posts: 40

    Piercing-city.at, that’s where I be, dawg! Part-time only. Need money to do the work I like without getting the shakes every now and then because people and paying bills doesn’t always mix :)
    But it’s fun and I sure know a good tat and a bad one. Haven’t had any myself since 15 years though…

    #
    53
     Dec 30, 2009 at 2:14 pm
    Reply
  54. Solineoz
    Posts: 95

    @ Jonathan Williamson – Did you made the (Exc…) to be rigged later ?? Cause I tried a simple “hydraulic cylinder” rig, using your “Rigging A Piston” tut, but had some issue with the axis, cylinder’s axis flipped when they pass a certain point in space.

    #
    54
     Dec 31, 2009 at 12:53 pm
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1394

      A rigging tutorial for this model is in fact in the pipeline. Keep an eye out for it soon!

      #
      54.1
       Dec 31, 2009 at 1:14 pm
      Reply
    • corniger
      Posts: 40

      Hah, I’ll have to redo this tut anyway. Never got the logo/cylinder to stay in the front, also some axis trouble :) Great there’s another one coming up!

      #
      54.2
       Jan 1, 2010 at 6:19 am
      Reply
  55. Solineoz
    Posts: 95

    Yeah, sounds good to me :)
    @ Jonathan Williamson – Made by you ??

    #
    55
     Jan 1, 2010 at 11:50 am
    Reply
  56. Pawel
    Posts: 24

    Could you say what’s the music in the background of the excavator timelapse video?
    Thanks

    #
    56
     Jan 10, 2010 at 8:34 am
    Reply
  57. ronnin2011
    Posts: 1

    muchas gracias por el regalo y por todos los aportes, me han servido mucho.

    Bogotá (Colombia)

    #
    57
     Jan 10, 2010 at 11:36 am
    Reply
  58. iamthethio
    Posts: 1

    Thank you all of you for this present.

    I hope to know you guys in person someday.

    In spanish something

    Que Viva BlenderCookie y toda la Raza de blender que apoyamos al open-source

    Larga vida para Blender y BlenderCookie

    #
    58
     Dec 20, 2010 at 1:22 am
    Reply
  59. DoubleD from Italy
    Posts: 3

    Grazie per il regalo!!
    Siete e resterete sempre i migliori!!

    Thanks for the present!!
    You are and you will be the best forever!!

    Blender Rulez

    #
    59
     Dec 20, 2010 at 9:45 am
    Reply
  60. oscar
    Posts: 3

    This portal One’s the best resources of Blender

    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge for all!

    The best wishes for 2011!

    Greetings from Colombia.

    #
    60
     Jan 4, 2011 at 6:19 pm
    Reply

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