Blender Inside Out – Blender for Experienced 3D Artists

by Jonathan Williamson

A complete training DVD intended for Experienced 3D Artists that wish to learn Blender! On pre-sale now

This training DVD, by Jonathan Williamson, is intended for experienced 3D artists that wish to quickly learn and adapt to Blender. Through this DVD you will become familiar with many of the standard tools Blender offers, be introduced to the way Blender works and be given a tour of many of the bells and whistles Blender offers through it’s advanced feature set.

This training has been created and reviewed by professional artists with a wealth of experience with commercial 3D packages.

 Available through the blender.org e-shop!

Every purchase of this DVD goes directly to the Blender Foundation to support its projects and the further development of Blender.

 

Sample Video: Using the Search Tool

Sample Video: Extrude and Inset Tools


DVDs will be ready (and in your mailbox) before August 5 – we also will spread free copies at the Blender Siggraph booth.

A perfect gift for your Maya or Max friends!

Training Outline

(Note: outline is subject to change)

Chapter 1: Getting Started
Touring the interface, the key basics to survive Blender quickly: Selections, transforms, and search!

Chapter 2: Making Blender work for you
Customizing the UI, preferences and changing shortcuts.

Chapter 3: Mesh Modeling
Based on common tools and metaphors from other programs, the modeler is being explained in 20 short sections.

Chapter 4: UV Unwrapping
An introduction on using Blenders UV tools. These tutorials will quickly explain how it works.

Chapter 5: Using Blender’s Animation System
This chapter gives the big picture of the Blender timeline, dope sheet, graph editor, working with key-frames, animation curves, and using the rigging system.

Chapter 6: Materials, Lighting and Rendering
Both Blender render engines are being introduced, including the new node-based shading system for the Cycles raytrace engine.

Chapter 7: Using Add-ons for Extra Functionality
Many python add-ons are bundled with Blender for additional features and tools to better optimize your workflow. This chapter gives an overview of several key add-ons.

Chapter 8: Solving Common Problems and Tips for Success
Perfection does not exist; also Blender has half working features and bugs. This chapter shows some of the current issues, bypasses and especially how to get support and your issues solved!

Chapter 9: Bells and Whistles
The show-off chapter; Blender offers a wealth of advanced features that go well beyond the usual fundamental tools. This includes a quick look at the fluid and smoke simulator, the particles system, the compositing and post production tools, and more.

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Discussion

55 Responses to “Blender Inside Out – Blender for Experienced 3D Artists”
  1. Riley Lowe
    Posts: 8

    First Cant wait

    #
    1
     Jun 30, 2012 at 12:14 pm
  2. powlly
    Posts: 29

    great must pick this up. :)

    #
    2
     Jun 30, 2012 at 12:42 pm
  3. Avarus
    Posts: 15

    Really? You chose a pink interface to teach experienced artists how to migrate and use Blender? Damaging to the eyes, no? :)

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    3
     Jun 30, 2012 at 12:50 pm
    • Avarus
      Posts: 15

      Haha its just the preview screen! Thank gard….

      #
      3.1
       Jun 30, 2012 at 12:51 pm
      • Jonathan Williamson
        Posts: 2965

        Haha yeah, leave it to YouTube to decimate the preview image. I used the default theme for the whole DVD.

        #
        3.1.1
         Jun 30, 2012 at 1:29 pm
  4. powlly
    Posts: 29

    well i just ordered it. and cant wait to get it delivered. :)

    #
    4
     Jun 30, 2012 at 1:37 pm
  5. Craig Duerksen
    Posts: 4

    Can I get it with out using PayPal?

    #
    5
     Jun 30, 2012 at 1:49 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      You can order through Paypal with a credit or debit card. No need to actually have a PayPal account (I don’t think.

      #
      5.1
       Jun 30, 2012 at 1:59 pm
  6. Ryan Summey
    Posts: 36

    “A perfect gift for your Maya or Max friends!” HAHAH awesome blender for life it needs to take over the market share!

    #
    6
     Jun 30, 2012 at 2:51 pm
  7. colpolstudios
    Posts: 28

    Plan on getting this myself I learned two new things just from watching the free demos.

    Is the offer a limited one ?

    #
    7
     Jun 30, 2012 at 4:15 pm
    • Jeff Bessette
      Posts: 256

      I believe the pre-order price is cheaper until the DVD is in the store – then the price goes up. So if you plan on getting it I’d pre-order it. :D

      #
      7.1
       Jun 30, 2012 at 7:34 pm
  8. George Lakie
    Posts: 85

    Hi Jonathon: Just a quick question. Is there anything in this DVD for someone like me (more or less a beginner with just 2 years experience)that has only used Blender for learning 3D?

    #
    8
     Jun 30, 2012 at 6:34 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      Hi there,

      The DVD is intended for experienced artists that are already familiar with how the tools work, just not necessarily with Blender’s implementation of them. I think you’ll still find some great value in it but you may find some portions quick and difficult to follow. It is more about the “how” and not the “why”.

      #
      8.1
       Jun 30, 2012 at 8:43 pm
  9. Matt
    Posts: 3

    “Did you know that Bullet Physics was created by a Blender developer and was added to Blender in 2005 already?”

    This is the sort of ridiculous, over-enthusiastic hyperbole that frequently comes out of blender promoters, but is exactly the thing that turns off experienced 3D artists who know better. Blender still has no properly integrated rigid body dynamics system, and the game engine implementation of bullet is absolutely not designed or optimised for production cg/vfx work. Anyone who knows what they’re doing will be severely disappointed to actually try using bullet in blender after reading something like that.

    If you want to show how blender can be useful to users of other applications, be honest about it’s capabilities, about where it might be useful to take advantage of and where it’s not the best tool for the job. Don’t be misleading, you’ll only end up shooting yourself in the foot!

    #
    9
     Jun 30, 2012 at 8:26 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      Hey Matt,

      Thanks for speaking up! I’ve changed the wording here as you’re absolutely right, it does not give a good impression of the current state of Blender’s bullet integration. It was never my intention to overly promote it, particularly to be misleading.

      I’ve edited the outline to better reflect what will actually be in the training. Thanks for speaking up!

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      #
      9.1
       Jun 30, 2012 at 8:46 pm
      • Matt
        Posts: 3

        Sorry if that response sounded a bit harsh, it touches a nerve. It’s so incredibly counterproductive to their aims when people online hype blender up. It often ends in disappointment and an annoyed feeling of ‘wow, that really wasted my time’ when people find out the reality.

        Having worked with a lot of people who are experts in various 3D apps, but without experience in blender, one thing is clear: that misinformation is rampant. There is a very small minority of people that think it can’t possibly be useful, and there are plenty of people who love the idea of an open source package, who have been heard all the hype but never tried it. These are the ones that ask me things like:

        “So where can I find the docs for Blender’s shading language?”
        “So Blender’s node-based, right? It should be pretty similar to Houdini then?”

        I think this is the result of years of over the top exuberance and salesmanship from people online who may not understand the needs of production artists. I believe blender does have some things to offer cg artists, and it can be useful for people in some situations, but the most helpful way to communicate this is with frank and honest appraisals of what it can do, what it can’t, where it might be useful, and where it’s probably better to look elsewhere.

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        9.1.1
         Jun 30, 2012 at 9:44 pm
  10. Oscar Moreno Fosado
    Posts: 11

    this is awesome.. i have tons of friends waiting for something like this!! specially animators.. this will be a great gift for them.. keep it up jonathan.. it´s really inspiring to be a cgcookie citizen and see all you have to show us!!

    #
    10
     Jul 1, 2012 at 1:53 am
    • Jeff Bessette
      Posts: 256

      I’d recommend to them the Blender: Animation Fundamentals in the Cgcookie.com store. I’m almost done re-watching it a second time through and I think I’m getting more out of it this time around! Can’t wait till Beorn Leonard does another DVD/tutorials for the site.

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      10.1
       Jul 1, 2012 at 2:51 am
  11. the smile in the frown
    Posts: 56

    Yay!
    Haha, now I know what I want for my birthday! XD

    #
    11
     Jul 2, 2012 at 12:42 pm
  12. Barry McCarthy
    Posts: 2

    Just pre-ordered my copy :-) .

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    12
     Jul 2, 2012 at 1:12 pm
  13. eman liam
    Posts: 1

    any chances of downloadable version?

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    13
     Jul 2, 2012 at 3:33 pm
  14. Chris Himmelsbach
    Posts: 12

    Looks awesome! Same here, B-day coming up :)

    How does “Blender: Inside Out” compare to “Introduction to Blender”? I understand they address separate target audiences but I’m interested how the content depth of the two courses compare.

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    14
     Jul 3, 2012 at 6:19 am
  15. Alex
    Posts: 3

    Sounds cool! What kind of DVDs are these? Standard DVD 720×480 format? I would prefer it to be in HD so I can read the labels on the menus and everything. Can it be downloaded instead of ordered on DVD (ie. secure link with 7 days time to DL after purchase)? A final question, for which distribution of Blender is this tutorial made? I tried some but they were for the 2.5 version and 2.6 really changed things up..

    Regards

    #
    15
     Jul 4, 2012 at 9:56 am
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      Hi Alex,

      The DVD is a data disc and so will not be playable in set-top DVD players but instead can be loaded into your computer and viewed from there. The plan is to present all the videos in both 1080P and 720P standard resolutions. Also everything is being recorded for the Blender 2.64 beta so that it will be as up to date as possible upon release.

      A download option may be available in the future but not initially at launch. I am going to try and work something out with the Blender Foundation to facilitate this.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      #
      15.1
       Jul 4, 2012 at 10:48 am
      • Alex
        Posts: 3

        Thanks for the fast reply! I just placed my preorder.

        Regards

        #
        15.1.1
         Jul 4, 2012 at 11:20 am
      • Alex
        Posts: 3

        Thanks for the fast reply! I just placed my preorder. By the way, is an up to date keymap included by any chance? I have heard that blender is VERY much into hotkeys..

        Regards

        #
        15.1.2
         Jul 4, 2012 at 11:21 am
      • Jonathan Williamson
        Posts: 2965

        Wonderful! Thanks Alex! An actual keymap is not included but with every tool I cover I also introduce the hotkeys for that tool.

        #
         Jul 4, 2012 at 11:44 am
  16. Brian
    Posts: 3

    Since all Blender Foundation training are licensed in a way that they are legal to share, when can we expect a download? I am poor.

    #
    16
     Jul 4, 2012 at 9:09 pm
  17. zero
    Posts: 16

    Jonathan,

    I’m trying to join Blender as a quarterly citizen but keep failing the math question. i.e. 4+2. I answer =6 which is rebuffed as incorrect. I’m obviously missing something here but I don’t know what. Can you help me please?

    ignorantly yours,

    David

    #
    17
     Jul 15, 2012 at 12:41 pm
  18. Ian Lilkendey
    Posts: 4

    Just pre-ordered can’t wait! Thanks for all your hard work Jonathan. :)

    #
    18
     Jul 19, 2012 at 1:11 pm
  19. sameer
    Posts: 1

    Hi jonathan,
    I wish you could put up a downloadable version as postage and shipping ends up doubling the cost at times ! would love to buy it the moment it is a downloadable .
    best of luck
    sameer

    #
    19
     Jul 23, 2012 at 1:39 am
    • chip
      Posts: 1

      +1 for downloadable version! I never buy the Blender training because it’s always a physical copy only. :(

      #
      19.1
       Jul 23, 2012 at 2:47 pm
      • Bassem Khaled
        Posts: 3

        me too if only it were downloadable :S

        #
        19.1.1
         Aug 4, 2012 at 10:13 am
    • cseder
      Posts: 7

      I would purchase it if it was a downloadable product. I don’t like paying for transport that ends up hurting the environment…

      #
      19.2
       Sep 25, 2012 at 5:11 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      You’re in luck! The Blender Foundation has just added Download versions of all series: http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/default_dvds.php

      #
      19.3
       Feb 1, 2013 at 12:15 pm
  20. greg
    Posts: 115

    I watched several chapters of the DVD last night, I learned a couple of tips myself.
    This is an excellent overview/reference for Blender, did camera tracking get left out, unless I missed that bit, and the new masking improvements for the tracker/compositor also? But I must say , it is really good!
    I am finding it is a really useful reference , for say “uv unwrapping” or “sculpting”, or “how to set custom hotkeys” etc, etc, etc.
    Great job Jonathan!

    #
    20
     Aug 16, 2012 at 12:34 am
  21. Cal McGaugh
    Posts: 10

    Hey Jonathan,

    I’ll get this set next payday. =)

    Thanks for all the excellent free tutorials….you’re a natural teacher. You remind me of Kyle Green at Digital
    Tutors…that’s a compliment. =)

    It’s guys like you that have made learning Blender fun.
    A few years ago, I swore I’d never do Blender after banging my head on the old gui (pre-2.5+)…but now am enjoying
    learning & using Blender.

    Keep up the good work.
    Cal =)

    #
    21
     Sep 7, 2012 at 2:45 am
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      Hi Carl,

      I don’t know what to say, that’s very humbling. Thank you!

      Please let me know how you like the Inside Out DVD when you get it.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      #
      21.1
       Sep 7, 2012 at 9:50 am
      • Cal McGaugh
        Posts: 10

        Hi Jonathan,
        just wondering, why not offer it as a download instead of dvd? You’d keep more profit, and if you wanted, could reduce it by the cost of shipping & handling.

        Also, we’d get it right away, which would prevent gnashing
        of teeth and rending of clothes for those of us who want it now. =]

        #
        21.1.1
         Sep 8, 2012 at 11:50 am
  22. iamcreasy
    Posts: 5

    When the dvd will be out?

    Thank you!

    #
    22
     Dec 20, 2012 at 11:41 pm
  23. Jose Echenique
    Posts: 1

    I will like to now if when is posible to buyed in the Blender Cokie page.

    #
    23
     Jan 24, 2013 at 12:37 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2965

      Hi Jose,

      This series won’t be available directly on Blender Cookie as I produced it for the Blender Foundation. You can purchase it from them here: http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/default_dvds.php

      #
      23.1
       Jan 24, 2013 at 1:12 pm
      • bibliafelipe
        Posts: 3

        But is not posible buyed in downloaded version, in Blender Cokie or in the Blender Fundation Page?

        #
        23.1.1
         Jan 26, 2013 at 7:51 pm
    • bibliafelipe
      Posts: 3

      But is not posible buyed in downloaded version, in Blender Cokie or in the Blender Fundation Page?

      #
      23.2
       Jan 26, 2013 at 7:52 pm
  24. Abidal Sarraj
    Posts: 35

    Today I got mine, Thanks Jonathan can’t wait to start watching..

    #
    24
     Mar 8, 2013 at 10:08 am

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