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Note:Before you can use any Blender plug-in your system must have the appropriate Python runtime. Blender will tell you which version it needs when it starts up.
TomEdwards (talk | contribs) (cleanup; ditched links to crappy old exporters in favour of Dvondrake's) |
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[[ | [[File:b8bac8f276.jpg|border|right|300px|Blender in action.]] | ||
= | [[File:Blender 16.png|(icon)|link=]] '''Blender''' ([http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/ download]) is a free and open source [[:Category:Modeling|3D modeling]] package that be used to create models for Source. Its only limitations are the absence of an exporter for the [[VTA]] files required for [[flex animation]] or a fully-functional [[SMD]] importer. | ||
== SMD exporters == | |||
The only plug-in that can export [[reference mesh|reference]], [[collision mesh|collision]] and [[skeletal animation|animation]] SMDs is Dvondrake's. | |||
<div style="margin:0.4em auto 0.5em;padding:.5em;text-align:center;max-width:40em;background:#AEEF59;border:1px solid #8BC53F;-moz-border-radius:.5em;-webkit-border-radius:.5em;border-radius:.5em;"><strong style="font-size:1.2em;">[http://dvondrake.com/scripts/blendersmd Download Dvondrake's SMD exporter for Blender 248.1 (2.48a) or later]</strong> | |||
<div style="font-size:.9em;">[http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=734991 Support thread @ Facepunch] - [http://www.moddb.com/downloads/dvondrake-smd-blender ModDB download mirror]</div></div> | |||
There is [http://www.3d2toy.com/downloader.php?ID=47 an SMD Importer by 3D2Toy], but it doesn't work too well. | |||
=== Installation === | === Installation === | ||
;Vista | [[File:Blender 4split.jpg|border|right|200px|Blender's interface can be customised to your tastes.]] | ||
:C:\ProgramData\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts | |||
;XP | {{note|Before you can use any Blender plug-in your system ''must'' have the appropriate [http://www.python.org/download/ Python runtime]. Blender will tell you which version it needs when it starts up.}} | ||
:C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts | |||
;Linux | Extract the .py script files of your chosen plug-in to: | ||
:~/.blender/scripts | |||
; Vista | |||
: <code>%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\</code> | |||
: <code>C:\ProgramData\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\</code> | |||
; XP | |||
: <code>%userprofile%\Application Data\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\</code> | |||
: <code>C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\</code> | |||
; Linux | |||
: <code>~/.blender/scripts</code> | |||
Under Windows, whether you install to <code>%userprofile%</code> or <code>Program Files</code>/<code>ProgramData</code> depends on which you chose to use when installing Blender. The active folder will exist and be filled with existing .py files. | |||
== Learning Blender == | |||
Blender has a very unusual interface that takes some getting used to. Matters aren't helped by its preference of hotkeys over of visible buttons. Nevertheless, learning it is quite achievable: | |||
* '''[http://www.blender.org/education-help/ Official help portal]''' | |||
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro Blender 3D: Noob to Pro] (Wikibook) | |||
* [http://www.cdschools.org/54223045235521/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55205 Blender Basics- 3rd Edition] (printable classroom textbook released under [[wikipedia:Creative Commons|Creative Commons]] BY NC SA) | |||
== Blender and Source == | |||
= | * [http://youtube.com/watch?v=9RTTSACe_eI Dvondrake's SMD export video tutorial] covers creating and texturing a simple object | ||
* [[ | * The [[Blender Modelling Walkthrough]] is a complete, step-by-step guide to creating exporting a model with Dvondrake's plug-in. | ||
* | * Blender renders both sides of a polygon, but Source only renders the front. You can bring Blender into line by: | ||
* | *# Making sure the Buttons window is visible. | ||
* | *# Switching to the Editing panel ({{key|F9}}) | ||
* | *# Under Mesh, un-clicking the Double Sided button. | ||
*# If you find you need to flip any polys, either use {{key|Ctrl+n}} to make everything point outward, or select those that need to change and press {{key|w,0}}. | |||
* Because Dvondrake's exporter only exports the currently-selected object, you can have reference and collision meshes in the same scene. Use layers to easily show/hide different elements of the model. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [http://www.blender.org/ Blender | * [http://www.blender.org/ Blender homepage] | ||
[[Category:Modeling]] | |||
[[Category:Blender]] | |||
Revision as of 14:00, 20 September 2009
Blender (download) is a free and open source 3D modeling package that be used to create models for Source. Its only limitations are the absence of an exporter for the VTA files required for flex animation or a fully-functional SMD importer.
SMD exporters
The only plug-in that can export reference, collision and animation SMDs is Dvondrake's.
There is an SMD Importer by 3D2Toy, but it doesn't work too well.
Installation
Note:Before you can use any Blender plug-in your system must have the appropriate Python runtime. Blender will tell you which version it needs when it starts up.Extract the .py script files of your chosen plug-in to:
- Vista
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\C:\ProgramData\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\- XP
%userprofile%\Application Data\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\- Linux
~/.blender/scripts
Under Windows, whether you install to %userprofile% or Program Files/ProgramData depends on which you chose to use when installing Blender. The active folder will exist and be filled with existing .py files.
Learning Blender
Blender has a very unusual interface that takes some getting used to. Matters aren't helped by its preference of hotkeys over of visible buttons. Nevertheless, learning it is quite achievable:
- Official help portal
- Blender 3D: Noob to Pro (Wikibook)
- Blender Basics- 3rd Edition (printable classroom textbook released under Creative Commons BY NC SA)
Blender and Source
- Dvondrake's SMD export video tutorial covers creating and texturing a simple object
- The Blender Modelling Walkthrough is a complete, step-by-step guide to creating exporting a model with Dvondrake's plug-in.
- Blender renders both sides of a polygon, but Source only renders the front. You can bring Blender into line by:
- Making sure the Buttons window is visible.
- Switching to the Editing panel (F9)
- Under Mesh, un-clicking the Double Sided button.
- If you find you need to flip any polys, either use Ctrl+n to make everything point outward, or select those that need to change and press w,0.
- Because Dvondrake's exporter only exports the currently-selected object, you can have reference and collision meshes in the same scene. Use layers to easily show/hide different elements of the model.