Blender Tutorial : Camera Rotation Order and Creating a Simple Rig Alien Soup 2018-05-21 | A general, beginner Blender tutorial discussing camera rotation order, and the creation and operation of a simple camera rig that provides an intuitive YXZ rotation order. This rotation order mimics many real world camera mounts, and is similar to the way we view the world from the platform of our bodies : Head/Neck/Hips - Y/X/Z. This makes rotating the camera more intuitive, and interpreting the rotation motion graphs much simpler, since each rotation is represented in a single axis graph. In other rotation orders, a rotation of a single local axis can be represented by a composite of 2 or 3 axis graphs, which makes interpreting a motion graph nearly impossible. Python script for the rig, below.Contents:00:00 - Introduction and general concepts02:36 - Natural Rotation Order simulation04:14 - The Default Blender Camera04:52 - Gotcha!05:43 - Model Camera Platforms / Blender Add-on Rigs07:07 - Build a simple YXZ Camera Rig09:59 - Rotating the Camera Rig13:11 - Baking Camera Animation14:14 - Correcting animation curve gimbal flips15:21 - Loading the Python script Python script for creating a Blender YXZ Camera Rig######## script begin #########import bpybpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='ARROWS', location=(0.0, 0.0, 0.0), rotation=(0.0, 0.0, 0.0))bpy.context.object.rotation_mode = 'YXZ'bpy.context.object.name = "Camera_mover"bpy.ops.object.camera_add(location=(0.0, 0.0, 0.0), rotation=(1.5708, 0.0, 0.0))bpy.context.object.name = "Camera_persp"bpy.ops.object.constraint_add(type='COPY_ROTATION')bpy.context.object.constraints["Copy Rotation"].use_offset = Truebpy.context.object.constraints["Copy Rotation"].target = bpy.data.objects["Camera_mover"]bpy.ops.object.constraint_add(type='COPY_LOCATION')bpy.context.object.constraints["Copy Location"].target = bpy.data.objects["Camera_mover"]bpy.context.object.lock_location[0] = Truebpy.context.object.lock_location[1] = Truebpy.context.object.lock_location[2] = Truebpy.context.object.lock_rotation[0] = Truebpy.context.object.lock_rotation[1] = Truebpy.context.object.lock_rotation[2] = Truebpy.context.object.data.clip_start = 1.5bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='DESELECT')######### script end #########Human Male model available from MakeHuman http://www.makehumancommunity.org Video edited and processed in Blenderblender.org
Blender : Enhanced 3D Cursor Axes Alien Soup 2022-06-13 | Improve the Blender 3d Cursor with this simple axes display. Enhanced user experience with a clearly visible 3d axes that is customizable. Easy to create with a downloadable Python script, and complete instructions how to create the axes from scratch using Drivers. Improve your Blender experience with this simple addition.Python script URLgithub.com/goofygorf/3d_cursor_axesContents:00:00 - Intro00:28 - Axes Features01:10 - Python Script Download Page01:15 - Axes Use Instructions 02:16 - Python Script instructions02:24 - Driver Construction04:21 - Outro
Blender : Animation Sine Modifier Explained Alien Soup 2021-06-04 | The Animation Sine Modifier in the Blender Graph Editor can seem cryptic and awkward, but in this tutorial I explain the details of what the settings mean and the math behind them, to permit you to get exact results. It's easy and interesting. Comments and questions welcome.Addendum : At 3:20 you can use the Python function radians(35) to convert an angle in degrees to radians instead of 35*pi/180. The Python function may be easier to remember.Contents:00:00 - Intro00:16 - Creating the Sine Modifier00:29 - Parameter Basics01:06 - Phase Multiplier 01:47 - Phase Offset02:15 - Amplitude and Value Offset
Blender 2.90+ : Broken Camera Sensor Display Work-around Alien Soup 2021-03-19 | In Blender v2.90 and later, the Camera Sensor Display is non-functional. This video explains a work-around implemented by a Python script. The script is available for download on Github through the URL below. Comments and questions welcome.Python script download:github.com/goofygorf/blender-camera-sensor-frame-fixContents:00:00 - Intro00:12 - Replacement Sensor Features00:51 - Grease Pencil Annotation01:17 - Display Background Image 01:37 - Downloading the Script01:48 - Running the Script
Blender 2.92 : Barber Pole Stripes - Procedural Material - NO MATH Alien Soup 2021-03-06 | Blender 2.92 Create a simple procedural stripe material using a few Material Nodes and no math. A Barber Pole is an iconic and popular object for practicing shader creation. It's easy to model and animate, and gives color and life to city street environments. Comments and questions welcome.A complete Blender file of this tutorial with improved controls is available for download at Gitubgithub.com/goofygorf/barber_pole_texture_animClick the green "Code" button and select "Download ZIP"README instructions in the Text Editor.Contents:00:00 - Intro00:15 - Object and Viewport Settings00:33 - Material Shader Editor01:22 - Color Ramp Node - Stripes 01:54 - Orienting the Stripes02:26 - Animating the Stripes
Cleaning Up - silent student film Montana State University Alien Soup 2020-10-23 | This is my student Junior Class lighting project from 1977. It was produced at Montana State University on 16mm film by myself and my filmmaking partner Jeff West, and classmate Carl Swartz. The goal was to create dramatic mood through lighting, frame composition, and editing. Black and white only, and no sound permitted.The poor image and sound quality is the result of digitizing a VHS video recording of a low-quality, analogue telecine transfer from the original 16mm print - therefore suffering considerable degeneration through 3 generations of different duplication mediums. The left side of the image frame has also been cropped by about 10% for an unknown reason, probably occurring during the telecine to video duplication. Using this copy was my only reasonable option since it wasn't worth the expense of doing a high quality digital scan for an indeterminate YouTube audience. We completed the filming in one night using a spring-driven Bolex H16 Rex-5 with a rotating lens turret. Lighting was achieved with a portable 1000w quartz lighting package. This was a particularly memorable night the week before Thanksgiving, given the temperature outside was -36 deg. F at 3 a.m. when we were loading the equipment into our car. Thanks for watching.
Consider a Career - student film Montana State University Alien Soup 2020-10-22 | This is my student Junior Class film from 1978. It was produced at Montana State University on 16mm film by myself and my filmmaking partner Jeff West, and classmate Meg Campbell. The goal was to utilize picture and sound to communicate a coherent message. We executed all major production tasks from original script to final answer print.The poor image and sound quality is the result of digitizing a VHS video recording of a low-quality, analogue telecine transfer from the original 16mm answer print - therefore suffering considerable degeneration through 3 generations of different duplication mediums. The left side of the image frame has also been cropped by about 10% for an unknown reason, probably occurring during the telecine to video duplication. Using this copy was my only reasonable option since the 42 year old original print has since faded and degenerated into red, and it wasn't worth the expense of doing a high quality digital scan for an indeterminate YouTube audience. The concept took the form of a Public Service Announcement impressing the value of a higher education to achieve greater employment satisfaction. We utilized the various departments within the university to depict the more rewarding possibilities for a full-time vocation, then wandered around town inserting our actor into the more mundane jobs in a guerrilla filmmaking approach. We filmed using a spring-driven Bolex H16 Rex-5 with a rotating lens turret. Lighting was achieved with a portable 1000w quartz lighting package.Thanks for watching.
Childs Play - Student film Montana State University Alien Soup 2020-10-13 | This is my student Bachelor of Science thesis film from 1979. It was produced at Montana State University on 16mm film and was the first project by myself and my filmmaking partner, Jeff West, to utilize actors in speaking roles, synchronous sound recording, and professional equipment and techniques. We executed all major production tasks from original script to final answer print.The poor image and sound quality is the result of digitizing a VHS video recording of a low-quality, analog telecine transfer from the original 16mm answer print - therefore suffering considerable degeneration through 3 generations of different duplication mediums. The left side of the image frame has also been cropped by about 10% for an unknown reason, probably occurring during the telecine to video duplication. Using this copy was my only reasonable option since the 40 year old original print has since faded and degenerated into red, and it wasn't worth the expense of doing a high quality digital scan for an indeterminate YouTube audience. The storyline was in no way an attempt to communicate any personal religious or philosophical viewpoint at the time - it was just a silly idea we developed in a rush to meet our academic deadline. We had already submitted a finished script for a much more ambitious project that we ultimately realized was too demanding for the time, money, and resources available - and for a core production crew of 2 people. This idea sprang from the enthusiasm of the community at that time for the total solar eclipse due to occur over our university town of Bozeman, Montana during the month of February 1979. We figured a commemoration of the event on film would excite other people in the community to lend whatever assistance we might need.The script was written, and preproduction planning occurred during the Winter Quarter in 1979, and actual production occurred over the 3 months of Spring Quarter. I primarily dealt with the visual aspects of the film, while Jeff was primarily interested in the sound - though we continually conferred back and forth on all aspects of the production. The adult actors were recruited from fellow students at the university, and Craig Pohlman, the boy, from a local elementary school. Only 3 of the cast - the Artist, Librarian, and Narrator - were experienced actors borrowed from the university Theater department, although Craig may have had experience in his school drama curriculum.The minimalist nature of the film, exhibited in the lack of set design and costumes, was essential to the completion of the project for lack of time, money, and personnel. We viewed the project as more of an exercise in technical execution rather than artistic expression. Much of the intended script was cut for lack of time, and we pushed the schedule up to the last day of finals week - completing the final sound mix in the early morning before graduation. The final result may appear primitive, but keep in mind, none of today's instant digital technology existed then. We had to wait a week or more to see the result of a day's shooting, not knowing if the exposure or focus was correct. There was no opportunity for reshoots so we had to get it right the first time. The most difficult challenge was the opening and closing titles, which required a lot of planning and meticulous manipulation of images and graphics. These efforts did not succeed on first attempt, yet were reluctantly incorporated into the final print. I corrected these mistakes in this version of the film using today's digital technology.Despite the romance attributed to the techniques of photo-chemical image capture, and the "hands-on" manipulation of celluloid in the editing process, I look back upon this experience with both loving nostalgia, and fearsome trepidation, and presently regard this methodology as an expensive, time-consuming, soul-crushing experience. Yet, I wouldn't trade that experience away for many others.Thanks for watching.David Spencer - 10/2020
Blender 2.82 : Spring Modeling and Animation - Screw Modifier and Driver fix Alien Soup 2020-04-24 | Blender 2.82 Proper method of modeling and animating a spring with the Screw Modifier, and using a Driver. The Screw Modifier is a quick way to model a spring in Blender, but it requires extra attention to create and maintain proper geometry. Stretching a spring model using the Screw parameter creates a distortion in the spring cross-section profile. Achieving a proper result requires constant attention and tedious key-framing when animating the spring. Learn how to fix the model, and how to create a Driver for perfect animated geometry. Comments and questions welcome.Contents:00:00 - Intro : Screw problem00:15 - Fixing Spring Model and Animation00:38 - Modeling a Spring01:00 - Creating a Driver Fix 01:51 - Demonstrating the Fix
Blender 2.82 : Multi-Camera Viewport Display Alien Soup 2020-04-10 | Blender 2.82 View several render cameras simultaneously by specifying a Local Camera in the Viewport View Properties. Blender defaults to displaying a single camera at a time in the 3d viewports - this is the Global camera view chosen in the Scene Properties. Activating the Local camera in the viewport allows you to simultaneously display as many unique camera views as you want.
Blender 2.82 : Barrage of Arrows - Particle Simulation Alien Soup 2020-04-05 | Create a dramatic onslaught of arrows using particle simulation in Blender 2.82. Quickly model a basic arrow, then instance it into a terrifying swarm of death. Learn to control the particle emission sequence for other interesting effects. Comments and questions welcome.Bug Alert : There is a known and documented bug in v2.80+ in which dead particles will not render in Cycles nor Eevee. They will render properly in versions 2.79 and earlier. Since there are plans for a new Node-based Particle System, this will probably not get fixed until that is released. Sorry.Update : 12/9/20 : This dead particle render bug appears to be fixed as of v 2.91.0Contents:00:00 - Introduction00:14 - Modeling an Arrow02:49 - Particle Emitter05:12 - Changing Emission Sequence
Blender 2.8 Elastic Keyframe Interpolation and Sine F-curve Modifier Alien Soup 2020-02-28 | Animate 5 basic types of Elastic and Oscillating motion using keyframe and f-curve modifiers. Also learn to use Simple Deform, Screw, and Hook modifiers, and basic Drivers. Some useful math included. Lots to learn, and have fun along the way. Comments and questions welcome.Contents:00:00 - Introduction00:21 - Bending Rod Vibration02:09 - Spring Compression05:40 - String Vibration 08:08 - Pendulum Swing10:42 - Wobbling Weeble Chess Knight model : zOli at blendswap.comAnimated rocking chair : Sunny Bunnies / Digital Light Studio
Beginner 3d projects using Infini-D in 1995. User interface, models, and animation. Alien Soup 2020-02-11 | I go back in time in this video, and revisit some old computer software I started with to learn 3d graphics - Specular Infini-D from 1995. I saved a couple files that turned out surprisingly well considering the nature of the software, and my lack of experience. Inexperience is sometimes a good thing when starting out, since you don't know what you don't know, so you're not immediately discouraged by the scope of the project or the limitations of the software. The ATAT was actually a good choice for a modeling project, since it is composted of simple shapes that a basic program can create. It also teaches one to think simply and break an object down to its most basic form. The animation was not so simple, particularly due to Infini-D's lack of Inverse-Kinematics. It takes 2-3 times more work and keyframes to animate a walk cycle in forward-kinematics, since one must animate the legs to keep the feet stationary on the ground. There are a few glitches in the animation, I think due to the fact that I originally animated it at 15 fps. The bumps in the leg motion are over-shoots in the motion curves that only appear in slower frame rates. At 30 fps there are more frames to resolve the sudden changes in direction. I did not see these bumps when I first animated it. The skeleton model was only possible with the upgraded new spline and mesh/vertex modeler in Infini-D 3.0, which could create complex organic shapes. I had grand ambitions for the model, with which I wanted to create an animated short film. But that is when the realities of my knowledge and abilities finally came to bear, and I became over-whelmed by the amount of time and work it would require for one person. I had already invested 7 weeks for the model alone. But it was all a great learning experience, which prepared me for future employment.The skeleton model is available for download as an Infini-D v3.5 scene file on Github :github.com/goofygorf/Infini-D-skeleton-modelClick the green "Code" button and select "Download ZIP"
Blender 2.8: Bouncing Ball - Squash & Stretch Rigging and Animation Alien Soup 2019-12-24 | Blender 2.81 Quick and easy animation tutorial on creating a simple squash and stretch rig for a bouncing ball, and basic animation techniques. Utilizes the Graph Editor and Cycle Modifier. Also explains applying a simple procedural texture. Contents:00:00 - Introduction00:11 - Texturing the Ball01:22 - Squash & Stretch Rigging02:23 - Animating the Ball 05:44 - Cycle Modifier
Blender 2.8 : Fluid Simulation using Rigid Body Physics Alien Soup 2019-11-13 | Blender 2.80 tutorial : Quick and Easy Rigid Body Physics that simulates the motion of liquid in a container. This uses a Rigid Body Point Constraint to maintain a level fluid surface as the container moves and rotates. Fast and responsive with low memory overhead, and easy to adjust. Good for stylized (cartoon) animation that does not require ultra-realism.Update:There has been a change to the Rigid Body World since v 2.91 , which affects parenting of rigid bodies and their constraints. At 03:24 in the video DO NOT parent the Boolean Cutter to the glass - leave it un-parented, and instead, create a Child Of constraint on the Boolean Cutter and set its parent object as the glass.
Blender 2.8 : Render Freestyle Wireframes and Composite over Backgrounds Alien Soup 2019-08-29 | Blender 2.80 tutorial: Render object wireframes using the Freestyle option in View Layers. This tutorial quickly demonstrates how to setup and render basic, multi-colored wireframes, and composite them over a background image. Wireframe renders are helpful in evaluating matchmoves, or useful for illustration purposes and artistic enhancement. Correction: 2:00 The Silhouette option is not the proper method for rendering outlines from the viewpoint perspective. 'Contour' renders the outline of individual overlapping objects, while 'External Contour' renders the outline of all overlapping objects combined - similar to a Boolean Union operation.Contents:00:00 - Introduction and use cases00:23 - Freestyle settings02:59 - Wireframe compositing
Blender 2.8: Point markers, Duplication and Snapping Tools Alien Soup 2019-07-10 | Blender 2.80 tutorial: How to make special cone markers useful for matchmove evaluation, tracking, snap-to objects, or animation position markers. Just a few simple steps, plus tips for duplicating, and snapping.Contents:00:00 - Introduction and use cases00:24 - Create a Marker Cone01:20 - Duplicating and Linked Instances 03:58 - Cone Snapping Methods
Blender : Automatic Targeting Rig for Particle Projectiles Alien Soup 2019-05-25 | In this Blender 2.79 tutorial, I demonstrate how to create a physically realistic cannonball animation using Blender’s built-in physics and particle system. I also create an automatic targeting rig using Drivers and Constraints, and add a reactive impact-debris splash simulation. These methods can be applied for any type of free-falling object simulation such as a thrown or kicked ball, or catapult launch. Physics and driver formulas are displayed and explained. Please ask questions about any part of the tutorial that is unclear or difficult to understand. I have plans for upcoming tutorials, so please leave comments or suggestions for anything you think would improve on the content or style of presentation, or requests for other tutorials.Driver Expression Formulas:Particle Velocityd*sqrt(-g/(d*sin(2*a)-2*h*cos(a)**2))Target Distancesqrt((Xe - Xt)**2 + (Ye - Yt)**2)Contents:00:00 - Introduction and tutorial summary00:25 - Cannon and Platform construction03:46 - Cannon and Emitter Constraints 08:22 - Particle Emitter Settings11:53 - Emitter Velocity Drivers22:58 - Ground Collision and Impact Debris
Blender Tutorial : Video Editor - 3D Page Turn Transition Effect Alien Soup 2018-10-31 | Learn how to create a 3 dimensional Page Turn Transition within Blender, for use with the Video Sequence Editor. The effect and controls are similar to what you might find in After Effects or Premiere - with fully adjustable and animatable Page deformation and direction, directional lighting, shadows, and specular highlights. This tutorial provides complete step-by-step instructions for constructing the 3d Page mechanism, setting up lighting, materials, and textures, and application within Blender's Video Sequence Editor.Uses Blender v2.79. Please leave any comments and questions about the tutorial and using the effect. Thanks.Contents:00:00 - Introduction and description00:27 - Camera and Page Setup07:32 - Constructing the Page Deformer13:32 - Materials and Texture Setup19:14 - Lighting and Shadow Effects20:52 - Video Sequence Editor and Lighting Setup25:17 - Creating the Transition 38:22 - Saving for Accessibility
Blender Tutorial : Animating Wheels and Rolling Objects Alien Soup 2018-08-29 | This is a Blender tutorial describing various methods for accurately animating the rotation of rolling objects to prevent slipping relative to the surface of contact. It covers basic key-framing, drivers, path animation, and mathematic principles - as outlined in the contents description below. These concepts are not exclusive to Blender, and can be applied to any animation software, though the specific operations may vary. Please ask questions about any part of the tutorial that is unclear or difficult to understand. I have plans for upcoming tutorials, so please leave comments or suggestions for anything you think would improve on the content or style of presentation, or requests for other tutorials. Thanks for watching.Contents:00:01 - Introduction and general concepts00:38 - Mathematics of Wheel Rotation04:20 - Keyframing Wheel Rotation11:27 - Animating Rotation with Drivers20:23 - Animating Rotation on a Path
Maya MEL Tool Demo: convert 3d world coordinates to 2d image coordinates Alien Soup 2018-04-29 | This video is a demonstration of a Maya utility written in MEL script. It calculates the 2d image coordinates of a selected point in 3d world space. It also writes out 2d tracking data of an object for use in a compositing program. Please comment if you think it is useful, not useful, or if you have suggestions or criticisms on how to improve it. I will answer any questions regarding its use or function. Download scripts at : github.com/goofygorf/3dto2d_convertContents:00:00 - Introduction00:48 - Basic Controls and Operation03:42 - Alternate Cameras05:15 - Render Resolution Settings07:30 - Options Outline08:55 - Image Origin10:45 - Normalized Units11:35 - Output Frame Range12:29 - Selecting Objects13:06 - Write to Script Console13:58 - Write to Text File16:01 - Nuke Import18:05 - Resolution Gate vs. Camera Gate21:10 - Lens Principle Point23:15 - User Instructions Video edited and processed in Blenderblender.org
