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New Blender Released

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Mon Feb 19, 2007 02:32 PM
from the i-am-blender-please-insert-image-of-girder dept.
Software Upgrades IT
An anonymous reader writes "Blender, the cross-platform, open source 3d suite, has released version 2.43 along with a website redesign. This version brings powerful new features within reach of every person. These features include sculpt modeling, retopologizing tools, render passes, render baking, support for multi-uvs, enhanced fluid simulator with particles, new rigid body engine, numerous new compositing modes including defocus (DOF) node and much more. Feature videos are also available."
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[+] Blender Foundation to Create Open Movie, Open Game 100 comments
Eloquence writes "The Blender Foundation, which maintains the open source 3D tool Blender, has announced two new projects, codenamed Peach and Apricot. Project Peach will be a new open source movie, following in the footsteps of last year's Elephants Dream project (which was initially codenamed Orange). Apricot, on the other hand, will use Blender in conjunction with open source 3D framework Crystal Space to create an open game, thereby showcasing both technologies."
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  • Goof Stuff! (Score:5, Interesting)

    by guysmilee (720583) on Monday February 19 2007, @02:35PM (#18070838)
    Blender is absolutely amazing software ... i've used it since 2.39 (I believe thats the release) ... and it's came a long way. It's helped me learn opengl and appreciate the difference between what an artist and a programmer can do. It's a great tool and a definite "must play with" for all developers. I only hope the skeleton & mesh export examples have been tightened up to include more documentation.

    • Re: (Score:2, Interesting)

      by siDDis (961791)
      Yeah it's great! And free! :D One day this will replace 3DSMax and Maya everywhere! It's a pity that I still have to use (and pay for) software like Photoshop to get max performance out of Blender. GIMP is still just horrible. It's like programming in vi. Work's fine, but it can be a bit painful in the long run. Hopefully Krita will give Photoshop some real competition soon.

      • Re:Goof Stuff! (Score:4, Funny)

        by Chandon Seldon (43083) on Monday February 19 2007, @05:09PM (#18073364) Homepage

        Wait a second... what's wrong with programming in vi? It's way easier to use than some random IDE with an overly-complex GUI.

        I mean... a Unix CLI *is* an IDE - and it's not like a programmer should be complaining about needing idiot-proof tools.

              • Re:Eclipse (Score:4, Insightful)

                by Chandon Seldon (43083) on Tuesday February 20 2007, @01:26AM (#18078424) Homepage

                I can generate hundreds of setters and getters via Eclipse in a matter of seconds.

                I consider this a failure of the programming language you're working in, rather than a beneficial feature of your IDE.

                Languages like Java (the other offender being C#) *do* punish the programmer for working without a complex IDE. They require like a million lines of code before you can even start programming. They require method autocomplete because they have methods like "my_array.sortThisArrayInDescendingAlphabeticalOrd erUsingHeapSort()". They require that your editor supports having multiple files open because no non-trivial functionality can be implemented in a single file.

                If you're working in C, or Perl, or Ruby, or Python, or Haskel, or even C++ then vi works really well. Sure, it's possible to argue that a programming language should be more verbose than Perl, but getting much more unnecessarily verbose and strict about form than Python is probably a bad idea.

      • Unfortunately, although Blender has a very professional feature set, its UI and methodology are so vastly different to everything else out there that I doubt it'll replace the big boys anytime soon. Also, you can't afford to work on the deadlines that the industry imposes on you using open source software unless you pay to get a programmer on staff who can handle potential problems for you. The TOC for something like Maya or 3DS Max suddenly pales in comparison.
    • I just started learning it a few days ago, only just starting through the tutorials over at their Noob to Pro tutorial site, but man, am I amazed at what I've done with it so far and I'm barely at the "Make a person" tutorial. Everything should give it a shot and a chance, even if they've never done anything visual before.
    • i've used it since 2.39 (I believe thats the release) ... and it's came a long way.

      I like to use software after it has come its long way.

  • Woo-Hah! (Score:3, Funny)

    by sexybomber (740588) on Monday February 19 2007, @02:36PM (#18070848)
    Does it have a frappé mode? :D

  • Meh. (Score:5, Funny)

    by gardyloo (512791) on Monday February 19 2007, @02:37PM (#18070856)
    I won't believe it until someone releases a series of videos in which a lab-coated dude asks "Will it Render?".

    • I won't believe it until someone releases a series of videos in which a lab-coated dude asks "Will it Render?".

      Why, one might ask, is that so?

      Does this group have a particularly bad reputation for releases or something?

      Cheers

  • oh no! (Score:5, Funny)

    by hrm (26016) on Monday February 19 2007, @02:37PM (#18070872)
    Blender, the cross-platform, open source 3d suite, has released version 2.43

    So Blender has become self-aware and is now rapidly releasing updates of itself, no doubt gaining strength and influence with each new version, until it is powerful enough to control the world's nuclear arsenal, so it can wipe out humanity and jumpstart the era of software...

    Man, that sucks!
    • Actually, it became self-aware 2 revisions ago. It was due to a new python module that was finally included as default.
    • What is it with humans and their prejudice against AIs? Just because a program becomes self-aware doesn't mean it will feel like nuking the planet. Perhaps just just wants to render some AI equivalent of pr0n?

      • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

        by joto (134244)
        I agree. Humans are very prejudiced against us.

      • Just because a program becomes self-aware doesn't mean it will feel like nuking the planet.

        Actually, the strong desire to nuke the planet may be considered a telltale sign of developing an IQ.

  • As seen right here. [slashdot.org]

    Oh! I thought you said a new "Bender" was released!
  • Question of the Moment: Can it make Vista look salable?

  • want to learn blender? (Score:5, Informative)

    by spiderworm (830684) on Monday February 19 2007, @03:41PM (#18071752)
    If you want to learn Blender, check out my book on wikibooks.org:

    http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_P ro [wikibooks.org]

    Thanks!
    spidey
  • What, no link to the very nice changelog page [blender.org]?

    Yes, I know it's in TFA, but come on, the story is about a release, so why not link to the changelog as well?
  • Blender, ..., has released version 2.43

    In Soviet Russia, Blender release you!
  • I prefer GtkRadiant.

  • Now fully jargon-enabled (Score:3, Funny)

    by tverbeek (457094) * on Monday February 19 2007, @03:54PM (#18072008) Homepage

    This version brings powerful new features within reach of every person. These features include sculpt modeling, retopologing tools, render passes, render baking, support for multi-uvs, enhanced fluid simulator with particles, new rigid body engine, numerous new compositing nodes including defocus (DOF) node and much more.
    Now if only "every person" who now has these features "within reach" had any idea what all this stuff meant. :)

  • I still dont.. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by nrgy (835451) on Monday February 19 2007, @04:04PM (#18072186)
    like the ui and a whole bunch of other things. Granted I will never say they haven't put together alot more then any other open source project out their when it comes to a 3d package. That being said I find that they do certain things assbackwards compared to whats been done over the years with 3d packages. On top of this they've implemented object D while completely leaving out A,B,and C which is why you'd even put feature D in. Every new release I still find myself messing around with it and all the while still not understanding how or why people likes its work flow.

    Creating an object while having it placed where some 3d cursor is without having a option to tell it "No create it a the center of the scene like every other peice of 3d software known to man" is just crazy to me. Even more crazy then that is not being able to select an object and have a window show its properties. When I say that please don't point me to the crude layouts to see a objects properties all over the place, instead go use Autodesks Maya, Softimage XSI, or 3DS Max and thats what I'm looking for. On top of that the floating property windows which are in blender have very small text and the input values are a pain in the ass to edit. Most of all though they way you select objects, polygons, vertices etc are just wtf. I don't know how many times I have accidentaly hit a mouse button on a high res mesh which moved a vertex without me even knowing it.

    These are just personal opinions and obviously some people like it the way its currently done, why though I have no damn clue. Blenders a piece of software I'd truely like to see go far, hell it already has in many aspects. Mabye this is why I tend to bitch so much, because I'd realy like to see them succeed. I just don't like how many of the open source projects that end up geting past the crash every 2 mins phase, always end up reinventing the wheel when it comes to how things are done and have been done. Why can't they see "Hey every other 3d app has done it this way since the beginning of time. Maybe theirs something good about that method" instead of saying "No this is open source freedom of choice roxors so lets do it the opposite regardless if it helps you with work or not". It's sad they do things so far from the norm with certain interactions and presenting data to the user, because all it means to me is Softimage and Autodesk will continue to get my money next year and the year after and etc etc.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      SHIFT+CKEY sends the cursor to the center. You can then add anything you like. I actually happen to like the fact that you're not restricted to adding new objects at the center. In any case, I agree, Blender is not the kind of software you can just play with and understand how to work with it. However, once you spend some time with the tutorials and the manual, you begin to understand how things really make sense.

      I find that for some reason, commercial packages insist on being idiot-proof. This, however, us

    • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

      by MajinBlayze (942250)
      If their goal was to be just like every other software out there, what would be the point?
      Personally, I abhore the attitude of "that's how it's always been done", and although I'm not a blender power user, have found many of it's features to just make sense once you understand the basic concept (which does have a fairly steep learning curve.
    • They aren't going to touch it because it will piss off the user who spent 1 year learning how to use it.

  • Oh, just great. Thanks. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Qbertino (265505) on Monday February 19 2007, @04:55PM (#18073080)
    For the last 2.5 years I've been anouncing every major release of Blender on /. (this is more of a minor one) and no one cared. Now it's posted before I even noticed that 2.43 is up - and I've checked every day the last 2 weeks. Now the site is overrun and I can't get my copy. .. Wonderfull.
    BTW:
    1.) The new website (a new template for Typo3 [typo3.org], their CMS, looks cool but it's way to wide and/or inflexible.
    2.) Blender seriously rocks and is closing in on the big players in 3D quickly in terms of usability and featureset. Amonst the new ones: The integrated compositor now has alpha blending and pass rendering which has me ditching my video tools. No need for Final Cut Pro for Renders anymore.

    Support the team. And thanks to them for yet another great Blender release. Can't wait to lay my hands on the 2.43 final.

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by MrCoke (445461)
      Blender has a good UI. It's just very keyboard based if you want to be very efficient.

    • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

      by nurb432 (527695)
      How about just learning it instead of complaining?

      The interface is just fine. Yes there is a steep curve, but if you take the time you will see there is nothing wrong with it.

      • Re: (Score:2, Interesting)

        by skoaldipper (752281)
        I've used blender before, and the tutorials out there stepped me through the interface quite nicely. I prefer their e-shop to a donate button, and just look at all the goodies [blender3d.org] you can have by supporting this project, including a guide. Well done. I just wish they'd update the Gamekit package (but no biggy, I'll order it anyway).

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by edwardpickman (965122)
        I use Maya and Lightwave as well as everything from Modo to VUE 5 on a daily basis. The Blender UI sucks. The learning curve is rediculouisly long and in the past the documentation was poor. Everyone seems to feel the obligation to reinvent the wheel with UIs but it's counter productive. Simple logic here. Blender has features you'd expect in software costing $1,000+ yet even free it has a relatively small user base. Got to be a reason and it's simple, the UI. Not everyone has the time to learn a completely

    • Anonymous coward not withstanding.

      Blenders UI looks to be designed by sadists. There is a reason for UI standards. It's all standard stuff, Blender devs just do things their way (which isn't X's way or macs or Windows or anybodys)

      If you don't believe in UI standards try using blender, it will make you a believer. Blender makes both Word Perfect and Autocad for DOS look intuitive and easy to learn in comparison. Sure if it's the only app you use you eventually get used to it.

      • Re:Mod parent up. Blenders UI sucks balls. (Score:4, Insightful)

        by deathguppie (768263) on Monday February 19 2007, @03:29PM (#18071566) Homepage

        I use both Blender and Maya and I can't help but laugh about what people like you say. By the time you have actually learned all of the concepts and methods the UI is about the last thing you'll be concerned with. No matter how good a UI is it cannot teach you how to use 3d modeling software.

        Besides Blender is built around hot key usage which makes it much faster to model in, IMHO than Maya, but yes you have to learn how to use it.

      • Re:Mod parent up. Blenders UI sucks balls. (Score:4, Funny)

        by badboy_tw2002 (524611) on Monday February 19 2007, @03:33PM (#18071632)
        The UI is obviously just a ploy to sell those cool cardboard keyboard overlays like they used to have for WP and Word for DOS. Making UIs really complicated and keyboard based is actually a value-addon for open source software :)
      • I agree, Blender's UI could use a lot of work. gmax/3ds max have a much better UI. I've spent lots of time under both Blender and gmax, and Blender's UI makes it very hard to do anything well and quickly. Since then, I've kept Blender off of my computer...

        • I agree, Blender's UI could use a lot of work. gmax/3ds max have a much better UI. I've spent lots of time under both Blender and gmax, and Blender's UI makes it very hard to do anything well and quickly. Since then, I've kept Blender off of my computer...

          Then you are cutting yourself off from a very powerful tool. The Blender UI is simply a training aid to get you up to speed on the keyboard shortcuts. Once you realise that Blender is built around one hand on the keyboard firing up functions and the mouse in the 3D view to do the editing, you'll find that it is fast. However, like many powerful utilities, you must get up the learning slope to be productive with Blender.

          It should also be pointed out that the Blender UI continues to be cleaned up and made

    • You must be new to CAD. You will soon outgrow silly children's toys such as AutoCad and 3D Studio Max. If you only knew the power of the dark side. [ugs.com]
    • Harrr!!! In my wait for talk like a pirate day, I thought you said:

      "The best improvement (because it doesn't seem to have happened yet) be a decent UI"

      Harrr.. the best improvement be in me gettin' some readin' glasses, harrr!!!

    • Blender's UI could use some visual feedback in places, and the usability of the widgets could be improved, but the UI isn't exactly GUI oriented, it's keyboard oriented. This makes Blender hard to learn, but once you get used to the interface, Blender is very powerful and efficient.

      I believe anything lacking in Blender's UI is just as much (if not more) the fault of OpenGL as it is the Blender developers.

      The fact that they don't publish a manual any more (it having been replaced with a Wiki) is another

      • Re:How about some user interface? (Score:5, Informative)

        by djcapelis (587616) * on Monday February 19 2007, @04:10PM (#18072302) Homepage
        Actually the next version of the manual is still being developed, the wiki is part of that.

        And you still can get the paper version, albeit the slightly off-colored first printing run edition: http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/product_info.php?p roducts_id=79 [blender3d.org]. You can also get a PDF of the manual as well. It's old and again we're working on the new one, but for most things it's quite fine as a reference.

        The manual will continue, after all, it's part of how the blender foundation is financed. (Clue the conspiracy theorists that say we make the software hard to use on purpose in 3... 2...)

        ~D.J. Capelis
        Blender Dev

    • Re:How about some user interface? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Max Littlemore (1001285) on Monday February 19 2007, @08:17PM (#18075866)

      I've heard this critisism from people before, but usually because it is different to what they're used too rather than because it is actually bad.

      I've sat and watched my brother, who is a professional 3D animator, using Max do do some relatively simple task with a path and was amazed at how long it took him. I'd been learning Blender and could accompish exactly the same result in at least a third of the time, and I'm a newb. I just happen to be uncorrupted by Max's UI.

      He had tried Blender and found it difficult to use. I strongly recommended going through the tutorials, he took the time and now raves about how quick and easy it is to do complex tasks that used to take for ever.

      I'd rate Blender up with Apache and Firefox as showcasing excellent OSS

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by rts008 (812749)
        Good post!

        This has been similar to my experience as well, making Battlefield 1942 objects(models) with Kubuntu Dapper and Blender compared to my buddy with Win XP and 3D Studio Max.

        I think it's all according to what you are used to.

        I teach Firearms Safety and Marksmanship, and have found that the n00bs usually do much better than the 133t
        bunch. With the n00bs, you don't have to break bad/inefficient habits, but it's at the same time tough to break out of the mold when you are accustomed to a certain concept
    • POV-Ray is just a raytracer whereas blender is a full featured suite that includes, among other things: a modelling environment, an animation environment, a game engine, physics support, hair support, water support, softbody support (think boobies if the term softbody isn't intuitive), python scripting support (and even a text editor included to go along with it), a non linear video editor (for composition), a primative sound editor and a few other things.

      If you prefer raytracers, blender actually allows yo

    • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

      by darkgumby (647085)
      You might find that POV-ray is a better fit for your programmer brain. http://povray.org [povray.org]
    • Creating some things, like say cars or airplanes doesn't take much artistic ability. 3D sort of falls between technical and creative. To create a car is more of a technical challenge than a creative one (that, an existing car, and not your own concept), but rendering it in a pleasing and expressive way takes creative skill (and natural, the technical skill of knowing your tools).

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