Blender 3D Incredible Models

Blender 3D Incredible Models

by Arijan Belec
Released August 2022
Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
ISBN: 9781801817813

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Book description

Learn all about hard-surface modeling in Blender while creating three increasingly complex projects: an assault rifle, a sci-fi racing ship, and an army tank

Key Features

  • Explore Blender’s wide array of 3D modeling tools and features with key images printed in color
  • Learn techniques for texturing, rendering, and rigging
  • Employ these lessons to create increasingly complex hard-surface models

Book Description

Blender is a massively popular and powerful 3D program, with versatile modeling abilities that make it a great way to enter the 3D modelling world.

Blender 3D Incredible Models is an extensive guide for those new to hard-surface modeling with Blender, helping you understand the complete range of tools and features it offers and how to employ those efficiently to create realistic models. You’ll be led through progressively more challenging modeling projects— from an assault rifle and an army tank to a sci-fi spaceship model—giving you a glimpse of all the skills you’d need in Blender’s vast ecosystem of features and functionality, ranging from textures, rendering, and UV mapping to lighting, rigging, and beyond. Each engaging project builds upon the last until you’re equipped with everything you need to tackle your own modeling challenges, whatever they may be.

By the end of this Blender book, you won’t just know how to create the models covered here, but you’ll be able to turn your own concepts and references into 3D Blender models too!

What you will learn

  • Dive into the fundamental theory behind hard-surface modeling
  • Explore Blender's extensive modeling tools and features
  • Use references to produce sophisticated and accurate models
  • Create models with realistic textures and materials
  • Set up lighting and render your scenes with style
  • Master the use of polygons to make game-optimized models
  • Develop impressive animations by exploring the world of rigging
  • Employ texture painting and modifiers to render the tiniest details

Who this book is for

This book is for aspiring 3D artists, animators, architectural visualizers, and game developers looking to learn hard-surface modeling, an essential skill in creative industries. A basic understanding of Blender and its interface, orienting in the 3D Viewport, creating and moving objects, and mesh editing is necessary to get started.

Publisher resources

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Table of contents

  1. Blender 3D Incredible Models
  2. Contributors
  3. About the author
  4. About the reviewer
  5. Preface
    1. Who this book is for
    2. What this book covers
    3. To get the most out of this book
    4. Download the color images
    5. Conventions used
    6. Get in touch
    7. Share Your Thoughts
  6. Part 1: Introduction to Hard Surface Modeling
  7. Chapter 1: Introducing Hard Surface Modeling
    1. Understanding hard-surface modeling
      1. Understanding organic modeling
    2. Defining hard-surface objects in Blender
      1. Edges
      2. Surfaces
      3. Edge loops
      4. Loose parts
    3. Creating a simple hard-surface modeling workflow
    4. Reviewing the projects
    5. Summary
  8. Part 2: Modeling an Assault Rifle
  9. Chapter 2: Creating Basic Shapes for an FN SCAR
    1. Technical requirements
    2. Preparing references
      1. Separating the parts
    3. Modeling the lower receiver
      1. Loop cutting
      2. Shading the viewport
    4. Modeling the upper receiver
    5. Creating the stock
    6. Adding a handgrip shape
    7. Creating attachment rails
    8. Shaping the barrel
    9. Mirroring an object with a Mirror modifier
    10. Adding a simple magazine
    11. Summary
  10. Chapter 3: Adding More Details with Polygon Modeling and Modifiers
    1. Technical requirements
    2. Introducing the 3D Cursor
    3. Modeling the handgrip
    4. Detailing the receiver
      1. Simplifying detail creation
      2. Modeling screws
    5. Completing the rails with the Array modifier
    6. Finishing the stock
    7. Modeling iron sights and detailing the barrel
    8. Summary
  11. Chapter 4: Texturing and Rendering the FN SCAR
    1. Creating materials
      1. Understanding Material Nodes
      2. Combining nodes
      3. Adding multiple materials
    2. Generating an Edge Mask
      1. Detecting edges
      2. Baking an edge map
    3. Creating edge wear
      1. Separating materials
      2. Copying nodes to other materials
    4. Lighting and rendering
      1. Lighting the scene
      2. Rendering the scene
    5. Summary
  12. Part 3: Modeling a Sci-Fi Race Ship
  13. Chapter 5: Modeling a Sci-Fi Race Ship
    1. Modeling basic shapes
    2. Adding details
    3. Modeling armor panels
    4. Adding more parts
      1. Creating smaller details
    5. Finishing the model
      1. Applying a MatCap
    6. Summary
  14. Chapter 6: Texture Painting the Sci-Fi Race Ship
    1. Baking a normal map
    2. UV unwrapping
    3. Baking a bevel map
    4. Texture painting the armor panels
    5. Painting decals
    6. Painting normal decals
      1. Baking a normal decal
      2. Painting the decal
    7. Summary
  15. Part 4: Modeling a T-72 Tank
  16. Chapter 7: Modeling the T-72 Tank: Basic Shapes
    1. Modeling a hull
    2. Creating a skirt
    3. Adding a simple turret
    4. Adding wheels
    5. Summary
  17. Chapter 8: Modeling the T-72 Tank Hull
    1. Completing the front end
      1. Detailing the lower plate
    2. Modeling the side armor
    3. Completing the hull front
    4. Modeling the skirt
      1. Adding an exhaust pipe
    5. Creating exhaust grills with arrays
    6. Finishing the rear end of the hull
    7. Summary
  18. Chapter 9: Modeling the T-72 Tank Turret
    1. Modeling the commander’s hatch
    2. Creating more turret details
    3. Finishing the gun
    4. Summary
  19. Chapter 10: Modeling Tank Tracks
    1. Creating the suspension and wheels
    2. Modeling the wheels
      1. Modeling the rear sprocket
      2. Modeling the front sprocket
    3. Creating the tracks
    4. Finishing the tracks
    5. Summary
  20. Chapter 11: Rigging Tank Tracks
    1. Adjusting the tracks
    2. Rigging with constraints
    3. Rigging the wheels and sprockets
    4. Parenting the tracks
    5. Summary
  21. Chapter 12: Texturing the Tank
    1. Texturing the turret
    2. Combining nodes
    3. Texturing the tracks
    4. Summary
    5. Why subscribe?
  22. Other Books You May Enjoy
    1. Packt is searching for authors like you
    2. Share Your Thoughts

Product information

  • Title: Blender 3D Incredible Models
  • Author(s): Arijan Belec
  • Release date: August 2022
  • Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781801817813