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Character Development in Blender 2.5 [Paperback]

Jonathan Williamson
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 17, 2011 1435456254 978-1435456259 1
Written for everyone from beginning Blender artists to experienced animators and game developers, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN BLENDER 2.5 shows readers how to model believable characters using Blender, a free, open source 3d animation package. Covering the technical, artistic, and theoretical aspects of character development, the book provides an in-depth look at Blender's modeling tools and includes information on modeling, sculpting, materials, lighting, rendering, and more. Written in a tutorial style with step-by-step instructions the book also includes an accompanying CD-Rom that features the Blender 2.5 software and sample art.

About the Book

Character Development in Blender 2.5 provides instruction both to Blender and to character modeling, explaining the various Blender tools and how to use them to create amazing, believable 3D characters. Providing both the how and why behind each new tool or skill presented, the book is written in a step-by-step format so you can easily follow along. Divided into five parts, the book covers box modeling, poly-by-poly modeling, sculpting, retopologizing, normal mapping, and more. You'll begin by learning the raw basics of Blender, giving you an understanding of how the Blender interface works, how you can manipulate objects in 3D space, and how to customize your Blender experience. You'll then get an introduction to some of the modeling features of Blender and how you can manipulate meshes with Bender's various modeling tools, modifiers, and sculpting functionality. In Part Three, you'll move on to the real focus of the book: modeling the character, focusing on the workflow, and various modeling techniques. Part Four provides a brief introduction to lighting and rendering characters, before the final section of the book walks you through the process needed to prepare the character for complete texturing, and shows how to bake and apply normal maps to a low-resolution version of the character. Character Development in Blender 2.5 shows you everything you need to get started as a character modeler and Blender artist.

  • Covers the latest Blender release, version 2.5.

  • Suitable for animators, game developers, and filmmakers interested in creating characters.

  • The accompanying CD-ROM features the Blender 2.5 software, sample art, and complete video tutorials.

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Editorial Reviews

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Review

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN BLENDER 2.5 gives an introduction to both Blender and character modeling, explaining the various Blender tools and how to use them to create amazing, believable 3D characters. Providing both the how and why behind each new tool or skill presented, the book is written in a step-by-step format so you can easily follow along.

PART I: MAKING YOUR WAY AROUND BLENDER 2.5. 1. The Interface and Navigation. 2. Objects. 3. Customizing Blender. PART II: GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH MESHES. 4. Mesh Objects. 5. Modifiers. 6. Sculpting. PART III: MODELING THE CHARACTER. 7. Blocking Out the Form with Box Modeling. 8. Refining the Mesh with Poly-by-poly Modeling. PART IV: UV MAPPING THE CHARACTER. 9. UV Maps. PART V: ADDING COLOR WITH MATERIALS AND TEXTURES. 10. MATERIALS. 11. Textures. PART VI: LIGHTING AND RENDERING THE CHARACTER. 12. Lighting. 13. Rendering.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Cengage Learning PTR; 1 edition (June 17, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1435456254
  • ISBN-13: 978-1435456259
  • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jonathan Williamson is a Blender Foundation Certified Instructor who has a passion for creating and teaching. Jonathan is a professional 3D Animation artist and teacher, working in Blender. As an active participant in the Blender community, he is continuously working to provide resources to the community. Jonathan co-founded http://blendercookie.com and has authored over 200 freely-available tutorials and has produced several complete training DVDs and series.

Customer Reviews

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn character modeling. jdorkman301  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Well organized, good step by step instruction. Sigrid A Richards  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for 3D artists July 5, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is an invaluable resource. As a long time 3d artist, I have picked up little tricks here and there that really bring pieces together well. Jonathan manages to cover these little tricks and more, assisting even the beginner 3D artist in creating a piece of art that feels well polished. A great book and a great read. Also, their website (blendercookie.com) is another amazing resource. Check it out.

The only con I have is the pictures in the book are kind of dark, but the included dvd remedies that nicely.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Expectations met and exceeded July 19, 2011
By Ryan
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered the book back on July 2nd, with a target ETA of early August. The book turned up yesterday (July 18), at least 2 weeks earlier than expected.

That being said, the content of the book is exactly what I paid for; after spending countless hours trolling the Internet for character modelling tutorials over many months, I had been waiting patiently since reading the publication date for this book. It guides you through the interface of Blender 2.5 (as there was an overhaul since 2.49b), then gives you the context to use just about any model sheet or blueprint in Blender and turn it into something resembling a work of art (ultimately, you can decide if you require low-poly or high-poly models for your project).

5*, worth every cent, and would highly recommend this book to anyone else wanting to delve into character modelling with Blender. For me, this has become my character modelling bible.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars needs new name March 22, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My main issue with this book is that the only character covered doesn't have eyes or ears at all. For a beginner this book is great, it runs you through the program all functions ect. Then there is a step by step on how to make the character on the cover. I was looking for something on how to develop a character. So its a waste if you know the program, but great if your just starting out.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, exactly what I needed December 27, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book has helped me in my character modeling with Blender considerably. Easy to follow technique for modeling a hi-poly character followed by a low(er)-poly model for animating. It has significantly changed my workflow for the better and I have already been able to put it into practice professionally. Thank you.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Jonathan Williamson does no disappoint! November 25, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
First off, Mr. Williamson has done so much for the blender community. blender-cookie-.-com- (remove the dashes) is a great resource for anything blender, beginner to advanced.
This book does a great job introducing you to blender. Its focus is on character modeling, topology, and surfacing.
No animation is covered here, but that is ok. Jon's formal tone really makes this an easy read.
The only bad thing about this book is the pictures. They are a little dark, but readable. Just a little annoying.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn character modeling.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative October 7, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
With no previous experience, I needed a book that would effectively introduce me to Blender and show me the basics of character design.

This book does just that as well as imprints the knowledge so that it can be easily applied in other projects.

The only major issue I have with this product:
- The sample/tutorial images are way too dark. Making some of the steps very difficult as it is impossible to see.

Overall it is very informative.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book. July 12, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jonathan Williamson has been one of the fore front artists who have taken the initiative of presenting high quality blender training. As I have followed the tutorials made by Jonathan on his website on blendercookie.com, I was interested in buying the book and I was not disappointed. His skills especially as a character modeler are excellent and this book specially deals in modeling a character. This book in itself is a great introduction to character modeling and if you are a blender artist who follows Jonathan's tutorials, it will serve as a great complementary book that will help fill the gaps in understanding modeling if there are any.
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2.0 out of 5 stars Please don't buy it before checking this… May 23, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hey!
Jonathan is a great teacher, he is very descriptive when it comes to Blender tutorials, he tells you what he's doing step by step and I have seen he is kind enough to reply to all those who ask something to him. Doesn't matter what level of the software they have. Unluckily, this all happens in all his tutorials recorded for Blender Cokie.com. In this book, pictures are so damn dark and scarce that you can barely see and follow in detail what he's doing. Let me tell you something I bought this book because I wanted a good example that included a variety of things accomplished with the software. Not only figure modeling, but also weapons, clothing and everything that could give an overall knowledge of this tool, however, I had to drop it because the poor quality of images and the lack of clarity during the process of the modeling. The saddest part of this is that this same exercise can be found in Blender Cookie. com. where citizenship for there months is cheaper than this book.
This book offers some video tutorials also. When I saw that I felt relieved until I check them. The videos posted there show you how to create a human figure and how to use the sculpting mode. (uh?) What I wanted is the complete video of the book exercise… was it too much to ask?? I felt ripped off.
Believe me I would have liked someone told me this before getting this book. If you're like me, trying to learn Blender on your own, check the website I referred to. Tons of recorded exercises and each one explained clearly. This book is not a good choice, especially if you're starting on this complicated path of Blender.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Well done
Well organized, good step by step instruction.

A pity it does not have rigging and animation chapters, but the ones it does have on modeling, sculpting, and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sigrid A Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction, and guide
I was immensely sayiafied with this book. I received it a month or two ago and only just started to use it to it's potential. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars Must purchase if your getting started in Blender
I would highly recommend this to anyone who is getting into Blender
and wants not only a great book, it also comes with a DVD with the
Tutorial videos on box modeling and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Michael Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Learning Resource
Jonathan is an experienced Blender instructor and it shows in his book. Each chapter is well thought out and organized to provide a considerable amount of information in the best... Read more
Published 20 months ago by dreamsgate
5.0 out of 5 stars pretty dang good
I'm starting from scratch with Blender and I haven't touched 3DS in over 10 years so for the most part this book is rather basic and easy to comprehend. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ailingforale
5.0 out of 5 stars A great Book
This book seems to have a great mix of beginner info and intermediate instruction. The writing was clean and well thought out. I really enjoyed it.
Published 22 months ago by John P Horton
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Blender Book out there
I used blendercookie.com long before and I relly admire the authors work. This book covers so much and doesn't waste your time.
Published 22 months ago by Jan Larmann
3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for beginner
If you are just starting using blender, this book is all you need,
as character modelling is (in my opinion)the most difficult skill to master. Read more
Published 22 months ago by olivier
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After thoughts: what could be done different the second time around?
I would just like to point out to anyone looking in on the discussion here that the included DVD is well worth the 23 dollar price tag, let alone the book. This purchase completely turned around the way I model, and has improved my modelling times dramatically.

P.S. Would it have made the image... Read more
Jul 25, 2011 by R. Gardner |  See all 2 posts
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