This is the first book written on using Blender (an open-source visualization suite widely used in the entertainment and gaming industries) for scientific visualization. It is a practical and interesting introduction to Blender for understanding key parts of 3D rendering that pertain to the sciences via step-by-step guided tutorials. Any time you see an awesome science animation in the news, you will now know how to develop exciting visualizations and animations with your own data. 3D Scientific Visualization with Blender takes you through an understanding of 3D graphics and modeling for different visualization scenarios in the physical sciences. This includes guides and tutorials for: understanding and manipulating the interface; generating 3D models; understanding lighting, animation, and camera control; and scripting data import with the Python API. The agility of Blender and its well organized Python API make it an exciting and unique visualization suite every modern scientific/engineering workbench should include. Blender provides multiple scientific visualizations including: solid models/surfaces/rigid body simulations; data cubes/transparent/translucent rendering; 3D catalogs; N-body simulations; soft body simulations; surface/terrain maps; and phenomenological models. The possibilities for generating visualizations are considerable via this ever growing software package replete with a vast community of users providing support and ideas.

This is the first book written on using Blender (an open-source visualization suite widely used in the entertainment and gaming industries) for scientific visualization. It is a practical and interesting introduction to Blender for understanding key parts of 3D rendering that pertain to the sciences via step-by-step guided tutorials. Any time you see an awesome science animation in the news, you will now know how to develop exciting visualizations and animations with your own data. 3D Scientific Visualization with Blender takes you through an understanding of 3D graphics and modeling for different visualization scenarios in the physical sciences. This includes guides and tutorials for: understanding and manipulating the interface; generating 3D models; understanding lighting, animation, and camera control; and scripting data import with the Python API. The agility of Blender and its well organized Python API make it an exciting and unique visualization suite every modern scientific/engineering workbench should include. Blender provides multiple scientific visualizations including: solid models/surfaces/rigid body simulations; data cubes/transparent/translucent rendering; 3D catalogs; N-body simulations; soft body simulations; surface/terrain maps; and phenomenological models. The possibilities for generating visualizations are considerable via this ever growing software package replete with a vast community of users providing support and ideas.

Learn the essential source code of Blender and its unique build system. This book provides the inner workings of the Blender C-based source code, and will be indispensable for those wanting to contribute to this important open-source project. Blender is an open-source 3D modeling and rendering software package used in the production of assets for animated projects, 3D printing, games, and even scientific visualization. This book goes in depth and discusses the primary modules related to the GUI and the geometric modeling work. You'll start by learning how to reverse engineer geometric operators, and from there move on to the main features of the source code and how to apply them. When done, you'll have the necessary foundation for exploration in other modules of the Blender source code. Lack of software engineering knowledge, such as experience with large cross-platform code base, remains insurmountable for many new developers. While the Blender site includes much useful information, it is not detailed enough. Core Blender Development breaks down the barriers to entry for open-source development in 3-D modeling. What You’ll Learn Find the code for various functions and editors in Blender Track down bugs, and contribute new functionality to the Blender code base Examine the .blend file and how it stores Blender state Understand the Blender core code base beyond the community website documentation Review the explicit code traces and source files of descriptions of the code base Who This Book Is For Primarily for novice to intermediate level developers and programmers with an interest in Blender, graphics, and visualization, who likely don’t have experience of reverse engineering a large code base.

A new world of creative possibilities is opened by Blender, the most popular and powerful open source 3D and animation tool. Blender is not just free software; it is also an important professional tool used in animated shorts, television commercials, and shows, as well as in production for films like Spiderman 2. Lance Flavell's Beginning Blender will give you the skills to start shaping new worlds and virtual characters, and perhaps lead you down a new professional path. Beginning Blender covers the Blender 2.5 release in-depth. The book starts with the creation of simple figures using basic modeling and sculpting. It then teaches you how to bridge from modeling to animation, and from scene setup to texture creation and rendering, lighting, rigging, and ultimately, full animation. You will create and mix your own movie scenes, and you will even learn the basics of games logic and how to deal with games physics. Whether you are new to modeling, animation, and game design, or whether you are simply new to Blender, this book will show you everything you need to know to get your 3D projects underway.

Understand Blender's Python API to allow for precision 3D modeling and add-on development. Follow detailed guidance on how to create precise geometries, complex texture mappings, optimized renderings, and much more. This book is a detailed, user-friendly guide to understanding and using Blender’s Python API for programmers and 3D artists. Blender is a popular open source 3D modeling software used in advertising, animation, data visualization, physics simulation, photorealistic rendering, and more. Programmers can produce extremely complex and precise models that would be impossible to replicate by hand, while artists enjoy numerous new community-built add-ons. The Blender Python API is an unparalleled programmable visualization environment. Using the API is made difficult due to its complex object hierarchy and vast documentation. Understanding the Blender Python API clearly explains the interface. You will become familiar with data structures and low-level concepts in both modeling and rendering with special attention given to optimizing procedurally generated models. In addition, the book: Discusses modules of the API as analogs to human input modes in Blender Reviews low-level and data-level manipulation of 3D objects in Blender Python Details how to deploy and extend projects with external libraries Provides organized utilities of novel and mature API abstractions for general use in add-on development What You’ll Learn Generate 3D data visualizations in Blender to better understand multivariate data and mathematical patterns. Create precision object models in Blender of architectural models, procedurally generated landscapes, atomic models, etc. Develop and distribute a Blender add-on, with special consideration given to careful development practices Pick apart Blender’s 3D viewport and Python source code to learn about API behaviors Develop a practical knowledge of 3D modeling and rendering concepts Have a practical reference to an already powerful and vast API Who This Book Is For Python programmers with an interest in data science, game development, procedural generation, and open-source programming as well as programmers of all types with a need to generate precise 3D models. Also for 3D artists with an interest in programming or with programming experience and Blender artists regardless of programming experience.

Create assets for history-based games. This book covers the fundamental principles required to understand and create architectural visualizations of historical locations using digital tools. You will explore aspects of 3D design visualization and VR integration using industry-preferred software. Some of the most popular video games in recent years have historical settings (Age of Empires, Call of Duty, etc.). Creating these games requires creating historically accurate game assets. You will use Blender to create VR-ready assets by modeling and unwrapping them. And you will use Substance Painter to texture the assets that you create. You will also learn how to use the Quixel Megascans library to acquire and implement physically accurate materials in the scenes. Finally, you will import the assets into Unreal Engine 4 and recreate a VR integrated heritage that can be explored in real time. Using VR technology and game engines, you can digitally recreate historical settings for games. What You Will Learn Create high-quality, optimized models suitable for any 3D game engine Master the techniques of texturing assets using Substance Painter and Quixel Megascans Keep assets historically accurate Integrate assets with the game engine Create visualizations with Unreal Engine 4 Who Is This Book For Game developers with some experience who are eager to get into VR-based games

"Game development with Blender shows students how to create video games using Blender, a free, open source 3d animation package. Focusing on the Blender Game Engine, the book provides coverage of all the game engine features and includes insights and tips taken from actual game creation experience so readers learn how and when to use each one. Featuring an easy-to-use layout, the Blender Game Engine allows even beginners to create simple 3d games that include animation, lighting, sound and more." -- Back cover.