Blender 2.48 Released

Spectre-7 · 10-14-2008, 08:40 PM

Good news if you're into 3D graphics: Blender 2.48 has been released and is available for download!

In addition to the usual slew of bug-fixes, the newest version also includes a number of new modeling and rendering features, including:

Real-time GLSL materials -- users of modern video cards can now preview materials and lighting in real-time.
Sun, Sky Simulation -- allowing for more realistic out-door rendering.
Shrinkwrap and Simple Deform modifiers
Colored Shadows
...and more!

Head on over to the download page at Blender.org for the release and more information.

Bone · 10-15-2008, 01:19 AM

There are some great features now! I haven't looked at Blender in years- looks like a real professional package now, with full animation tools and a game engine.

I just watched some of the demos- the shrinkwrap is impressive, as is the soft body physics engine. Thanks for the heads up!

Khrymsyn · 10-15-2008, 06:59 AM

I can't find out where the price for this is...

Is this... free?!

Raen · 10-15-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khrymsyn

I can't find out where the price for this is...

Is this... free?!

Is this... sarcasm?

Bone · 10-15-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khrymsyn

I can't find out where the price for this is...

Is this... free?!

Like beer.

Khrymsyn · 10-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raen

Is this... sarcasm?

No. Not at all. I haven't kept up on "Blender". I've heard the name flung around a few times, but most of my dealings when it comes to 3D stuff have been coporations and schools, so it's all about Maya, Lightwave, XSI, and other more specialized things like Rhino, Pro/E, etc. I know zip, zero, nada about Blender.

So now that I'm completely confused... care to assist or do you have more "make fun of the ill-informed" guy coments to make? =) I seriously couldn't find info on cost or anything, and the download file looked incredibly small. That couldn't be it, could it?

Bone · 10-15-2008, 10:02 AM

That's it, check it and see. Free, and it's looking more professional than ever.

Khrymsyn · 10-15-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone

That's it, check it and see. Free, and it's looking more professional than ever.

Awesome Bone, thanks!

Spectre, thanks for the head's up!

Spectre-7 · 10-15-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone

Like beer.

...and speech.

Spectre-7 · 10-15-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khrymsyn

Awesome Bone, thanks!

Spectre, thanks for the head's up!

No problem at all. I'm always happy to do my part to evangelize free & open source software.

Do beware, though. Blender's UI can cause a bit of culture shock, especially for users already well versed in other 3D packages. A large amount of the interface is hot-key based or just otherwise strange, and random exploration usually leads to people giving up in frustration.

If you're serious about giving it a shot, you're best off at least skimming through the documentation.
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Main_Page

A couple introductory tips:
Right-click selects
Left-click places the 3D cursor
Tab switches between object (placement) and edit (modeling) modes
Space-bar brings up the context menu
G moves, S scales, R rotates
While moving/scaling/rotating, X Y & Z constrain to the chosen axis

...and that should be enough to get you started.

Bone · 10-15-2008, 12:30 PM

You are not kidding. It reminds me of Lightwave. Here's a 3D window and about one thousand widgets that will not make sense to you. Have fun!

... but your quick start commands help a lot. Thanks again. I will check out the docs as well.

10-14-2008, 08:40 PM	#1
Spectre-7 Atomic Danger! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Elsewhere, CA Posts: 5,778 Blog Entries: 5	Blender 2.48 Released Good news if you're into 3D graphics: Blender 2.48 has been released and is available for download! In addition to the usual slew of bug-fixes, the newest version also includes a number of new modeling and rendering features, including: Real-time GLSL materials -- users of modern video cards can now preview materials and lighting in real-time. Sun, Sky Simulation -- allowing for more realistic out-door rendering. Shrinkwrap and Simple Deform modifiers Colored Shadows ...and more! Head on over to the download page at Blender.org for the release and more information. __________________ "If it's bad, I'll hate it. If it's good, then I'll be envious and hate it even more. You don't want the opinion of another writer." Last edited by Spectre-7; 10-15-2008 at 11:35 AM. Reason: Fixing dumb error

10-15-2008, 01:19 AM	#2
Bone Extraordinary Prick Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,255 Blog Entries: 8	There are some great features now! I haven't looked at Blender in years- looks like a real professional package now, with full animation tools and a game engine. I just watched some of the demos- the shrinkwrap is impressive, as is the soft body physics engine. Thanks for the heads up! __________________ I think I want to be you when I grow up, but I'm far more likely to be Bone. - Superman's Dead XBL: xx 8one xx 3DS: 0516-7281-0600 Steam: -Bone-

10-15-2008, 10:02 AM	#7
Bone Extraordinary Prick Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,255 Blog Entries: 8	That's it, check it and see. Free, and it's looking more professional than ever. __________________ I think I want to be you when I grow up, but I'm far more likely to be Bone. - Superman's Dead XBL: xx 8one xx 3DS: 0516-7281-0600 Steam: -Bone-

10-15-2008, 12:30 PM	#11
Bone Extraordinary Prick Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,255 Blog Entries: 8	You are not kidding. It reminds me of Lightwave. Here's a 3D window and about one thousand widgets that will not make sense to you. Have fun! ... but your quick start commands help a lot. Thanks again. I will check out the docs as well. __________________ I think I want to be you when I grow up, but I'm far more likely to be Bone. - Superman's Dead XBL: xx 8one xx 3DS: 0516-7281-0600 Steam: -Bone-

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