Blender Class

Blender 3D Animation and Design Class

Overview

Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite. It is one of the great options available for new and independent artists to learn and make 3D art, 2D animation, edit videos, make vfx, build apps and even program games. With a thriving online community of contributors and plentiful tutorials available, the barrier to entry has never been low.

In this class, participants will experientially learn the basics of the Blender animation pipeline that will help them start their endlessly rewarding journey of animation and design.

When and Where

When: Weekly every Sunday from 1pm-3pm. Optionally, stay till 4pm and practice your new learned superpowers.
Where: Noisebridge (Noisebridge has moved to a new location, find out more about the new location here)

Don't panic

You do not need to own a fancy laptop/computer to start. Because of recent breakthroughs, any computer with a decent CPU and latest WIN/MAC/LINUX OS can render high quality images, so join in, and become a creator of your own universe.

What to bring

• Laptop (desktop) with updated OS
• Laptop charger
• Mouse that has a mouse wheel and a mouse wheel button (Preferred. Will increase your workflow speed)
• Hard drive (If laptop has limited memory. P.s. Blender is light at 200mb-500mb depending on your OS)
• Notepad to take down notes (Can be taken on any device)
• Reference photos of things you would want to make (Download PureRef to organize your reference photos)
• Download and install the latest Blender version from https://www.blender.org/ (Optional but will save precious time for the class

Curriculum

Blender curriculum includes but is not limited to:

• Blender animation pipeline
• Modeling
• Shading
• Key framing
• Rendering and Compositing
• Physics simulations
• Sculpting

Due to the complexity of animation software, classes will be conducted thematically, exploring one or all aspects of the curriculum at different levels of expertise for the project.

Cost

This is a free class. Donations are appreciated to help support Noisebridge and the instructor.

Noisebridge is solely supported by individual donations by its users. You can donate through PayPal on our site or in the donation bins at the front of the space. If you use Noisebridge regularly, set up a regular donation. A $10-$40 monthly subscription is a great way to ensure Noisebridge stays around. You can also become a member, which means you can take part in decisions about Noisebridge -- but you don't have to be one to use our space.

Covid Policy

Masks are mandatory indoors for this class. COVID Delta variant is spiking. To avoid another lockdown, it is preferred that visitors maintain social distance, sanitize surfaces before and after use, and are vaccinated. Please contact the instructor on Meetup in advance if special accommodations are needed.

Online streaming support

Online streaming support is currently under works and is not available for the current class. Please check again later for another class.

About the instructor

Ray (he/him/they) is a digital art enthusiast who has been working with a suite of creative software for more than a decade. He is new to the Blender community, with only 2 years of experience, but has a knack for teaching and helping other people learn the new media, especially during a time when it is so accessible.

Helpful resources and links

• Blender Models
  • CGTrader
  • Blenderkit - Free models and textures add-on
• HDRIs
  • Polyhaven
• Shaders/Textures and PBR materials
  • CC0 Textures
• Utility tools
  • Flowframes - Interpolate low frame animations to high frame rates using AI
  • PureRef - Create your art board and references digitally.

Animation and Design community

Join #Animation-Design on the Noisebridge Slack channel to get connected. (Discord and other forums under construction)

Future projects and support needed

• Rendering high quality animations can take a lot of resources that the average person may not have. Setting up a render farm at NB can be an incredibly useful resource to have. Get in contact to discuss on how a render farm can be established at NB.
• Community art events for Blender and other 3D softwares once a month. Need volunteers and organizers.
• Streaming classes from NB on 3D animation and Design.