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That's a cool project and a nice write up. I remember as a 13 yr old being fascinated by 3D software. I think I just wanted to create something photo-realistic
by osrec 8y ago
That's a cool project and a nice write up. I remember as a 13 yr old being fascinated by 3D software. I think I just wanted to create something photo-realistic with a computer. I couldn't afford 3DSMax, so started on the steep learning curve with Blender. About the same time, they integrated Yafray into Blender, resulting in some outstanding renders, similar in quality to commercial packages. I was amazed and started delving into the maths - what a fun and confusing journey it was! Five years later when the maths was finally explained to me at university, I truly appreciated the work that went into things like Blender and Yafray. So kudos to you for your raytracer!
- tylermw 8y agoThanks for the comment! It's pretty incredible what you can do with raytracing nowadays, using only open source software.
- gdubs 8y agoAside: At various points I’d gotten deep/prolific in 3DS Max, Maya, Softimage, Cinema 4D, and Lightwave — but to this day, I cannot grok blender. I never get past using it for a day and feeling like the controls are completely against my brain.
- osrec 8y agoI know what you mean. I think even their reworked UI was problematic (at times even difficult to visually discern what the heck was going on). But eventually it does sort of make sense - kind of the way vi eventually sits well with some but hated by others.
- jrhurst 8y agoThe 2.8 update looks promising. Though I actually don't know if will actually be better
- dannygarcia 8y agoI've felt the same about Blender for years until I found this tutorial series: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgHs8uzT3yqe4iHGfkCmMJ0P https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgHs8uzT3yqe4i... It teaches basic modeling and texturing but in a way where you start picking up on the shortcuts and interface slowly over the course. There's not much that's intuitive about the UI but it finally makes sense to me.
- anchpop 8y agoWhen did you last try? I'm a small-time blender dev and lots of work is being done to improve the usability. Any comments you have would be appreciated
- osrec 8y agoI think the way split screening works is quite confusing. As a frequently returning user, I often forget how to merge a split back and end up having to Google it. Or without realising it, I end up splitting the screen too many times. I wished that part was more intuitive. The fact that it isn't means I am reluctant to use this rather powerful feature.
- pasabagi 8y agoFunny - I was about to hop in and defend Blender, before I read your comment. Splitting the screen is annoyingly fiddly. In general, I actually like Blender's interface. I'd like it more if it was a little more vimlike (all the screen splitting stuff could be under 'Ctrl-W', for instance). My problem with Blender is more about how easy it is to lose data. A reliable autosave would be amazing.
- gdubs 8y agoI tried again a couple of months ago. The only way I can describe it is that I have a muscle memory with 3D software that largely transfers between most packages. With Blender I feel frozen in my tracks.
- MrLeap 8y agoI've used blender for about 14 odd years. I stream it from time to time, if you're interested in seeing how it looks with that much casual time behind it or you want a lesson or two, send me a PM and I'll demo for you. :)
- gdubs 8y agoI’m curious - was it your first 3D software? I’m wondering if it’s a difference of learning from the ground up on it vs coming from other packages.
- MrLeap 8y agoIt actually was not. My first 3d software was milkshape 3d and quark for q2 models and map making, respectively. For money burning reasons I had to use 3dsMax when I was making games for the army. It had been years since I touched it, but a few days and it was fine enough for my purposes. Still wish they'd have let me use blender though.
- CyberDildonics 8y agoIt is amazingly terrible. 3D software competes heavily on interface. Both Softimage and Maya have great interfaces for most things. Houdini is not lacking for interface refinement and well thought out design either. Blender is another story. Its interface is a hazard, I can't even understand why it is SO terrible. Even saving files becomes a rabbit hole of nonsense due to how buttons are positioned and assumptions you make about what would be sane. It almost seems like an elaborate practical joke.
- alkonaut 8y agoI can really recommend Matt Pharr’s “Physically based rendering” if you like to get lost in this kind of thing for a few hours.
- osrec 8y agoThanks, will give that a look when I next find some exploration time :)