In additional to the core teaching materials, we have also created a new Surfacing Techniques Courseware. This courseware is aimed at persons who already have basic proficiency in Rhinoceros but would like to learn more about surfacing techniques for freeform modelling.

Surfacing Techniques Courseware covers 3D modelling and surfacing pertaining to Rhinoceros 3D software. It is applicable to version 4 and 5. The material is written to assist Rhinoceros Users in the creation of 3D surfaces for conceptual exploration as well as downstream applications.

To take full advantage of the information presented in the Rhinoceros Surfacing Techniques Courseware, participants should firstly have a basic understanding of Rhinoceros equivalent to Level 1 proficiency.

For Training Enquiries, kindly contact our Partner at Training@nosco.com.sg

The following is my review of this Blender 3D related book.

Firstly, I will like to state that, with the exception of having created 3D contents (modellings/texture creation) for realtime-based engines for several clients, I have no prior background in actual game creation whatever. As such, my review will be purely from the perspective of a newbie in this area.

Generally, the book is fairly easy to follow. By the end of the first chapter, one should have acquired a fair understanding of how interactivity can be injected into a 3D environment. In this chapter, the Logic editor, which controls game interactivity, is introduced with a short exercise.

At times, the written instructions given in the book is not entirely clear. However, the condition is not insurmountable. This is mainly due to the fact that much of the steps are accompanied by screenshots, making it possible to follow the process in spite of occasional non-clarity in written instruction.

Not much is talked about with regards to 3D content creation for game. This book covers the actual game creation itself with emphasis on injecting interactivity, animating the game characters and game logics. If you are seeking information on 3D modelling/texturing for game creation, you will perhaps have to rely on a different resource. On a positive note, by excluding 3D content creation which is a fairly different area of game creation, the delivery of the teaching content in this book is actually pretty straightforward.

From the standpoint of a beginner, the book covers pretty much what is required to make a very basic game. In this book, you will learn things like:

1. how to create a basic ’start the game’ interface

2. how to make objects interact as if they are physical obstacles.

3. how to create a basic game with different levels of gameplay.

On another positive note, there are also significant information about how the completed game can be published and distributed. The book shows you how you can distribute your game as a standalone distributable. Additionally it also show you how the game can be displayed and play via the internet.

My personal opinion is that a Game Engine (such as Blender’s) need not be just for game creation only. It has the potential for creating other applications as well. For example, it can be used as an interactive instructional platform for explaining and teaching purposes. As such, I view books such as Blender Game Engine – Beginner’s Guide as not just for people who want to create games. Potentially, persons seeking to inject interactivity in various types of application involving 3D environments may find such a book of use.

As of this writing, teaching materials pertaining to the Game Engine for Blender 2.5/2.6 series are scarce. Blender Game Engine – Beginner’s Guide is perhaps one of your best bet for learning this aspect of Blender, the powerful opensource 3D content creation software.

Blender Game Engine – Beginner’s Guide can be purchased from http://www.packtpub.com/blender-game-engine-beginners-guide/book

However, despite these, Yafaray still packs a punch and can deliver good results within reasonable rendering times.

3D Visualisation with Yafaray for Blender is perhaps one of the few e-books about Yafaray that is pertaining to Blender 2.5 and higher.

You can view or download it (as a PDF document) from here:

Note: The Author is creating this documentation initially for his own usage and out of a difficulty in finding documentation pertaining to newer Blender versions. He cannot guarantee that the material is entirely accurate or even current to the latest version. Under no circumstances shall the Author be liable for damages of any kind arising from the use of this documentation.

Blender 3D Basics is a 400 plus page book from Packt. It is written by Gordon C Fisher.

The following is my review of this book.

Essentially,  this book uses Blender 3D as a platform to teach 3D fundamentals and workflow. The earlier portion of the book gave an overview with regards to the history of animation. It also made suggestion about potential applications and benefits of using Blender.

The Book covers essential Blender knowledge via projects and exercises. Each section of the project is broken down as manageable and digestible pieces of exercises.

All fundamentals of 3D are clearly covered including subjects such as:

• Interface usage and customisation
• Modelling
• Lighting
• Rendering
• Basic Animation
• Post effect compositing

Compared to many other Books on the topic, Blender 3D Basics is relatively easy to understand. The author is thorough in the introduction of working principles and explains stuffs well. The style of writing do not take for granted that Readers already knew certain knowledge. With many software-related books, authors tend to skip through steps assuming that readers already knew how to do certain things, which at times can lead to Readers feeling frustrated. But Blender 3D Basics clearly do not make such assumptions and mistakes.

Many of the exercises are accompanied by supporting files that can be downloaded from the designated website. The book also introduces the usage of some add-ons (plugins) to get certain things done.

This book is not a reference guide and will not cover everything about Blender (is it even possible?).

If you already know Blender, this book may not be as useful, although one may discover a new trick or two. However for someone who is new to Blender and 3D in general, this book is an ideal starting platform. With Blender being a software with a potentially high learning curve, Blender 3D Basics does a remarkable job of making the learning as easy as possible. Therefore, this book may prove to be a time-saver for some Readers.

Due to the easy-to-understand style of writing, this book may proved beneficial towards a Newbies’ success in learning  Blender as well as 3D in general.

Blender 3D Basics can be purchased from http://www.packtpub.com/blender-3D-basics-complete-novices-guide/book

I will be writing the review soon. In the meantime, you can get more information about this new Blender-related book via their website at http://www.packtpub.com/blender-3D-basics-complete-novices-guide/book