The Renderfarm

Dave

12:13 AM

hello any one here

iKlsR

@CharlesL

Chimaera

Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes, known informally as ghost sharks, ratfish (not to be confused with the rattails), spookfish (not to be confused with the true spookfish of the family Opisthoproctidae), or rabbitfishes (not to be confused with the true rabbitfishes of the family Siganidae). They may be the "oldest and most enigmatic groups of fishes alive today". At one time a "diverse and abundant" group (based on the fossil record), their closest living relatives are sharks, though in evolutionary terms they branched off from sharks nearly 400 million years...

Hello @Dave

Dave

i need some help if you have time

iKlsR

@CharlesL Chimaedra

@Dave read the room info at the upper right.

Dave

ah i see this room aint used like SO chat rooms then

my Q is v.specific to my project which usually gets my Qs locked on SO

iKlsR

Feel free to ask but we can't guarantee that you will be answered. It's better to use the site, more people etc.

Dave

12:18 AM

ok ill sum it: object textured - i then duplicated it so i have two, i then change the texture of the new duplicated object, but it affects both object's rather than just the new one.

it seems like duplicating them - they are still linked some how ?

iKlsR

@Dave look in your material settings, you should see a 2 or a number beside it, click it

Dave

ah they were linked by material

i understand now :P

thanks

iKlsR

@Dave np

Dave

would you like to see my render ?

iKlsR

use the Showcase room

Blender Showcase

Showcase your artwork.

Dave

12:20 AM

is that the best place for criticism or just to show off the render

iKlsR

@Dave both

@Dave yeah, I feel the same way at times too ;)

CharlesL

12:41 AM

Are you using BI or Cycles?

Dave

Blender render

iKlsR

@CharlesL really. ;)

Dave

because cycles you need to use node editor right?

CharlesL

Yes, but it's much more realistic

iKlsR

@Dave not really

Dave

12:42 AM

i know but i have not learn it i been using blender for 2 days :P

CharlesL

and it's tons easier to light (because it does all the bounce lighting for you)

Nice!

iKlsR

and makes you lazy..

CharlesL

@iKlsR does not

@iKlsR makes your images look better :)

iKlsR

@Dave learn Blender Internal!

Dave

theres alot of techy terminology i have to learn like ray shadows etc :P

CharlesL

12:43 AM

@Dave Learn Cycles!

@Dave, don't worry. It takes time

Dave

we are in the wrong to talk about this aren't we :P

iKlsR

@CharlesL well his pc might not be able to manage it

Dave

wrong room*

iKlsR

@Dave yeah, I will purge it later ;)

Dave

im in the render farm to continue the chat :)

CharlesL

12:44 AM

OK

iKlsR

ok, lemme move the chat there

Dave

once i learn the node editor ill get into cycles

i like the live render feature for cycles

CharlesL

Yeah

Dave

so useful

iKlsR

← 23 messages moved from Blender Showcase

CharlesL

12:44 AM

yep

Blender Render has it in Blender 2.68

iKlsR

@Dave cycles is nice but to get a better understanding of cg, work your way up

Dave

where should i start

iKlsR

learn about lamps etc, proper lighting etc

Dave

im using a clever trick for snow on my mountain atm

CharlesL

Yeah

iKlsR

12:45 AM

@Dave I use textures for snow

Dave

sculpting a duplicated model which is pure white underneath the mountain so snow pokes through

iKlsR

;)

just fake it

CharlesL

That works

iKlsR

that's too much geometry

Dave

well the textures were never the right lighting

CharlesL

12:46 AM

Yeah

You could always use a texture to mix the materials

iKlsR

@Dave it takes practice, just keep at it

Dave

yup

CharlesL

^^

Are you using any tutorials?

Dave

do you use ramp to have two textures blend better?

iKlsR

Here's some snow ice thingy..

Dave

12:47 AM

@CharlesL not really i been pressing things see what happens :P

CharlesL

BI >:(

It would look better in Cycles.

iKlsR

@CharlesL forever !

lulz..

Dave

Cycles is surely only as good as the user :P

iKlsR

true

CharlesL

Do you prefer video tutorials or text tutorials?

iKlsR

12:48 AM

Jun 28 at 20:49, by jesterKing

I use Cycles, but I like Blender

CharlesL

Video's explain things better sometimes, but text is easier to skim.

@Dave, if your interested in a good tutorial series: cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/…

(BlenderCookie is the biggest blender tutorial site)

I make intermediate/advanced tutorials as well: youtube.com/thespastickangaroo

(Shameless self promotion)

iKlsR

@Dave

12

Q: Beginner's Reference

After going through faq and seeing questions What would be wrong with tutorials as long as they describe a reusable workflow? and What questions should be definitely off-topic? Two points are fairly clear: The site isn't a ground for tutorials People are going to come by asking for them To h...

discussion

CharlesL

Well, I g2g

'night

:)

Dave

thanks its mainly making nice texture blends where it goes beyond my ability

iKlsR

@CharlesL laters o/

Dave

12:50 AM

night charles

CharlesL

o/

Dave

something like this preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2012/02/11__12_41_06/… would be great

iKlsR

@Dave just practice! it sounds dull and it will be but that's all there is to it.. ;) Try and try and try again.

Dave

for months i imagine

iKlsR

@Dave yeah but that's the truth to anything

code, writing, singing etc

you have to practice

Dave

12:54 AM

is that image all done from painting the texture?

iKlsR

@Dave hard to say but as I said, a good texture can make or break a model

Dave

well when i paint my texture i use "random"

but i see alot of people pick tiled but that shows patterns and seams which i hate

iKlsR

it depends what you are going for

Dave

in my case landscapes for my game

paying some one is way too expensive :P

iKlsR

@Dave yeah, best to learn on your own

it will pay off in the long run, and since you are the one doing it, you know exactly what you want

Dave

1:03 AM

yeh true

i just want a pretty looking game :P

iKlsR

:)

Dave

2:15 AM

@iKlsR how do you make shadows less in strength

mine are majorly dark

Proog

2:42 AM

3

Q: Is Blender.SE an appropriate place to ask for code review?

Is is OK to post scripts or snippets on Blender.SE for code review? I'm trying to get up to speed on writing code (mostly Python, but perhaps also some C) which I could release to the Blender community. I'd like to find out if I've got any habits that need breaking before I get too used to the...

discussion questions scope

Sintel

3:01 AM

0

Q: Can I use IK solvers in Blender?

I know IK solvers are too heavy for the game engine, but there's no reason I shouldn't be able to use them to render a beautiful scene/walk. I haven't seen many resources for using IK in blender, but I'm thinking it should be possible somehow. Even if it's a home-brew plug-in from some blende...

rendering physics

1

Q: How do I plot points on a monochrome image edge and extrude it an arbitrary number of units?

This could be useful for lots of things. Say I want to make a text block (bad example since the text element exists) or a 3d logo (awesome example). An answer that uses extruding a monochrome image of the ubuntu logo to an arbitrary number of units with a python script taking only the number ...

scripting extrude logo

iKlsR

3:21 AM

@Dave a bit busy atm, maybe this can help

9

A: How to make a model cast shadows onto the world texture/background?

One quick way to achieve this is to select the plane and add a new material, in the material settings under shadow, enable Shadows Only. Next, you can optionally enable transparency, use Z Transparency and use the alpha slider to control the strength/darkness of the shadow. To further enhan...

Dave

@iKlsR ok also is the questions allowed for things like "advice" on improving technique so people can suggest things or post links to where i can learn more on improving my skill ?

Sintel

7:37 AM

0

Q: Python that Connects Bunch Edges based on the Vertex Indices

I am not quite sure how to logically think of this Python problem. I think it should not be difficult. If I have bunch of edges, for example, every edge is simply just made of 3 vertex, index 0,1,2. This edges is probably duplicated using Array Modifier. Plenty of them. Now, I would like Joint...

mesh

Proog

10:34 AM

0

Q: Asking questions concerning people's opinion

Have been trawling the net trying to find decent tutorials for various parts of blender and was wandering if it is acceptable to ask on this site. I know this concerns people's opinoins but was wondering if i put a specific area of blender down i.e node editing, video editing, constraints, if it ...

discussion

zeffii

1:16 PM

Hi @Lindsey

Lindsey

Hello @Zeffii

zeffii

back for more? :)

did you figure out what was causing the weird shadows from your fish?

Lindsey

@Zeffii Mostly what i had was two lamps in my scene one for under water and one to light the scene, both were casting shadows which deformed them thankyou for asking

zeffii

good, i hope that part is at least less mystical than before

Lindsey

@Zeffii HaHa yes it is but now i am stuck again but this time on node editing

zeffii

1:21 PM

takeaway lesson: it is possible to switch of casting shadows for lights

what specifically?

Blender Internal?

being stuck is good btw, it means you are trying new things.

Lindsey

@Zeffii If you mean turning the shadows off from th e light settings (I hope you do anyway) then yes i figured that much out at least regarding internal Vs cycles i haven't even started on cycles yet.

zeffii

yep

Lindsey

Can i pick your brains about node editing

zeffii

certainly

Lindsey

The problem I am having is that I am trying to make a fire work display for my boss and he wants the smoke to fade into a different colour. When I go into node editing, how do I set up nodes so I can insert a key frames so the firework changes colour slowly?

zeffii

1:33 PM

if the node allows you to keyframe a color, press I

if not use an RGB node to send color to that color input of that node

where i moved the mouse into Color and pressed I

from that point it's like any other keyframing

Lindsey

Thank you when i do this will I be able to keep the colour that has gone before as when i have messed around with it (Although not doing what you have just suggested) the previously rendered smoke changed colour as well

zeffii

i've never tried to animate colour with Blender Internal (BI)

@iKlsR probably has definitive answer

i'm more of a cycles guy

Lindsey

1:52 PM

Can you still use the nodes in cycles (I know Noob) and is there any tuts for beginners that you would recommend

zeffii

cycles is all about the nodes, but i can't recommend switching render engines while you are still learning this stuff

i don't think there is smoke rendering included in cycles yet

Lindsey

Is it the nodes that is important or the render engine

I know there is no smoke in cycles as i have already looked

Can i contact iKlsR through renderfarm

zeffii

my lack of smoke/Blender Internal knowledge will disappoint you

yeah just put an at infront of his name and he will be notified

may or may not respond in your time frame

Lindsey

2:08 PM

I don't think your internal knowledge is as bad as mine but thank you.

@iKlsR hello

CharlesL

@zeffi, I got a quick question about running cycles on GPU

@zeffii, I got a quick question about running cycles on GPU

How do I know if it is in fact running on GPU?

I enabled cuda in the settings and set the render device to GPU compute, but it takes the same time that it does to render on CPU

Lindsey

@CharlesL sorry for jumpimg in on your conversation Do you know of any tuts for beginners regarding nodes (taking Zeffii's advice) in internals. :-)

CharlesL

Let me find one quickly

Lindsey

cheers:-)

just out of curiosity having read your profile would sort of tutorials do you make, and do you have a website i can check out:-)

CharlesL

2:27 PM

I make blender feature showcases, timelapses and game art tutorials.

One of my recent tutorials went over all the settings in Freestyle

(the new toon edge render engine in blender)

Lindsey

do you have a website? and could you post the link here if it's not too much trouble

CharlesL

youtube.com/thespastickangaroo

Lindsey

great name

CharlesL

Random word generator :)

Lindsey

yeah yeah:-)

You lose points for only being random words

CharlesL

2:37 PM

lol

Lindsey

Just watching your Dr who (great program) tutorial big bonus points for that

CharlesL

Yeah, I personally think that is the best TV show out there.

Along with Psych.

Lindsey

2:54 PM

Never heard of psych over here but i am loving the big bang theory

Lindsey

3:36 PM

@CharlesL time for me to go home thank you for taking the time to search for a tutorial for me if you find one that is suitable please post here and i will pick it up later cheers:-)

CharlesL

@Lindsey, sorry, posted it in the wrong room:
cgcookie.com/blender/…
^^Part one/two have some material node setups

zeffii

6:12 PM

maybe we can stick this question on hold until the author can be clearer

0

Q: Python that Connects Bunch Edges based on the Vertex Indices

I am not quite sure how to logically think of this Python problem. I think it should not be difficult. If I have bunch of edges, for example, every edge is simply just made of 3 vertex, index 0,1,2. This edges is probably duplicated using Array Modifier. Plenty of them. Now, I would like Joint...

mesh

CharlesL

6:57 PM

@zeffii, agreed

zeffii

i've read it 3 or 4 times and still don't know what he's smoking.

2

CharlesL

Shoelaces

Sintel

8:44 PM

0

Q: How can I check the returned boolean of a function?

I am attempting the check whether a function returns True or False in order to procede to the next step of a separate function. For example, here is a stripped down version of what I have: def target(modifier): if modifier == 'MIRROR': return True elif modifier == 'ARRAY': ...

python

iKlsR

10:36 PM

@CharlesL my last name rhymes with shoelace o.o

CharlesL

Really?

I can't think of any words that rhyme with mine.

iKlsR

Charles Marls

CharlesL

lol

iKlsR

ah

lulz

CharlesL

Yeah

iKlsR

10:43 PM

→ 3 messages moved to /blender/bin

sshh

CharlesL

:P

We're ninja's

iKlsR

lulz

CharlesL

No one will ever know our true names

iKlsR

ninja ^

CharlesL

HAHAHA

iKlsR

10:45 PM

lulz

CharlesL

that one is pretty funny

Another cat one:

iKlsR

lulz, that's fake, you never see ninjas coming

@CharlesL what do make of this..

1

Q: Can I use IK solvers in Blender?

I know IK solvers are too heavy for the game engine, but there's no reason I shouldn't be able to use them to render a beautiful scene/walk. I haven't seen many resources for using IK in blender, but I'm thinking it should be possible somehow. Even if it's a home-brew plug-in from some blende...

Dunno

it makes no sense..

IK is a constraint

10:49 PM

lulz. lulz.

CharlesL

He's using a 3dsmax term

but it still means an IK constraint in blender

It has one upvote and two favorites

I can't even decode what he's asking!

You can tell someone doesn't speak english when they use the word beautiful wrong:

"to render a beautiful scene/walk."

iKlsR

ik solver isn't really unique to max

man.. the people who use this site confuse me

CharlesL

Oh, wait, is he talking about a thing that will basically solve the collisions for all the bones?

iKlsR

i have no idea

and how does that tie into rendering?

CharlesL

"Instead of plotting a static walk and animating it, you determine the effects of a foot impacting the ground on the rest of the skeleton to establish position."

I know really

Just deleted it

Dave

10:56 PM

Hey artists :)

CharlesL

'sup @Dave :)

btw, if your interested, I found a tutorial on creating an island

Dave

yes please

CharlesL

cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/…

Dave

i learnt a bit about displacement yesterday - makes things so much easier for complex geometry

CharlesL

It's Blender Internal (hope your happy @iKlsR)

Yeah

Do you know about normal maps?

Dave

10:58 PM

yeh

aint done much on bakes and bump maps though

CharlesL

Yeah

Baking is a little monster sometimes

Dave

what do you mean blender interal ?

internal*

CharlesL

Blender Render

(not cycles)

Dave

ohh

thats fine - ain't learnt cycles much yet node editor still eludes me a bit

CharlesL

Yeah

it takes a different mindset

iKlsR

11:01 PM

@CharlesL I am!

CharlesL

That's a good tutorial though

Dave

hope the textures of the mountain are good as i wont have trees on mine as my game has seperate sprites for that

aint even started to learn how to make a poly tree yet

CharlesL

By hand?

I just generate my trees. There's an addon for that.

iKlsR

@Dave don't make trees by hand

Dave

:O

theres a plugin ?

built in ?

CharlesL

11:05 PM

yep

in the settings

Dave

called?

CharlesL

Sapling

then go Shift-a>Add Curve>Sapling

And boom, tree

iKlsR

I use tree[d]

frecle.net/?show=treed.about

Dave

ok thanks will try them out

iKlsR

@CharlesL look what I just found of reddit.. .

Dave

11:16 PM

tree[d] isnt for blender isi t ?

iKlsR

@Dave it's for everything, just export to .obj and import that into blender

Dave

but that wont be textured =/

iKlsR

it will

search for tree d on google, you should see a youtube tutorial on using it in blender

Dave

ok thanks

CharlesL

11:32 PM

@iKlsR What?

g2g

bye o/

Dave

11:50 PM

hmm

strange my leaves come out weird

Sintel

0

Q: Invert Fly Mode Mouse Control?

When you use Fly mode, (Shift+F in the 3D view) moving the mouse up flies up, and down flies down. Is it possible to invert this so moving the mouse to the bottom of the screen flies up?

viewport interface

Blender Showcase

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