= Blender Knowledge Base =
back to [wiki:BlenderTutorials]
== Handouts ==
 * [http://svn.orxonox.net/webdev/pps/ws0607/l02/workshop1/blender_modeling_hotkeys.pdf Modeling Hotkeys]
 * [http://svn.orxonox.net/webdev/pps/ws0607/l03/workshop2/blender_texturing_tutorial.pdf Texturing Tutorial]
== Blender Tips ==
 * Use reference images or sketches (Front, Top, Side) as background images. ("View" -> "Backgroud Image...")
 * Use symmetries - mirror your mesh
 * Add details very conservative (observe the total number of faces)
 * Don't smooth edges with acute angles - subdivide if you want it more round
 * Merge useless points at the end
 * Mesh -> Scripts -> Clean Meshes 
 * Mesh -> Scripts -> Poly Reducer
 * Optimize your edge directions (needs illustration)

== Check your mesh for... ==
 * Holes
 * Inverted face normals
 * Doubled edges and faces
 * Faces and pionts inside your mesh
 * Overlapping faces in your mesh

== Blender FAQ ==
=== 1. How can I manipulate numeric? ===
Activate your modificator (e.g. E for extrude) then just input a numeric value. ENTER finalizes, ESC exits.

Alternative: Press N in edit mode to activate the "Transform Properties" menu and then apply your modification (e.g. E for extrude).

=== 2. How can I set back or bottom view? ===
Holding the mouse over your 3D Viewport and pressing the NUM7, NUM1, and NUM3 buttons will bring you back to perfectly aligned top, front, and side views respectively. Pressing CTRL+NUM7, CTRL+NUM1, and CTRL+NUM3 will result in displaying the bottom, back, and other side views, respectively.

=== 3. How can I manipulate my pivot of my mesh? ===
Put the 3D cursor where you want the pivot (origin) to be. Then press F9. Then press "Centre cursor" button in the mesh panel (in the menu).

=== 4. How can I render my 3d view (instead of the camera)? ===
 * Switch to Object mode
 * Open Render Preview ("View" -> "Render Preview") or (Shift+P)
 * move/resize the window to you likings,
 * right-click the window
 * enjoy

=== 5. How can I change the grid distance for the "Snap-to-Grid" function? ===
?

=== 6. Help! 50% of my normals are inverted, it'll take forever to find and change them all!!! ===

 * Select all faces,
 * 'Mesh' -> 'Normals' -> 'Recalculate Outside'
 * Also works with 'Ctrl n'
 * Relax

Btw. If you don't know wether your normals are inverted,
 * Edit Mode -> 'F9'
 * Under 'Mesh Tools 1', click on 'Draw Normals'
 * Those blue lines pointing into your model are bad!
 * Those blue lines pointing out of your model are good!
 * 'w'-> 'Flip Normals' lets you change them all individually.
 * If you don't feel like it, see above.