I've been trying out Blender and my happy excitement was soon supplanted by frustration. It would take me 6 years to figure out this program; (if I was 16 again, maybe I'd have the patience)... it's so sad how a bad interface can ruin a super excellent program. I mean, if you got a great new car, and it took you years to re-learn how to drive it, wouldn't you be a bit frustrated?

"An Example is worth Ten Thousand Words"

Yes, the interface can be frustrating and confusing to a lot of people (we get a lot of that around here ;)), but the usability features have been steadily improving in the 2.* releases (Yeah, it used to be worse...), so complaints from users about poor usability really are being taken seriously--no one wants to drive away new users because they can't figure out the program. If you have any specific complaints or suggestions about how something works, check out the official development areas and make suggestions. Otherwise, is there anything in particular you are having trouble with so we can help you out?

i think blender works great when you get the hang of it just remember a couple of keys like g for move and b for box selecting. did you read any tuts?

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The first thing I always try with any new 3D app is the basic things, like moving and selecting objects, camera positioning, light positioning, and simple texturing. If the really simple, basic stuff is to difficult to use, I usually give up. I had trouble with just about all of the above... it's just plain awkward... I don't even know where to begin... like, I can't even figure out how to repoint my user camera, or to quickly save a camera view point. I know this is supposed to be a great and powerful program, but the user interface needs to be designed by someone other than an engineer.

"An Example is worth Ten Thousand Words"

to make pointing the camera easier add an empty and then make the camera track that empty. then use this scene as the start up config with ctrl u.(i did the same with a basic spot lamp for easy aiming) I had problems too switching from other apps , its more that i was used to do it in theire ways then that blender is doing it badly, if you get used to the blender way you even think the other apps could learn a trick or 2 . btw did you try my castle building tuts here i did for absolute beginners? just do a search.

Message edited on: 02/10/2006 20:09

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I have never had a problem with the interface on Blender. It's the first modeling program I tried, so I didn't have the problem of encountering a difference with what I was used to (being used to nothing else). Like any other program you use for the first time, it becomes easier the more you use it.

Next week, when I have some extra time, I will play with it some more and see if things get better.

"An Example is worth Ten Thousand Words"

What can help a lot is watching the video tutorials. I'm starting to feel like a parrot, from all the times I've said that, but they're really nice. Once you get used to the keyboard controls they're really efficient and can make other programs feel clunky--of course the catch is you have to get used to them first = Normally I position the camera by putting the 3d cursor in the spot I want to track around, then rotate around the cursor (with 'R'). I use 'G' to move the camera up and down and side to side and 'G' plus clicking the middle mouse button to dolly the camera in and out.

hmm..could you point out these video tutorials? Blender is about the 5th modeler I've used (after Strata, Anim8tor, Wings, Cinema 4d, and 'maybe Doga..;). I've figured out some basic things, but mainly it gets used as a 'toolbox' for things other programs won't do..

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)

Attached Link: http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Video_Tutorials.396.0.html

Whoops, I forgot the link. Here 'tis :)

I should probably add the disclaimer, when I mention that the interface isn't much of a problem for me, that I don't even try to use all of the features of Blender. I only use it to make meshes to be imported into UVMapper then Poser. But I've used it so much now that many of the hotkeys, and the uses of the different screen and nodes, just come automatically now. (And sometimes I have trouble using Poser, because I uselessly try using the Blender camera keys to manipulate the Poser camera.) And I figure that anyone who can learn to use something as arbitrary as the QWERTY keyboard can figure out any interface, no matter how alien it seems at first.

Hi max-, A couple of mopnths ago I was as frustrated as you are now... and now Im just a bit less angry:P You are absolutely right in that "the user interface needs to be designed by someone other than an engineer". Blender WAS designed for engineers, or, more accurately, 3D studio gurus from the firm that both developed and used Blender. Maybe its a bad mix... Regarding learning itself... Im afraid you wouldnt be able to learn it efficiently w/o reading manuals, tuts, etc. Regarding parrots;) Heres the official manual [a bit outdated, but most comprehensive]: http://www.blender3d.org/documentation/htmlI/ http://www.blender3d.org/documentation/htmlII/ And heres the Blender Wiki [a bit incomplete, but far more up-to-date;]: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro

These videos have been very helpful.(I have tried to play w/ blender a few times and ...just said forget it. Who would know a pref panel is hidden like that) After watching these...I can actually move around. Much better than the other online Blender stuff. However, I have a question. I have customized the interface and I use the left mouse button to select and no I don't have a 3button mouse. (How many people reverse buttons and use a 3button mouse?...odd)I am trying to get the hang of the 3d view port and I can't use the arrow keys on the num pad... sometimes they just stop working.Can I assign other keys for this? I want to be able to rotate and pan of course.Is there another way to rotate/pan the camera? Anybody else seen this? I am wondering if it is a bug.Thanks.

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.

I've never had a problem with the number pad locking up, and so far as I know there's no way to re-assign blender's hotkeys (yet?) Fortunately, there is another way! rotate: Alt + LMB zoom: Alt + Ctrl + LMB pan: Alt + Shift + LMB For you it might be the right mouse button, not left, since it sounds like you've got things switched.

Regarding changing the mouse buttons: I also select with LMB, since it allows me to avoid problems with accidentally positioned 3D cursor:) Regarding 3-button mouse: its far easier to use it than to break fingers with all these emulation hotkeys. Maybe its a good idea to get a 3-button mouse with a scroll? I had to use a 2-button mouse for some time and I was really happy when I was able to plug my old one back;)

Btw, Cheers and good luck with learning.

Thanks for the help. Like I said..the videos have been great.Regarding the keys not working...they don't lockup, but sometimes don't work. I have been able to get them to work, I think it may be related to using the camera, so it may just be me. Here is the thing with the mouse. I am not going to reverse buttons, since no other program I have seen or use does this...it will make me mad :) If I only lived in blender then it wouldn't matter. I do actually have a fairly nice wireless 4-button w/ a scroll. It has 2 side buttons, two middle buttons, the scroll is supposed to work as a middle button, but blender doesn't seem to recognize this. How about using a tablet in blender? I am going slowly in blender.Somethings seem very efficient and really cool and others very awkward. The other programs I use I can actually use...can't say that yet w/ blender. So I figure I will start using some of it's tools. I am interested, right now, in the uvmapper. So I am looking for some other information other than the video tutorial. BTW, where can you see actual games or demos of games made in blender?

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.

Attached Link: http://www.elysiun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11857

There's a nice thread on Elysiun with game demos, downloads, etc., but it's a pretty old thread so perhaps not very current.

Thanks,will check it out. I have been there a couple of times. The original materials library full version is actually a dead dn link there, but the lite version was there.

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.

Blender was the first serious 3D app I ever used. I did have to buy the old manuals, which are available for free download now, in order to use it. Once I got the hang of it, I can zip around now pretty quick and easy. I think it's a great app.

the number pad locking up? did you check if the num lock light was on or off?? i had that happening to me a couple of times, try it.

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