Studio Setup Example using Blender Python
In this post I demonstrate how to access and change the settings of objects in Blender including the scene, light and camera while also swapping out the default cube for a plane. Having custom Python scripts can be useful and learning it in Blender a fun process. Check out the YouTube video here: We begin…
10 Reasons why the 3D Cursor is Essential to your Blender Workflow
1. The 3D Cursor Tool2. Accurately Position the 3D Cursor3. Aligning Objects to the 3D Cursors Rotation4. The 3D Cursor Snap Menu5. Snapping individual Vertices to the 3D Cursor6. Align Objects to the 3D Cursor7. Snapping Objects to the Position of the 3D Cursor8. Using the 3D cursor to Change an Origin Point9. Using the…
The Archipack add-on in Blender
To get started with Archipack we first need to enable the add-on. Press F4 and open the file context menu and from here open preferences. On the left click and open the add-ons tab. (Start typing Archipack) I find typing up top can be the fastest way to find what your looking for. Enabling the…
The following post is a short guide to the Archimesh add-on for Blender 2.9x
Click here for a YouTube Tutorial covering the features of Archimesh Archimesh is an architectural design tool add-on for Blender that generates an array of architectural objects. This add-on must be enabled in preferences for it to become available in the 3D scene. Press F4 for the file context menu and open preferences. Press F4…
3D Modelling & Printing with Blender Software and a Prusa 3D Printer
Take the Course In the following post I work through the process of modelling this piggy bank in Blender for printing on a Prusa 3D printer. Watch the video here. I’ll be using a Prusa printer to print the model. With all projects its a good idea to have the unit system set up before…
How to Use the MeasureIt Add-on in Blender
MeasureIt is a measurement display add-on for Blender that lets you add dimensions to your models. The tools displays accurate measurements for your design projects in the viewport. These measurements can be rendered using the scene camera and combined with the rendered model. In the following post I’m going to work through the MeasureIt add-on…
Blender to Twinmotion Architectural Visualization
Take the Course Setting up and FreeCAD reference We begin by using a DXF file created in FreeCAD. The course required an accurate plan and instead of creating it in Blender this time I decided to take a look at the 2D capabilities of FreeCAD. FreeCAD is an open source parametric 3D modeler but has…
Blender to Game Engine Rigged Asset Creation
Check out this course on Udemy here and get a discount on the advertised price! Take the Course Whether you are creating a game or animation asset in Blender this course will guide you step by step through the process of creating an asset for use in a game engine such as Unreal engine or…
Blender 2.8 – 3D House Creation
Take the Course Check out this course on Udemy here and get a discount on the advertised price! With the recent release of Blender 2.8 the hugely anticipated and major iteration of the software, this huge milestone in its evolution is sure not to disappoint. There has never been a greater time to experience 3D…
Getting Started with Blender
Introduction This post is a simple guide for new users of the Blender 3D software. It includes some practical exercises the reader can follow along to. The exercises provides a “learn by doing approach” that is fundamental to understanding and mastering Blender. The first section provides information on the different areas within Blender when you…
Discover the Archipack Add-on in Blender
Setting up the Archipack add-on in Blender Getting started with Archipack you need to run Blender as an administer. This will allow you to render the thumbnail images for each of the structural elements. So what I normally do is from the search menu on my windows desktop, type in blender, and when it appears…
How to use Archimesh in Blender
New Archimesh Blog Post (2020 Update Available) with Tutorial on YouTube Click here for a YouTube Tutorial covering the features of Archimesh Take the Course A quick guide to Archimesh Item Description Elements Generates the different Architectural elements including a default material. The different elements get placed at the 3D cursor. Initial properties are displayed…
Has Blender become a real architectural drafting & Design solution?
In the past you may have struggled with the idea of using Blender as an alternative drafting tool to the likes of Autodesk’s AutoCAD for example.
Not that Blender hadn’t a lot to offer, with an incredible intuitive user friendly interface, great shortcut key combinations that makes working a joy.
The software also came packed with a list of great add-ons or just great features that included a landscape generator, the ability of drawing free hand on screen, creating trees, displaying measurements and creating house structures with fixtures. All of these features and many more that probably would have gotten you over the line.
The fact was and I know I experienced it early on, the fear of actually committing 100% to using it all the time. I always felt coming from the established, clunky, expensive and sometimes frustrating to use software packages I needed a security blanket, kind of like my hand holding onto the levers of the past, just in case this incredible (and sometimes hard to believe its free) software package disappears, and you’re left standing with your pants down!
With the current version of Blender I’ve been amazed at the progress that’s been achieved so quickly, but not surprised because the people behind this incredible project have the vision, passion and desire to achieve anything, just look at the recent blender conference.
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but NOT surprised because the people behind this incredible project have the vision, passion and desire to achieve anything, just look at the recent blender conference.
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One new updated addition included in the current release of Blender is the very cool measureit add-on. I’m going to take a quick look at it here. To install it go to file – user preferences – add-ons (Pictured Below) Scroll down through the list and put a check mark in the box next to the name of the add-on.
Measureit is a great add-on for Blender that has loads of functionality. Once the add-on has been enabled in user preferences it will be displayed on the tools shelf back in the 3D view (Short cut key T). By default the measureit tool is switched to hidden, simply change this to “show” on the tool shelf. You can set up some basic text and styles in the configuration tab then tab into edit mode to take your measurements. For example if you are in vertex selection mode and shift select two vertices on the tool shelf you can select segment to get a distance between these two points. Once segment has been selected additional properties for this measurement appear on the bottom section of the properties shelf (short cut key N). (See picture below)
The image below was created using mesh planes and displayed using Blenders orthographic camera. This plan view is detailed in a video tutorial I uploaded to YouTube so check it out if you want to dive into this very cool and very useful feature. This tutorial only touches on the basics such as segments, labels, the distance between two separate objects and determining the area of an object. I found the measureit add-on very easy to use with plenty of control for some great customisation. It will be add-ons like this that propel Blender forward and what have made it a real alternative as a drafting and architectural design power house.
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