Blender

A Blender Tutorial
Building a Simple Loco Part 1 The Mesh
© Paul Hobbs 2008

Page 1 of 47

Version 1.07

Contents
Why Blender?.......................................................................................................................................3Disadvantages.......................................................................................................................................3 About this Tutorial................................................................................................................................3 The Interface.........................................................................................................................................4 Editing and SelectingElements............................................................................................................8 Using Background Images...................................................................................................................9 Creating Meshes From Profiles..........................................................................................................12 Extruding Edges andSnapping..........................................................................................................17 Making Round Objects and Moving the 3D Cursor...........................................................................20 Joining Objects Together....................................................................................................................22 Removing UnwantedPolygons..........................................................................................................24 Copying and Rotating Objects............................................................................................................24 Mirroring Objects...............................................................................................................................24 Splitting aMesh Object Apart............................................................................................................26 Creating a Bolt Head Using a Cylinder..............................................................................................26 Moving the PivotPoint.......................................................................................................................27 Resetting the Transformation of an Object ('Reset XForm')..............................................................28 More Mirroring...................................................................................................................................29 Using LibraryParts.............................................................................................................................29 Selecting and Smoothing Elements of an Object...............................................................................30 Creating Library Sub Meshes.............................................................................................................32 Building the Tanks and RoundingCorners.........................................................................................33 Making the Boiler...............................................................................................................................36 More on Selecting and Smoothing.....................................................................................................37 Chimneys andDomes.........................................................................................................................38 Beading and Window Frames.............................................................................................................41 Handrails and Pipework.....................................................................................................................44 Organising the Model, Layers and Hiding/Showing...