What BLENDER is about.

To work on special effects and complex scenes with large amount of 3D graphics Levitation Studio uses Blender.

What is so special about this free open source program? If now there are splendid creation suites from such software giant as Autodesk – 3ds Max, Maya, or for example quite amicable Cinema4D. Let me explain why we’ve chosen this very 3D content creation software. Firstly, it is the fact that you don’t have to spend a penny to use Blender in your work. You can hardly find a freeware product so considered and multifunctional which is developed not by a single man or a small group of people but by a large international team (consisting mostly of enthusiasts). But of course absolute accessibility would not be enough.

In our project we will work a lot on constructing 3-dimension scenes, various interior and exterior objects and on modeling numerous highly detailed characters. This will require much time. I can safely say that with no other suite I managed to create a 3D-model as quickly as it is possible with Blender. After you look into, you can completely reorganize its interface to your own convenience. No additional menus necessary. Also, Blender offers an amazing default set of shortcuts. For example, I didn’t change the initial keyboard layout as it is extremely convenient.

As far as we don’t just make fine pictures but make a movie, we need powerful animation technologies. In this aspect Blender is on the same level as the above mentioned software. It offers excellent character rig (btw, linking objects to bones is easier in Blender than in other software) and also possibility of Motion Capture import and various modifiers which allow to change the shape of objects dynamically. I mean that you can animate anything you like and can do it quite easily. Blender also offers technology of combining 3D-graphics with video fragments. Recently object tracking has been added and it significantly simplifies the whole compositing process.

Also I want to mention the technology of rendering used in Blender. Until recently the main means of visualization was Internal Blender, and professionals from 3ds Max could just shrug their shoulders seeing the results got in Blender. But a few months ago GPU Cycles was added to the official suite. I will not describe the results, just advise you to see them in the internet. Very impressive. On the whole there are many functions in Blender which simplify the creation of high-quality CG. For example, sculpting mode and extras that can be added with Python scripting, and a wide range of add-ons , even a built-in game engine! I can’t  describe everything in just one article – if you are interested, visit the official website and check the Doc page. There is no doubt that Blender has all possibilities to carry out 3D-visualization and animation of scenes, objects and characters which will compete in beauty with Hollywood blockbusters.

At the moment we’ve got several people working with Blender, all at different levels: some of them have just started the program while other already make money with its help. But all of them are united by vivid interest to this program and desire that Levitation Studio will develop with their help.

As for the use of Blender in Russia, well it’s not so widely used as 3ds Max, for example. But I guess it is mostly about lack of publicity. Everyone knows Autodesk because it’s a brand and they’ve got fine PR. Blender hasn’t acquired deserved popularity yet but for sure it will, and people who use it will help. Such software cannot remain in the shadow for a long time. Online communities, social networks and blogs of CG professionals – aren’t these the best advertisement?

Evgeniy Rodygin,

Levitation Studio.