Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
By default, the cube is selected as shown by the orange outline around the cube. An ob-
ject is deselected by pressing the A key and selected by clicking on it with the right mouse
button (RMB). Note that if you deselect an object, then press the A key a second time, you
will select everything in the 3D window.
Try it out:
Press the A key to deselect. Click the RMB on the camera. Press the A key
to deselect again. Click the RMB on the cube (this selects the cube again).
Note also that with the object properties panel displayed, the val-
ues change according to which object you have selected. At this stage
do not be concerned with the values; we are just becoming familiar
with the broad outline of the interface.
Remember that in the 3D window we are seeing a 3D represen-
tation of a world. e squared grid in the scene represents the hori-
zontal mid-plane of the world on the
x-
and
y
-axis. e green line
on the grid is the
y
-axis and the red line is the
x
-axis. e vertical
axis is the
z
-axis. If you look at the lower LH corner of the window
you see these axes displayed. You also see in white the name of the
object selected.
e red, green, and blue arrows on the cube object are a 3D ma-
nipulator for moving the object around on the scene (Figure 1.12).
is will be discussed in detail
later but for now we will use it
to move the cube. Click on the
green arrow and, while holding
the mouse button down, drag the
mouse to the right. e cube out-
line turns white in the process in-
dicating that it is in “Grab” mode.
Release the LMB and the cube will
stay where it is placed.
We moved the cube so that
you can see the small circle with
the crosshairs at the center of the
world. is is the
3D cursor
, not
the mouse cursor (Figure 1.13).
If you click the LMB anywhere in
the scene with the mouse, the 3D
cursor relocates to wherever you clicked. If you were to add another object into the scene,
that object would be located at the point of the 3D cursor.
e cube object is called a
primitive
, which is one of ten basic shapes available in Blender
from which to commence modeling (Figure 1.14). Click on “Add” in the info window header
then place the mouse cursor on “Mesh” in the drop down menu to see the list of primitives.
Figure 1.12
3D cursor
Figure 1.13
Learning
Unit 1
Primitive Mesh
Objects
