Blender 3D is an amazing open source 3D graphic modeling application. Originally released by a Dutch animation studio, NaN (Not a Number Technologies) as shareware, it soon found it’s way to the open source community when NaN went bankrupt.
Blender is a very powerful 3D graphic modeling application comparable to other expensive high-end 3D software such as 3DS Max and Maya. Blender comes with an impressive physics and game engine as well as a number of plugins which extends it’s functionality. The built-in renderer is one of the fastest renderers out there, but Blender gives you the option to use other renderers. Blender also comes with a Python scripting API which further extends the possibilities.
With it’s flexible and intuitive, yet non-standard user interface, users will find their work flow improve. Working with Blender is a very keyboard intensive task, with the left hand using shortcut keys and the right-hand controlling the mouse. While Blender can be initially very intimidating, the extensive online tutorials will help new users get started in 3D modeling with ease. Blender allows you to export in various formats for other 3D applications and 3D maps for games such as Quake 3.
While browsing forums for Blender related topics, I found a lot of experienced 3DS Max and Maya users that have switched partly (if not completely) to Blender because of it’s usability, stability, power and the fact that it is free. Others are waiting for Blender’s 3.0 version to be released to make their final decision due to the lack of features not yet supported in Blender.
See the resource links below or just browse the Blender website to see what the program is capable of.
Useful Resources:
Home of Blender 3D
Blender Features Overview
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/
Blender Gallery
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/gallery/art-gallery/
Blender Movies
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/movies/
Blender Tutorials
