Day 2: Blender tutorial for making illustrations - Creating Basic 2D Shapes and Text in Blender

 

Objective:

Learn to create and manipulate basic 2D shapes (circles, squares) and add text elements in Blender. By the end of this session, you will create a basic 2D diagram with text labels.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Blender and Set Up Your Workspace:
• Open Blender and start a new project by selecting File > New > General.
• Delete the default cube by selecting it and pressing X, then confirm by clicking "Delete."
2. Switch to 2D Mode Using Grease Pencil:
• Switch to 2D Animation Mode:
• On the top bar, click on 2D Animation from the dropdown menu next to "File." This switches Blender to a 2D drawing environment, which is ideal for creating flat shapes and text.
3. Creating Basic 2D Shapes:
• Add a Circle or Square (Rectangle):
• Press Shift + A to open the Add menu.
• Navigate to Mesh > Circle or Mesh > Plane for a square/rectangle.
• Once added, the shape will appear in the 3D viewport.
4. Adjust Shape Properties:
• Scale the Shape:
• Select the shape and press S to scale it up or down.
• Edit Shape Vertices (Optional):
• Press Tab to enter Edit Mode, where you can adjust individual vertices. Use G to move vertices and reshape your object as desired.
5. Add Text to Your Scene:
• Adding Text:
• Press Shift + A and select Text from the Add menu.
• A default "Text" object will appear in the viewport.
6. Editing Text:
• Switch to Edit Mode:
• With the text object selected, press Tab to enter Edit Mode.
• Change the Text Content:
• Delete the existing text by pressing Backspace and type in your desired label (e.g., "Circle Diagram").
• Exit Edit Mode:
• Press Tab again to exit Edit Mode.
7. Adjust Text Properties:
• Scale the Text:
• With the text selected, press S to scale it up or down to fit your diagram.
• Position the Text:
• Use G to move the text into the correct position relative to your shape.
8. Customize the Text Font (Optional):
• Access Text Properties:
• On the right side, in the Properties Panel, click the A icon (Font Properties).
• Change Font Style:
• Under "Font," click the folder icon next to "Regular" to browse and select a different font from your computer.
• Adjust Spacing and Alignment:
• Use the alignment options to center, left-align, or right-align the text.
9. Adding Colors to Shapes and Text:
• Switch to the Material Properties Tab:
• With the shape or text selected, go to the Material Properties (circle icon) on the right.
• Create a New Material:
• Click "New" and adjust the Base Color to your desired shade.
• Apply Different Colors to Text and Shapes:
• Repeat the process for each element, using distinct colors to enhance readability.
10. Organize Your Diagram (Using Layers):
• Create Layers for Better Organization (Optional):
• Use the Outliner to name each shape and text for easy identification.
• Group Elements:
• Select related objects and press Ctrl + G to group them together, making it easier to move the entire diagram.
11. Save Your Work:
• Save Your Blender File:
• Go to File > Save As and name your file (e.g., "Day2_2DShapesAndText.blend").
12. Rendering a Still Image of Your Diagram (Optional):
• Render the View:
• Go to Render > Render Image or press F12 to render your diagram.
• Save the Rendered Image:
• In the Render window, select Image > Save As to save your 2D diagram as a PNG or JPEG.
13. Wrap-Up:
• Take some time to adjust and refine your shapes and text until you are satisfied with the look of your diagram.
• Explore different text alignments, shapes, and sizes to see how they affect your overall design.

Outcome:

By the end of Day 2, you will have created a simple 2D diagram with labeled text in Blender, setting the stage for more complex illustrations and animations in the upcoming sessions.

Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification on any step!

Source:

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