Post 9/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Introduction to Physics (Rigid Bodies) Tutorial

 

Goal

Learn basic physics simulation using Blender’s rigid body physics to simulate falling objects and their interactions.

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Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Set Up Your Scene

1. Open Blender: Start a new project.
2. Delete the Default Cube: Select the cube and press X, then confirm to delete it.
3. Add a Plane:
• Press Shift + A to open the Add menu.
• Go to Mesh > Plane.
• Scale it up by pressing S and moving your mouse outward, then left-click to confirm.

Step 2: Add Falling Objects

1. Create a Cube:
• Press Shift + A > Mesh > Cube.
• Scale the cube to make it look like a falling object (e.g., S, Z, and type 0.5 to scale it down on the Z-axis).
2. Position the Cube: Move the cube above the plane (e.g., press G, then Z, and type 5 to lift it up).

Step 3: Set Up Rigid Body Physics

1. Select the Plane:
• Go to the Physics Properties panel (the bouncing ball icon).
• Click Add Rigid Body and set it to Passive. This means it won’t move but will interact with other objects.
2. Select the Cube:
• In the same Physics Properties panel, click Add Rigid Body.
• Set it to Active. This allows it to be affected by gravity and interact with the plane.

Step 4: Adjust Physics Settings

1. Select the Cube:
• Under Rigid Body settings, you can adjust parameters like Mass if desired (default is fine for this tutorial).
• Ensure Collision Shape is set to Box for simplicity.
2. Select the Plane:
• Make sure its Collision Shape is set to Mesh or Box.

Step 5: Set Up Gravity

1. Go to Scene Properties: Click on the scene properties tab (the cone icon).
2. Find Gravity Settings: Ensure that gravity is set to default values (usually 0, -9.81, 0 for downward gravity).

Step 6: Run the Simulation

1. Play the Animation:
• Press Spacebar to start the animation.
• Watch the cube fall and interact with the plane.
2. Stop the Animation: Press Spacebar again to stop.

Step 7: Fine-Tuning the Animation

1. Adjust Timing:
• If you want the cube to fall for longer, move it higher or change the start frame of the animation in the timeline.
2. Add More Objects:
• Repeat the process to add more cubes or other shapes to see various interactions. Adjust their positions and heights for varied results.

Step 8: Render Your Animation

1. Set Up the Camera:
• Press Shift + A > Camera to add a camera.
• Position it to frame the falling cube.
• Press N, and under the camera tab, lock the camera to view for easier positioning.
2. Render Settings:
• Go to the Output Properties (the printer icon).
• Set your resolution and choose a format (like PNG for still images or FFmpeg for video).
3. Render Animation:
• Go to the menu bar and select Render > Render Animation to save your animation.

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Shareable Visual

You should now have a short animation showing a cube falling onto a plane. Render this animation and share it as a visual representation of your learning!

Tips for Improvement

• Experiment with different shapes and sizes of objects.
• Change the mass and friction settings to see how they affect the simulation.
• Try adding more complexity by stacking multiple cubes or creating obstacles.

Next Steps

On Day 10, you’ll delve into advanced materials using shaders, expanding your understanding of Blender’s capabilities. Enjoy experimenting with physics!

 

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