Post 11/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Simple Object Destruction with Physics

 

Goal: Learn how to break objects using Blender's physics system to create a destruction effect.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Set Up Your Scene

1. Open Blender and create a new project.
2. Delete the default cube (if present) by right-clicking it and selecting Delete.
3. Add a new object to simulate destruction:
• Go to the top menu and select Add > Mesh > Cube.
4. Scale the cube to a suitable size for your destruction effect (e.g., 1.5 on the X, Y, and Z axes).

Step 2: Prepare the Object for Destruction

1. Apply the Scale:
• With the cube selected, press Ctrl + A and select Scale.
2. Go to Object Mode (ensure you're not in Edit Mode).

Step 3: Set Up the Rigid Body Physics

1. Select the Cube, then go to the Physics Properties tab (represented by a bouncing ball icon).
2. Click on Rigid Body.
• Set the type to Active (this allows it to move).
• Leave the default settings for now.

Step 4: Create the Destruction Effect

1. Add a New Object:
• Go to Add > Mesh > Plane. This will be the ground for the falling pieces.
• Scale it up (e.g., to 10 on the X and Y axes) and move it down so that the cube will fall onto it.
2. Select the Plane and go to the Physics Properties tab.
3. Click on Rigid Body and set the type to Passive. This will make it a static object that other objects can collide with.

Step 5: Create the Destruction with the Cell Fracture Add-on

1. Enable the Cell Fracture Add-on:
• Go to Edit > Preferences, then navigate to the Add-ons tab.
• Search for "Cell Fracture" and enable it.
2. Select the Cube and press F3 (or Spacebar in older versions) to open the search menu.
3. Type "Cell Fracture" and select it.
4. In the Cell Fracture panel, set the number of pieces (e.g., 20) and click OK. This will create fractured copies of the cube.

Step 6: Set Up the Animation

1. Select all fractured pieces (use A to select all).
2. With all pieces selected, go to the Physics Properties tab and ensure each piece is set to Active in the Rigid Body settings.
3. Press Spacebar to play the animation. The pieces should fall and break apart on the plane.

Step 7: Fine-Tune the Simulation

1. Adjust the Rigid Body settings for better results:
• You can tweak the mass, friction, and bounciness for different effects.
2. Press Alt + A to replay the animation and observe the destruction.

Step 8: Render Your Animation

1. Set up your camera:
• Select the camera and position it to frame your scene.
2. Go to the Render Properties tab:
• Set the render engine to Cycles or Eevee based on your preference.
3. Render the Animation:
• Go to the Output Properties tab, choose the output folder, and set the file format (e.g., PNG or video).
• Press Ctrl + F12 to render the animation.

Step 9: Share Your Visual

1. Save your project (File > Save As).
2. Upload your rendered animation to a platform like YouTube or social media to share your progress!

Shareable Visual:

• A destruction animation showing the fractured cube breaking apart on impact with the ground.

Sources:
ChatGPT

Day 9: Blender tutorial for making illustrations - Animated Text for Illustrations

Objective: Learn how to create and animate text in Blender to enhance your illustrations, making them more engaging and informative.

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Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Open Blender:

• Launch Blender. You’ll start with a new project, so ensure you’re in the Layout workspace.

2. Add a Text Object:

• Press Shift + A to open the Add menu.
• Navigate to Text and select it. A default text object will appear in the center of the scene.

3. Edit the Text:

• With the text object selected, press Tab to enter Edit Mode.
• Delete the default text (usually “Text”) and type your desired label (e.g., “Biology Concept”).
• Press Tab again to exit Edit Mode.

4. Position the Text:

• Use the Move tool (shortcut G) to position the text in the desired location within your scene.
• Adjust the height and depth by moving the text along the Z-axis if necessary.

5. Style the Text:

• With the text object selected, go to the Object Data Properties panel (the icon that looks like a letter 'A').
• Under the Font section, you can change the font style, size, and alignment. Choose a font that matches the theme of your project.

6. Animate the Text:

·        Insert Keyframes:

• With the text object still selected, go to the Object Properties panel (the orange square icon).
• Locate the Transform section.
• Right-click on Scale and choose Insert Keyframe. Set the initial scale to 0 (to make it invisible).
• Move the timeline marker to frame 10 (or any frame you choose).
• Change the scale to 1 (normal size) and insert another keyframe.

·        Optional: Animate Opacity (if using a material):

• If you want to animate opacity, you can create a new material for the text.
• Go to the Material Properties panel (the red sphere icon).
• Right-click on Alpha in the material settings and insert a keyframe at 0 at frame 1.
• Move to frame 10 and set the Alpha to 1, then insert another keyframe.

7. Preview the Animation:

• Press Spacebar to play the animation and see how the text appears in your scene.

8. Refine the Animation:

• Open the Graph Editor to adjust the keyframes for smoother transitions.
• Select the keyframes and press T to choose different interpolation types (e.g., Ease In, Ease Out) for smoother animations.

9. Add Additional Text Elements:

• Repeat the process to create and animate any additional text labels you want in your illustration, adjusting timing and placement as necessary.

10. Save Your Project:

• Regularly save your project by pressing Ctrl + S to avoid losing your work.

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Outcome

By the end of Day 9, you will have created and animated text labels in your Blender project, making your illustrations more dynamic and engaging.

 

Source:

ChatGPT

Post 23/30: Sector N, Phase 8, Bahria Town, Rawalpindi

 

(Source: Bahria Town)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “Sector N Tour - 5 Marla affordable plots / Bahria Town Rawalpndi” on the channel “Garrison Estate And Builders.”

The host shares that plots in Sector N in Phase 8 in Bahria Town are 5 marla plots and are available in very reasonable prices. In the whole Phase 8 (any sector) in Bahria Town, 5 marla plots are available at a price range of 55 or more lacs. In the Sector N, 45 marla plots are available at different prices, such as 45 lacs. In the price range of 45 lacs to 50 lacs, a plot at very good location can be purchased. In this area, all-dues-clear plots are available. There are also no transfer fees, as you would be the first allottee, and the plot is not going to be transferred to your name. There is minimal tax on obtaining the property. Amenities are also available. In the nearby sector I, plots are available in the price range of 65 lacs to 70 lacs.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Sources:

Garrison Estate And Builders.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpcOqTF9Jmg

Post 10/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Advanced Materials (Using Shaders) Guide

 

Goal:

Dive deeper into Blender’s shader system to create complex materials like glass and metal.

What You’ll Need:

• Blender installed and opened.
• Basic knowledge of materials from Day 3.

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Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace

1. Open Blender: Start a new project or continue from your previous work.
2. Select the Layout: Switch to the "Shading" workspace at the top of Blender. This provides a dedicated area for material creation.
3. Create a New Object: Add a new object (e.g., a sphere) by pressing Shift + A, then selecting Mesh > UV Sphere.

Step 2: Create a Glass Material

1.     Select the Object: Click on your new sphere to select it.

2.     Open the Shader Editor: In the lower section of the workspace, you'll see the Shader Editor. This is where you’ll create your materials.

3.     Add a New Material: In the Material Properties panel (on the right), click "New" to create a new material.

4.     Set Up the Glass Shader:

• In the Shader Editor, delete the default Principled BSDF node by selecting it and pressing X.
• Press Shift + A, navigate to Shader, and select Glass BSDF.
• Connect the Glass BSDF to the Material Output node by dragging the output socket to the input socket.

5.     Adjust Glass Properties:

• Set the IOR (Index of Refraction) to 1.5 for realistic glass.
• Change the Roughness value to around 0.1 for a smooth glass look.

Step 3: Create a Metallic Material

1.     Add Another Object: Press Shift + A, select Mesh, and then Cube to create a new cube.

2.     Select the Cube: Click on the cube to select it.

3.     Create a New Material:

• In the Material Properties panel, click "New."
• In the Shader Editor, again delete the Principled BSDF node.
• Add a Principled BSDF shader (Shift + A > Shader > Principled BSDF) and connect it to the Material Output.

4.     Set Up Metallic Properties:

• Increase the Metallic value to 1.0.
• Set the Roughness to 0.2 for a shiny surface.
• You can also adjust the Base Color to a desired metallic color (like a silver or gold tone).

Step 4: Lighting the Scene (10 minutes)

1. Add a Light Source: Press Shift + A, then select Light > Area Light.
2. Position the Light: Move the light above the objects (use the G key and drag it).
3. Adjust Light Settings:
• In the Light Properties panel, increase the Power to around 1000 watts to illuminate your materials effectively.

Step 5: Rendering the Scene (5 minutes)

1. Switch to Render View: In the top right corner of the viewport, switch from "Solid" mode to "Rendered" mode to see your materials in action.
2. Render the Image:
• Go to the top menu, click Render > Render Image (or press F12).
3. Save Your Render: After rendering, go to Image > Save As in the render window to save your image.

Step 6: Share Your Visual

1. Create a Shareable Visual: Make sure your rendered image shows off both the glass and metallic materials.
2. Export the Image: Use the saved image to share on social media, forums, or with friends to showcase your work!

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Recap of Day 10:

• Materials Created: You learned to create a realistic glass material and a shiny metallic material using Blender's shader system.
• Shareable Visual: A rendered image showcasing your advanced materials.

Sources:
ChatGPT

Day 8: Blender tutorial for making illustrations - Advanced Grease Pencil Drawing Techniques

 

Objective:

By the end of today’s session, you will be able to create a more detailed diagram using advanced Grease Pencil techniques, including using different brushes, fill tools, and custom shapes.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Set Up Blender for Grease Pencil Work

• Open Blender and select the Grease Pencil option in the startup file or create a new Grease Pencil object by going to Add > Grease Pencil > Blank.
• Switch to Draw Mode by selecting the Grease Pencil object and then changing the mode from the dropdown menu at the top left of the viewport.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Grease Pencil Tools

• Brush Tool: Select different brushes from the brush panel on the left side. Experiment with options like ‘Pencil’, ‘Ink’, and ‘Fill’ to see their effects.
• Eraser Tool: Familiarize yourself with the eraser to clean up any mistakes.

3. Create Custom Brushes

• Go to the Brush settings on the left and create a new brush by clicking the + icon.
• Adjust settings such as size, strength, and texture to create a brush that suits your illustration style.

4. Drawing Basic Shapes and Lines

• Use your selected brush to draw simple shapes (e.g., circles, squares) and lines.
• Practice creating nodes and connections for your diagram. Remember, the smoother your lines, the better the final outcome.

5. Adding Fills to Your Shapes

• Switch to the Fill tool and select the area within your shapes to fill them with color. You can choose colors from the color palette or define custom colors.
• Use the Fill Layer options to adjust the opacity and stroke colors.

6. Organizing Your Drawing with Layers

• In the Grease Pencil properties panel, create separate layers for different elements of your diagram (e.g., background, shapes, labels).
• This organization will help you edit specific parts of your drawing without affecting others.

7. Detailing Your Diagram

• Use the Stroke and Grease Pencil layers to add more detail to your diagram, such as arrows, annotations, or icons.
• Try layering various shapes and strokes to create depth.

8. Animating Your Drawing (Optional)

• If you’re interested in adding animation, switch to Edit Mode, select your lines, and use the Keyframe feature to create frame-by-frame animation.
• Experiment with the Grease Pencil’s interpolation options to create smooth transitions.

9. Review and Refine

• Take a step back and review your drawing. Make any necessary adjustments to the shapes, colors, or overall composition.
• Use the Eraser Tool to clean up any unwanted lines or overlaps.

10. Save Your Work

• Save your project regularly to avoid losing any progress. Go to File > Save As and choose a suitable filename.

Outcome

You should now have a detailed diagram created with advanced Grease Pencil techniques. This can serve as a foundational element for your future illustrative videos.

Additional Tips

• Practice: Take time to experiment with different brushes and styles to develop your unique visual approach.
• Watch Tutorials: Consider watching specific Blender Grease Pencil tutorials on platforms like YouTube for additional techniques and inspiration.

Source:

ChatGPT

Post 22/30: Bahria Town, Rawalpindi – Decline in Prices

(Source: Bahria Town)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “Bahria Town Rawalpindi Plot Prices | Bahria Town Prices 2024 | Advice Associates” on the channel “Advice Associates”

The host shares information about prices of 5 marla plots in Bahria Town, and compares the prices in 2022 from that in 2024. In the overseas block, prices were about 99 lacs (in 2022) and now prices are about 75 lacs. In the Garden City, prices went down from about 95 lacs to 75 lacs. In the Rafi block, prices were about 85 lacs and now about 72 lacs. In the Ali Block, prices went from about 85 lacs to about 70 lacs. In the M Block, prices went down from about 90 lacs to about 65 lacs. It is also one of the hot blocks, as it has many developed houses. In the L Block, prices went down from about 85 lacs to 55 lacs. In the Rose Garden, prices went down from 65 lacs to 48 lacs. In the Orchard, prices went down from 45 lacs to 22 lacs, which is the second largest decline among all prices. In the Bahria Phase-8 Extension, prices went down from 35 lacs to 12 lacs, which is maximum decline among all prices.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Sources:

Advice Associates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mT01PwUi7U

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!

 

Source:
ChatGPT