Day 18: Blender tutorial for making illustrations - Drawing Biological Processes (e.g., Cell Division) in Blender

Objective:

Learn how to visually represent a biological process like cell division using Blender, including basic animation to showcase different stages of the process.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Blender and Set Up Your Workspace
• Open Blender and reset the default scene if needed.
• Use a top-down or front orthographic view (press 1 or 7 on the numpad) to work on a 2D plane.
2. Create Basic Shapes for the Cells
• Go to Add > Mesh > Circle to create the first cell.
• In the Properties panel, adjust the circle's vertices to make it smooth (about 32 vertices).
• Scale the circle to the desired size by pressing S and adjusting it.
3. Duplicate the Cell for Division
• Select the cell (A to select all if necessary), and duplicate it using Shift + D.
• Move the duplicated circle slightly to the side to start representing the process of division.
4. Shape the Cells for the Dividing Stages
• Press Tab to go into Edit Mode. Select the circle’s vertices, and use proportional editing (O) to reshape the cell into a more oval form, simulating the stage where the cell begins to divide.
• Repeat this step for the duplicated cell to create a pair of dividing cells.
5. Animate the Cell Division
• In the Timeline panel at the bottom, insert keyframes (I > Location) for the initial position of the two cells.
• Move the timeline slider forward, then slightly adjust the position of the duplicated cell, representing the gradual separation of the two cells.
• Insert another keyframe at the new position.
• Repeat this to create the entire animation of a cell dividing into two over a few seconds.
6. Adding Colors
• Go to the Shading tab, and select the cells. Assign a new material to them.
• Choose a color that represents the cells (e.g., green for plant cells or light blue for animal cells).
• Apply the color to both the original and duplicated cells.
7. Enhance the Scene with Labels and Arrows
• Add text labels to indicate stages like "Interphase," "Prophase," "Metaphase," etc., by going to Add > Text.
• Use Add > Mesh > Arrow to add arrows indicating the direction of the division process. Scale and position them appropriately.
8. Add Camera Movement
• Press Shift + A and add a Camera. Position it to capture the entire process.
• Animate the camera to zoom in or pan across the scene by inserting keyframes (I > Location and Rotation) at different points in the timeline.
9. Render the Animation
• In the Output Properties tab, set the desired resolution (e.g., 1080p) and select the output format (MP4 or AVI).
• Choose the frame range to render (e.g., frame 1 to 100).
• Click Render > Render Animation to start the rendering process.
10. Review and Refine

• Once the render is complete, play the animation to ensure smooth transitions and that the cell division process is clear.
• Make adjustments if needed (e.g., speed of division, camera angles).

Outcome:

You will have a simple animated illustration of a biological process, such as cell division, with smooth transitions between different stages. You can now start using similar techniques for other biological processes.

This sets the foundation for more complex educational content, including adding your voiceover and further refining the visual style.

Source:
ChatGPT

An important low-budget CDA-approved sector in Islamabad

The owner of the channel “investors point”, Rana Waqas, on Youtube discusses some of the cheapest properties/plots in Islamabad. He discusses that usually plots in CDA sectors are costly and difficult to purchase. He discusses that plots in Sector I-15 are less costly and can be purchased. Two of its subsectors, I-15/4 and I-15/3, have been approved for possession. For instance, in I-15/4, construction of houses has already been started. Electric poles have also been built in some areas and mostly those areas are possessionable. On the other hand, I-15/1 and I-15/2 are the areas, where Earth-work has already been started and drainage and sewerage work has also been completed. In the streets, first and second layers have been put, but third layer still remains, and after third layer, electric poles will be installed. The Sector I-15 has two sizes, including 5 marlas (25x50) and 7 marlas (30x60). Considering 5 marla plots, plots in I-15/1 and I-15/2 are available in the range of 55 lacs to 70 lacs, and in the possessionable area, plots are available in the range of 70 lacs to 85 lacs. Considering the 7 marla plots, they are available in the range of 80 lacs to 1.05 crores in the sectors I-15/1 and I-15/2, and in the sectors I-15/3 and I-15/4, the prices of 7 marla plots can range from 1 crore to 1.4 crores.

The host tells that I-15 sector is an economically best sector with a bright future. It is because in between I-15 and I-16, a 16^th avenue will arise that will attach to Sri Nagar Highway. After this completion of 16^th avenue, this sector would left I-14 behind in terms of prices.

Source:

investors point - Islamabad Mein Sasty Tareen Sectors | Cheapest Plot Is Islamabad | CDA | Real Estate | Islamabad C15 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al45UwtUW30

Post 21/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Compositing Basics in Blender

Goal: Learn how to combine different render layers and effects using Blender’s compositor to create a unified final image or animation. Compositing allows you to blend various rendered elements and adjust them for post-processing, improving the final result.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1.     Open Blender and Set Up the Scene:

• Start Blender and either open a project or create a simple scene with at least two elements (e.g., a cube and a sphere).
• Set up the lighting, camera, and basic materials for both objects.

2.     Render Layers Setup:

• Go to the Properties Panel on the right side and navigate to the View Layer properties tab.
• Under View Layers, create multiple layers by clicking the + button. Assign different objects to different layers (e.g., put the cube in one layer and the sphere in another).

3.     Render Settings Configuration:

• Open the Render Properties (camera icon) and select Render Engine: Cycles for better results.
• Make sure to enable Transparent Background in the Film section if you want to composite objects with transparency.

4.     Open the Compositing Workspace:

• Switch to the Compositing tab at the top of the Blender interface.
• Check the box labeled Use Nodes to activate the compositor. You’ll see the default Render Layers and Composite nodes.

5.     Add and Connect Render Layers:

• Add two Render Layers nodes by pressing Shift + A, then choosing Input > Render Layers.
• Connect each Render Layer node to a different view layer by selecting the appropriate view layer from the node dropdown menu.

6.     Mixing Render Layers:

• Add a Mix node by pressing Shift + A and going to Color > Mix.
• Connect the outputs of your two Render Layers nodes to the inputs of the Mix node.
• Use the factor slider to blend the two layers (0 means showing the first layer, 1 means showing the second layer, and in-between values will blend both).

7.     Adjusting the Compositing:

• Experiment with different Blend Modes (in the dropdown menu in the Mix node, such as Add, Multiply, or Overlay) to see how the two layers interact.
• You can also add more nodes for color correction or special effects (e.g., Color Balance, Blur, Glare) to enhance the final image.

8.     Preview the Composite:

• To preview your composite, click the backdrop checkbox in the compositor panel and drag a Viewer node into your node setup (Shift + A > Output > Viewer). Connect the output of your Mix node to the Viewer.
• You should now see a preview of the composite in the background of the node editor.

9.     Render the Composite:

• Once you're satisfied with the compositing, press F12 to render the final image or animation. Blender will combine the layers and effects into one seamless render.

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Shareable Visual:

A final composited image with two or more elements blended together using various effects. You can add some color correction, lighting, or blur to enhance the realism.

 

Source:
ChatGPT

Post 20/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Force Fields in Particle Simulations

 

Goal:

Learn how to use force fields to control and manipulate particle systems in Blender. Force fields can add dynamic effects such as wind or vortexes, creating more realistic or artistic animations.

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

1. Open Your Blender Project:

• Start by launching Blender and opening a new or existing project where you can apply particle systems.

2. Set Up the Particle System:

• Add an object: Go to Add → Mesh → Plane. This plane will act as the emitter for your particles.
• Set up particles: Select the plane, then go to the Particle Properties tab on the right. Click + to add a new particle system.
• In the Emitter type, configure the settings under Number, Lifetime, and Frame Start/End as you wish. This controls how many particles are emitted and for how long.

3. Add a Force Field:

• Insert a force field: Go to Add → Force Field → choose any field you want to experiment with, such as Wind, Vortex, or Turbulence.
• Position the force field: Move the force field close to the particle emitter using the G key for Grab.

4. Adjust Force Field Settings:

• Select the force field and go to the Physics Properties tab.
• Adjust the Strength to control how powerful the force field is. Play with values to see the effect in the particle system.
• You can also modify settings like Flow, Noise, and Falloff to create more complex interactions.

5. Visualize the Force Field's Effect:

• Press the Spacebar or Play button to see the simulation in action. You’ll notice the particles being influenced by the force field.
• Experiment with different force field types (e.g., Wind for directional movement or Turbulence for chaotic motion).

6. Refine Particle System for Desired Look:

• Adjust particle properties such as Size, Velocity, and Gravity in the particle settings to fine-tune how the particles react to the force fields.
• For instance, increasing the particle velocity will make the particles move faster before the force field affects them.

7. Add Lighting and Camera:

• To improve the presentation, add lighting to your scene. Go to Add → Light → select Point or Sun.
• Position the Camera to get a good view of your particles in motion. Use the N panel to lock the camera to view for easier positioning.

8. Render Your Scene:

• After adjusting the particle system and force field interaction, go to the Render Properties tab and set your render engine to Eevee or Cycles depending on your preferences.
• Click Render → Render Animation to create a shareable animation.

Shareable Visual:

• You’ll have an animated particle system influenced by a force field (e.g., wind blowing particles or a vortex pulling them in).

This visual can be shared as an animated video clip showing the effects of Blender’s force fields on a particle system.

Tips:

• Test different force fields: Try combining multiple force fields like Wind and Turbulence to create more complex particle behavior.
• Experiment with size and lifetime: Play with the particle system’s size and lifetime settings to achieve the most visually pleasing results.

By the end of this session, you'll have a dynamic animation where particle systems are influenced by force fields, demonstrating a key VFX technique in Blender.

Source:
ChatGPT

Day 17: Blender tutorial for making illustrations - Enhancing Diagrams with Visual Effects

On Day 17, you'll focus on adding visual effects to your illustrations to highlight important elements and give them a polished, professional look. This will make your flowcharts, medical diagrams, and mind maps more engaging and visually appealing.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Your Blender Project
   Begin by opening the project where you’ve created a flowchart or medical illustration. If you don’t have one, you can use any basic diagram or flowchart from previous days as a starting point.
2. Select the Object to Enhance
• In the 3D viewport, click on the object (node, text, or shape) that you want to enhance with visual effects.
• Use Shift + click if you want to select multiple objects at once.
3. Adding Glow Effects
• Switch to the Shader Editor by selecting the object and clicking on the “Shading” tab at the top of the Blender interface.
• In the Shader Editor, create a new material for your object by clicking New.
• Add a Glow effect by connecting a “Emission Shader” node to your object.
• Adjust the Emission Strength to control the intensity of the glow.
• If desired, add a Color Ramp node to make the glow change color over time or depending on the object’s state.
4. Adding Outline Effects
• To add an outline, go to the Grease Pencil object settings if you’re working with 2D shapes.
• Enable Strokes under the “Viewport Display” settings.
• Add a “Solidify Modifier” to give your strokes a thick, visible outline. Adjust the thickness to your liking.
5. Adding Blur Effects
• In the Compositing Tab, use the Blur Node to create a soft, out-of-focus effect around key elements.
• This is useful for drawing attention to a specific part of your diagram while subtly blurring out less important details.
• Control the Blur Amount by adjusting the X and Y values on the Blur node.
6. Animating Visual Effects
• You can animate the effects to make certain elements glow or fade in at the right moment.
• In the Timeline, use keyframes to adjust the intensity of the glow or blur over time. Press I to add a keyframe on the Emission Strength or Blur values.
7. Adjusting Lighting for Emphasis
• Switch to the Layout Tab and adjust your lighting setup.
• Add an Area Light or Point Light to focus illumination on the most important part of your diagram. Experiment with light color and intensity to create contrast.
8. Preview Your Effects
• Press Z and choose Rendered View to preview how the glow, blur, and outline effects will look in the final render.
• Tweak the settings in the Shader Editor, Compositing Tab, or with keyframes if necessary.
9. Rendering the Enhanced Diagram
• Once you're happy with your visual effects, go to the Render Properties tab and adjust the resolution, samples, and other settings for a high-quality render.
• Click Render > Render Animation to create your final animated illustration.
10. Save and Export

• After rendering, save your project file, and export your video or image sequence. You can use the Video Editing tab to further refine or add transitions if needed.
• Choose File > Export > Video to finalize your enhanced diagram video.

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Outcome for Day 17

By the end of this session, you’ll have enhanced one of your diagrams with glow, blur, or outline effects, making it visually appealing and ready for educational use.

Source:
ChatGPT

Post 30/30: It is better to understand real-estate, rather than going with the flow

 

(Source: Pixabay)

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, “Right Time To Invest in Real Estate | Buying & Selling Time , Profit & Loss Comparison Tips 2024” on the channel “PROPERTY NAAMA”.

In this video, the host discusses about the issue of our people who used to sell when the prices are in decline and used to purchase when the prices are increasing. They say that at this time, real estate is in a sort of “slum” and at this time, it is imperative to hold the property or buy the property. It will soon increase in prices. Today, when property is at a very low level, people are not purchasing, and when these will go up, people will start purchasing. The host also shares that most often when you say people to do something they don’t do that and vice versa. This issue has always been beneficial for “developers” and real estate agents or consultants. The host also tells that people are always “panicked.” They are fearful of a cry related to “sell it.” Sometimes, panic is also generated, and people find it difficult to find right people and advise. Without panicking, you can become positive, and can start thinking in a good and right manner that is beneficial in real estate business.

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

Sources:

PROPERTY NAAMA  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9HCZrRkAc

Post 19/30: VFX tutorial for Blender – Advanced Particle Effects (Hair Particles)

Objective: Explore the use of hair particles to create realistic effects like fur, hair, or grass.

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Step 1: Open a New Blender Project

• Launch Blender and open a new project.
• Delete the default cube (select it and press X to delete).

Step 2: Add a New Object for Hair Simulation

• Press Shift + A to open the Add Menu.
• Select Mesh > Plane. This plane will serve as the base for your hair or grass particles.
• Scale the plane by pressing S and dragging the mouse to increase its size. You can scale it to a comfortable size that fits your scene (e.g., S + 5).

Step 3: Apply the Hair Particle System

• With the plane selected, go to the Particle Properties panel (right-hand side, icon with a group of dots).
• Click + New to add a new particle system.
• In the Type dropdown, select Hair. Blender will now show hair particles on the plane.

Step 4: Customize Hair Length and Count

• Adjust the length of the hair under the Render section by changing the Hair Length value. A value around 2-5 is a good start, depending on whether you’re simulating grass or fur.
• Change the number of hairs under the Emission section by modifying the Number. For a basic effect, try setting it to around 1000 hairs for a balanced look.

Step 5: Adding Variation to Hair Particles

• To make the hair or grass look more natural, introduce some randomness.
• In the Children section, set the Type to Simple. This will automatically add extra strands around each hair particle.
• Increase the Clump and Roughness sliders to introduce some variability and make the hair or grass less uniform.

Step 6: Styling the Hair Particles

• Switch to Particle Edit Mode by going to the top left of the viewport and choosing Particle Edit from the drop-down list (where it usually says "Object Mode").
• Select the Comb tool on the left toolbar to manually shape and style the hair particles. Click and drag over the hair to "comb" it in the desired direction.
• You can also use the Cut tool to trim the length of certain areas if needed.

Step 7: Shading the Hair Particles

• To add color to the hair or grass, go to the Shading workspace at the top of Blender.
• Select the plane, then in the Material Properties panel, create a new material and apply it to the plane.
• Adjust the Base Color under the Principled BSDF node. For grass, choose a green hue. For fur, select an appropriate color for the look you want.

Step 8: Lighting the Scene

• Switch to the Layout workspace.
• Add a light source by pressing Shift + A, then choose Light > Sun (or another type of light).
• Position the light to ensure it illuminates the hair particles, casting natural-looking shadows.

Step 9: Render Your Hair Particle Scene

• Set up a camera by pressing Shift + A and choosing Camera. Press 0 on the numpad to view from the camera's perspective. Adjust the camera’s position and angle to frame the scene well.
• Once ready, go to the Render Properties tab, ensure your settings are good for rendering, and click Render Image (or press F12).

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Shareable Visual: Your rendered image should feature realistic hair particles on the plane, resembling either fur or grass depending on the length and styling.

Tips:

• You can experiment with the Hair Dynamics section for even more realism, like adding wind effects.
• Play with various material properties to make the hair reflect light realistically, especially for shiny fur.

This day’s practice helps you understand how particle systems work and how to manipulate them for various effects like hair, fur, or grass, giving you a deeper grasp of Blender's particle effects.

Source:
ChatGPT