Cooking Car

Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook Review

Blender has been getting great attention for quite sometime now. As more and more features are added into this wonderful 3D program, 3D designers are really noticing Blender’s features.

One of Blender’s most notable features would be how it handles materials and textures. It’s for sure not modo 501, but it can do some pretty amazing things.

In Packt Publishing’s recent book, Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook, as the title suggests, it covers all kinds of ways on how to create lifelike Blender objects with such a good deal of reality to them.

How about we go ahead and dive straight into this review!

 

My Background in Blender

I’ve started using Blender nearly a year ago. When I started using it, I was a little bit skeptical at first at how complicated it looked. As I got more and more into 3D art recently, I’ve started to get the hang of Blender.

I’m by far an expert on 3D design, but I’m not completely new to the 3D design world either. I’ve used tools like AutoCAD, Solidworks, and even Pro Engineer for my 3D work. I’m a huge AutoCAD fan, but after seeing what Blender can do with all of its materials and textures, I’m starting to really have a large interest in Blender.

 

What the Book Covers

Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook is more than anything a tutorial/reference book. The same chapter structure runs throughout the book and I can see a 3D designer buying Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook for something to have next to them when neeed.

Colin Litster really did an incredible job on outlining this book. I really have to give him a hand for that. But like always, let’s see what he wrote about:

• Creating natural materials like limestone, quartz, and sea rocks
• Creating man-made materians like slate roofs, metals, copper with oxidation weathering
• Animated materials like a barbor pole, TV screen, burning sheet of paper
• A chapter on how to manage Blender materials (I personally found this to be very useful)
• Creating difficult man-made materials like rust on iron, reflective surfaces, polished metals, simulating dirt and grime
• UV mapping and sub surface scattering (this was a very interesting chapter! A must-read for all 3D artists)
• Painting and modifying image textures
• Special effects like smoke, flamess, looping fire and smoke sequences, and adding complete FX
• And of course more is included in every chapter!

It really may not sound like a lot, but throughout a good portion of the book, you’re just following steps while he guides you through eighty realistic Blender objects!

 

What I Really Enjoyed

For the most part, I really enjoyed Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook. There are so many activities (now it’s starting to sound like school) to complete in Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook, that you’ll be entertained for a while. Because I’m personally not all to great at 3D modeling, having all of the models provided for me was really nice to see!

After I downloaded all of the files associated with Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook, I started diving into the files and following along with the book. Colin gave us the final product and the files he started from; this makes it really easy to see all of the settings he applied.

The variety is one other thing that I really enjoyed about Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook. You go from creating all types of rocks to metals, barbor poles, burning flames, UV mapping (you gotta see that, it’s awesome), and even making animations with complete FX. Colin didn’t need to cover half of the stuff he did, but having over eighty great examples in just this fairly tiny 312 page books is unbelievable.

 

What I Disliked

I’ve warned you before, but because Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook is more of a tutorial book, hence the term ‘cookbook’ in the title, it is a tad bit on the boring side only if you read it and don’t follow along. The files you’re supposed to download will make following along with the book much more enjoyable. I started reading Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook, and about halfway through the chapter, I was very bored because of all of the directions.

If there’s one thing I can recommend is if you decide to pick up Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook, make sure you follow along and play around with the materials and textures! Maybe after learning how to make a UV map of someone else’s face, do it to your own face! Have some fun with it; this book wasn’t written for a basic read, it was written to follow along and learn something!

 

Overall

I really enjoyed Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook after spending some time with all of the provided files. I have to say this right now, I’ve learned a lot. I’m not too experienced in Blender and by following along and reading everything Colin has written made me one hundred times more knowledgable about textures than I was before.

Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook doesn’t cover too much of ‘why’ your doing why you’re doing what you do. The level of this book is geared towards the ones who are experienced Blender 3D artists. I think if he made it so that the newbies can read it easily and understand why they’re doing what they do, I would of enjoyed Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook much more. I’ve used Google for the things I did not understand and that helped quite a bit. If he would of thrown in one extra sentence in every step of why you’re doing what’s listed, I think this would of been a much better of a read.

I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it, trust me, I really did, I’m saying that when I read the description on Packt’s website, they mentioned that Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook was indeed for beginners. As I found it very easy to follow along, I wasn’t all too certain on why I was doing that all of the time.

Overall, Blender 2.5 Materials and Textures Cookbook is a wonderful book on creating real-life textures. I would by far recommend this book to anyone, but remember, if you’re a bit new with Blender, be aware that you might need to Google a few things to understand what you’re doing.

 

About the Author

Throughout my whole life, Ive always been so fascinated with technology. Quite some time ago, I started to pick up aspects on web development (HTML & CSS). After my intro to development with web-dev, I started to go into real programming. Right now, you can catch me working with Objective C for making apps for the iPhone! In other words, Im a straight up hardcore developer and graphic designer. I also founded the technology blog Tech Cores (http://techcores.com).

Cookbook Design Recipes – Video Trailer

Fruit Bouquets Delicious Designs Cookbook CQ3621 $16.56

VICTORIAN ANTIQUE ARCHITECTURE HOUSE PLANS INTERIOR DESIGN DOMESTIC COOKBOOK $450.00

*ALEXANDRIA VA 1982 VINTAGE *DESIGNS FOR COOKING RARE COOK BOOK by CAROLYN FITCH $9.95

INTERIOR DESIGN SOCIETY VINTAGE c1980s *IL COOK BOOK *ILLINOIS MEMBERS *CHEZ MOI $9.95

Vintage Ateco Simplified Cake Decorating Book Design $14.20

Passover by Design Kosher Cookbook by Susie Fishbein $25.50

Designer Cards & Tags with K & Company-Tracey Niehues $3.95

SIMPLY THE BEST RECIPES BY DESIGN Indiana Cookbook Cook Book HC $6.92

Southern Living Magazines Lot Of 4 Including One-Dish Meal Special Cookbook $3.99

I Hate RED, You’re FIRED! by WILLIAMS W. Stubbs COLORFUL Life INTERIOR Designer $7.95

The Smart Approach to Kitchen Design by Susan Maney … $9.99

COLOR DETAILS AND DESIGN T TRUCCO 1998 $7.99

Book in Russian – “A Book for Recipes and Cooking Notes” – choose cover design! $24.04

Cookie Bouquets Delicious Designs Cookbook CQ3623 $15.43

RECIPE KEEPER/BINDER – PURPLE AND GREEN FLOWER DESIGN BY MUDLARK $14.99

DELUXE RECIPE KEEPER/BINDER – DEBBIE MUMM HOME COOKING DESIGN BY NEW SEASONS $14.99

RECIPE KEEPER/BINDER – LEMON DESIGN BY MUDLARK $14.99

RECIPE KEEPER/BINDER – ROSE DESIGN BY MUDLARK $14.99

The Cake Decorator’s Motif Bible: 150 Fabulous Fondant Designs With… $15.00

Teresa Collins Designs HAUTE CUISINE Retired $1.00

Wedding Designs for Cakes $14.99

Graphic Design Cookbook: Mix & Match Recipes for Faster Better Layouts Book 2001 $6.95

Vintage Book Signed First Edition Incredible Edibles WOW Bizarre Food Design $6.99

Graphic Design Cookbook: Mix and Match Recipes for Faster, Better Layouts, Leona $6.89

Pig design on top of a metal cookbook easel light green 13×13 great item $12.95

Graphic Design Cookbook: Mix and Match Recipes for Faster, Better Lay 0877015694 $4.97

Rare 1st edition Art Deco Continental Cookbook fantastic design binding 1936 $7.89

1962 Folk Art Designer Peter Hunt Cape Cod Cook Book Cookbook Spiral Softcover $6.95

Luther Travis 2 Tea Towels 27 1/2 X 14 3/4- Cookbook Fruits Flowers Design-New $4.50

4 Vintage Christmas Tally Tallies UNUSED & 2 designs $5.99

CR Gibson QP-12 Small Recipe Book Pocket Page Refill $4.00 Set of 20 transparent acid-free and PVC-free refill pocket pages for C.R. Gibson Recipe Organizers and Recipe Memory Books. Each page holds two 4 x 6 inch recipe cards….

Breville EW30XL Electric Gourmet Wok $85.00 The Breville gourmet wok updates the electric wok design in every detail. For starters, its 1500-watt butterfly element is recessed around the base to create a heat zone over the entire surface–excellent conditions for quick searing and stir-frying. The variable heat probe includes 14 settings plus “high sear” for precise control, and the 14-inch-diameter die-cast wok bowl is roomy enough to hand…

Wilton Pops Sweets on a Stick Book, Softcover $7.50 Add color, fun and sweetness to everyday and every occasion with Wilton POPS. Sweets on a Stick publication, soft cover; 112 pages….

Baker’s Small Index Box 34001SM Handmade recipe box ! Features: -Soft flannel tie bag.-Additional recipe cards available for all recipe boxes (SKU # LXS1543).-Certificate of authenticity.-Hold 3” x 5” cards. Specifications: -30 Matching recipe cards and 6 dividers. Dimensions: -Overall Dimensions: 6.25” H x 4.25” W x 4” D….

Ultimate Cookbook Storage Box in Terra Customize: Yes $91.99 15002UT+ Customize: Yes Use this storage box to hold take-out menusThis decorative storage box is great for keeping all your takeout menus and restaurant cards for those who prefer to call in dinner rather than cook. With solid construction, brass hinges and posts, this storage box really is heirloom quality. Each is hand-signed and numbered by the artist. This truly is art with a function. Person…

Recipe Layout – 48H x 48W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $77.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Forks Over Knives Presents The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn $12.44 This follow-up to the documentary “Forks Over Knives” follows former fireman, author, and food expert Rip Esselstyn as he teaches two families how to take control of their health through maintaining a proper diet. Presenting tips on smart shopping and nutrition as well as cooking lessons, Esselstyn shows the families–and you–what to do in order to eat and feel better. 52 min. Widescreen (Enhance…

The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One $11.84 The conceit of Bravo’s The Real Housewives franchise is to showcase women who make the fictional characters on ABC’s Desperate Housewives seem like amateurs. And in that sense, The Real Housewives of New Jersey is successful. The women certainly are colorful, but as interesting? No. Still, it’s easy to see why this series is popular. The women are pretty enough, plenty catty, and some are even dow…

Jacques Pepin: The Essential Pepin $20.74 French-born culinary icon Jacques Pepin looks back on his long and distinguished career and shares more than 120 of his best-loved recipes–from soda bread, tomatoes maison, and chicken with tarragon butter to brioche, braised beef in red wine, and apricot and pistachio souffle–in this mouthwatering PBS series. All 26 episodes are featured in a three-discs set. 13 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack…

Bookgem Book Holder – iPad Stand, Kindle, Tablet, & eBook Holder $14.95 Why buy a single purpose book holder, or a stand made just for an iPad or Kindle or Nook? The BookGem is the one device that works brilliantly for virtually any paper book or ebook or tablet computer you may have now – or in the future. The BookGem is a revelation to any reader tired of having to constantly hold up their reading material. The patented design is unlike any of the flimsy wire or sim…

Anchor Hocking 98919 Cast Iron Cookbook Holder, Red Rooster Design $25.74 Anchor Hocking 98919 Cast Iron Cookbook Holder, Red Rooster Design

Balthazar Cookbook $24.74 2004 James Beard Award Nominee for Cooking from a Professional Point of View 2004 IACP Award Winner for Design Award 2004 IACP Award Nominee for First Book: Julia Child Award Magnificent classic French brasserie recipes from one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. The Balthazar Cookbook is already creating a buzz among food lovers and critics as the first major French cookbook since Patricia Wells’s Paris Cookbook. Started by Keith McNally in 1997, Balthazar quickly became a New York hot spot, famed for its star-studded clientele, its lively, friendly atmosphere, and its superbly prepared versions of the comfort foods served up in Parisian brasseries. Beautifully designed and enhanced with glorious full-color and black-and-white photographs, The Balthazar Cookbook captures the restaurant’s incomparable style and offers more than 100 recipes fro its signature dishes. The recipes, meticulously translated for the home cook by McNally and Balthazar’s chefs de cuisine, range from such mouth-watering starters as Onion Soup Gratinee and Goat Cheese Tart to Moules a la Mariniere, Bouillabaisse, and other seafood classics, as well as hearty dishes like Steak au Poivre and Cassoulet. Advice on techniques and suggested accompaniments, plus delightful insider tidbits, round out an extraordinary look at the secrets behind Balthazar’s amazing success.

Scroll™ Cookbook Holder by Spectrum® $7.99 When cooking a recipe for the first time, you need to follow the instructions to the T. This is where the Scroll Cookbook Holder by Spectrum comes in handy. The kitchen cookbook holder keeps the cookbook open when you are cooking any new recipe. This kitchen cookbook holder has an attractive swirl design that makes sure that the pages don�t flutter. The cookbook stand is designed to stand firmly on the kitchen countertop, which adds to the convenience when cooking. This countertop cookbook holder has been electrostatically painted in black that results in an elegant and durable finish. This cookbook stand blends well with any kitchen d�cor.Features: • Electrostically painted black metal for long lasting finish • Decorative swirl holds cookbook open • Stands on countertopSize: 6 5/8″tall x 9″wide x 4 1/2″deep

Access Cookbook $22.09 Not a reference book, and not a tutorial either, the new second edition of the highly regarded Access Cookbook is an uncommonly useful collection of solutions to problems that Access users and developers are likely to face as they attempt to build increasingly complex applications. Although using any single "recipe" in the book will more than pay back the cost of the book in terms of both hours saved and frustration thwarted, Access Cookbook, Second Edition is much more than a handy assortment of cut-and-paste code. Each of the "recipes" examine a particular problem–problems that commonly occur when you push the upper limits of Access, or ones that are likely to trip up a developer attempting to design a more elegant Access application–even some things you never knew Access could do. The authors then, in a clear, accessible, step-by-step style, present the problems’ solution. Following each "recipe" are insights on how Access works, potential pitfalls, interesting programming techniques that are used in the solution, and how and why the solution works, so you can adapt the problem-solving techniques to other similar situations. Fully updated for Access 2003, Access Cookbook, Second Edition is also one of the first books to thoroughly explore new support for .NET managed code and XML. All of the practical, real-world examples have been tested for compatibility with Access 2003, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. This updated new edition also covers Access and SharePoint, Access and SmartTags, Access and .NET; and Access and XML. Access power users and programmers at all levels, from the relatively inexperienced to the most sophisticated, will rely on the Access Cookbook for quick solutions to gnarly problems. With a dog-eared copy of Access Cookbook at your side, you can spend your time and energy where it matters most: working on the interesting facets of your Access application, not just the time-consuming ones.

Signed Deen Family Cookbook with Cookbook Holder $42.9 Exclusively ours from Paula Deen! This set offers a savings versus buying these pieces individually. Cookbook Holder This ornamental rooster design cookbook stand holder with antique bronze finish is a perfect accent to any table or countertop, and with the Deen family cookbook you’ll always have great recipes right at your fingertips. The Deen Family Cookbook Nothing is more important to Paula than her family, and nothing makes that big family happier than sitting down to a meal together. In Paula Deen’s The Deen Family Cookbook, Paula and the Deens, Hiers, Groovers, and Orts share their recipes and memories. With more than 140 recipes and dozens of beautiful color photographs, there’s something here for everyone. So invite over all those aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, and treat them to some home cooking, Deen family style. Signed by Paula Deen.

Chrome Cookbook Holder by Spectrum $10.49 When you are cooking, the last thing you need to worry about is keeping your cookbook open to the right page. This sturdy Chrome Cookbook Holder by Spectrum adds style and functionality to your kitchen. The 2 sturdy page holder balls keep your cookbook open while the upright design allows for easy viewing while cooking.Features: • Sturdy chrome construction for extra durability • Upright design for easy viewing while cooking • 2 sturdy page holder balls keep your cookbook open Size: 6 1/4″wide x 5 3/4″deep

Network Design Cookbook: Architecting Cisco Networks $45.21 The Network Design Cookbook is a guide that provides a structured process that you, as a network engineer or a consultant, can use to meet your critical technical objectives while keeping within the parameters of industry best practices. While it primarily deals with Cisco equipment, the Network Design Cookbook lays out a design process that allows for the incorporation of products from other vendors. In this book, you will find valuable resources and tools for constructing the topology and services you need, with stepbystep design assistance for many solutions such as LAN, WAN, Data Center, Internet Edge, Firewall, and Collaboration. The Network Design Cookbook explains not only the importance of designing an ideal network, but also the consequences if the design is not well thought out. This book will be a valuable tool in both learning how to design a network, as well as a reference as you advance in your career. Author: Thomatis, Ccie #6778 Michel Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 438 Publication Date: 2012/01/20 Language: English Dimensions: 11.02 x 8.27 x 0.89 inches

Cheerios Cookbook $6.96 Fun recipes and crafts using America’s bestselling cereal. Cheerios is the most popular cereal in the United States today, and its wholesome goodness and beloved O shape make it a perennial favorite with millions of people of all ages. The Cheerios Cookbook offers creative, kid-friendly ways to use Cheerios in 35 recipes and 10 craft activities that families will love. From PB&J Squares and Choco Chip Mega Muffins to Superhero Shades, the book offers loads of opportunities for together time in the kitchen. Kids from age four to six will love learning to cook with Cheerios, as they crush ’em, roll ’em and mix ’em with confidence. Moms and dads will appreciate the convenience and health benefits of cooking with a low-sugar, low-fat, whole-grain oat cereal that has no artificial flavors or colors, but is high in fiber, vitamin/mineral content and–best of all–fun! The book’s compact size is easy for young hands to hold, and its bright, colorful design makes information clear and simple to find. The full-color interior includes a color photo of every recipe and craft in the book.

Oak Cookbook Holder – Sagaform $29.95 Oak Cookbook Holder design by helene tiedemann Oak cookbook holder, wonderful for the chef in your life! Size: 13 3/4 in. x 10 1/8 in. x 3/8 in. Packed in a giftbox. Helene Tiedemann studied Industrial Design in London, and later Architecture in Stockholm. She is internationally known both for her distinctive furniture and product designs. Her design language shows humane and sensual, as well as highly functional, qualities.

Chef Cookbook Holder by Spectrum® $11.99 This Chef Cookbook Holder by Spectrum is a great addition to any kitchen decor. Whether used as a cookbook holder or mail holder, this metal holder is creative and fun. When not in use, the stand folds down and can easily be stored away. Features: • Made of metal • Chef design • Free standing • Black FinishSize: 8 3/4″ tall x 2 3/4″ deep x 7″ wide

The Lever House Cookbook $8.99 From the unveiling of the innovative Lever House building to the sublimely fresh, modern dishes at the restaurant today, this luxurious cookbook celebrates the food, the architecture, and the design history of a New York landmark. Dan Silverman believes that fresh, sophisticated cuisine neednÂ’t be overly complicated, and all of the more than 125 recipes here prove that the perfect combination of ingredients results in bold new flavors. With vivid photographs of the dishes and modern and archival images of the venue, The Lever House Cookbook is a timeless monument to New York style.

Cookbook Holder – Deluxe Acrylic with Wood Base $31.49 Now you can merrily cook while you read your favorite recipe from your cookbook by nesting your cookbook in the Cookbook Holder by Clear Solutions. Based with native hardwood, protected by an acrylic screen and supported by a stylish black hinge, this cookbook stand isolates the cookbook from the muddle of utensils and other ingredients. The cookbooks are often splattered when cooking or when using the conventional methods of kitchen storage. Get over it and place the open cookbook on this contemporary cookbook holder. A slightly angular lift to the cookbook holders aids better reading. Adjust the recipe book holder to the thickness of the book. Loose recipe pages can also find a stationary position in the cookbook holder. The overall design of this cookbook holder pleasingly blends with the interiors of your kitchen.Size: Base: 1/2″tall x 11 3/4″wide x 5″deep Acrylic Sheet: 9 3/4″tall x 11 3/4″wide

Acrylic Cookbook Holder by US Acrylic $7.99 Have your favorite cookbook accessible and visible with this Acrylic Cookbook Holder by US Acrylic. Made of clear acrylic, this cookbook stand offers strength and lasts longer as it is not susceptible to the daily wear and tear. The clear design of the acrylic cookbook holder compliments any kitchen decor and looks great on the countertop or may be stored in the cabinet. Keep nearby when cooking up your favorite recipesFeatures: • Clear acrylic construction endures years of daily use • Simple design compliments any kitchen decor • Stands by itself to prop up cookbookSize: 9 1/4″tall x 12 1/8″wide x 3 3/8″deep

The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook $9.73 A fun design and tasty treats give this gift book the irresistible Wow! Meow! factor Seventy-eight million cats make themselves at home in the U.S. Following on the paws of the highly successful The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook, this book contains 50 delicious recipes that have earned a seal of approval from cats and veterinarians. Recipes feature easy-to-find ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. Colorful illustrations add a fun feel, while sidebars offer tips on nutrition and cooking techniques. The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook is an ideal gift for any kitty lover.