I never really use smart UV project myself, but yeah I can reproduce what you are saying. The documentation mentions though it is supposed to be used for mechanical things, so a curved surface seems to be already too much for that fairly simplistic algorithm.
I never really found a need to use anything else than marking seams and using unwrap. But I guess if you need something faster, that can sometimes end up being slow.
When I read that in the docs yesterday I groaned out loud - anything hard surface with bevels will most definitely not work with a tool like this, since it'll just cut a seam somewhere in the bevel even when the angle of its faces shouldn't allow for it. I was hoping this could speed things up for certain shapes, but I suppose it all comes down to doing it the manual way...
Hey everyone, im building a rig and i have some shape keys driven from bone rotation, and all works great until i turn IK on and for some reason the bone rotation data is no longer shown in Euler I reaaaally need this data. I have already tried crutching by adding additional bone with copy rotation constraint but it also shows nothing.
Hi two quick questions regarding uv editor, can I make lines of uv edges thinner? I searched in preferences but couldn't find anything. Second one is about uv editor in separate window. So I don't like to split my viewport in half and I undock uv editor window and move it to second monitor. This works great but the problem is that uv editor window is somehow totally separate from main Blender window and I need always first click on window to make it active and then do what I want to. This is painful when I am using uv sync and move between 3d viewport and uv editor window. I wonder if there is a way to keep both windows active all the time?
@Fletcher for the first I would look in the theme options. If it exists, it is likely in there.
The second is not a problem of Blender, but a problem of your operating system's window manager. What you are looking for is a focus on hover/mouseover. On Windows, you can find that in the accessibility settings (https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/47361-autofocus-window-mouse-hover.html). On Linux there are multiple window managers that do that out of the box (i3 for example) and most can be made to behave like that. On Mac I have no idea. But in all cases this will be a system wide setting and not only affect Blender.
@f1r3w4rr10r yep, theme options were first to look but I didn't find anything usefull there.
Focus on hover kind of works but I need to wait a second to windows became active and already I activated my uv window when I didn't want to (Discord were above uv editor and when I was typing message cursor went off Discord window and activated uv editor) so it's not perfect solution. And I think it is pretty much Blender thing that undocked window behave like that. Other softwares like Substance Painter/Designer or Maya does not have any issues with undocked windows. So I'll keep searching on that topic. Still thanks for help! Edit: same thing when I click on any part of any undocked window of SUbstance Painter/Designer/Maya/Cinema4d etc it brings up all of particular software windows. When I click on blenders undocked window the main window is not being brought up so I need to activate it separately. This is an issue for me as I cannot effectively use my multi monitor setup which is shame.
@Fletcher For the uv window you can you can generate a fill image to get rid of the lines, alternatively you can create your own uv grid image and import it. https://imgur.com/i1wIBW2
Task: I need to create a large ball of yarn/wool, the challenge being the creation of the single curve going around a sphere. I'd really like to avoid having to place individual curve points around a sphere, I could just create a curve, and extrude that around a sphere manually by clicking, placing each point/vertex onto the sphere with face snapping activated.
That'd take forever though. Is there some method/ addon to create a single curve going round the surface of a sphere in random directions a specified number of times? Just going around the surface will be enough, the volume of the sphere does not need to be filled. I would be thankful for ideas on how to go about this.
Task: I need to create a large ball of yarn/wool, the challenge being the creation of the single curve going around a sphere. I'd really like to avoid having to place individual curve points around a sphere, I could just create a curve, and extrude that around a sphere manually by clicking, placing each point/vertex onto the sphere with face snapping activated.
That'd take forever though. Is there some method/ addon to create a single curve going round the surface of a sphere in random directions a specified number of times? Just going around the surface will be enough, the volume of the sphere does not need to be filled. I would be thankful for ideas on how to go about this.
Activate the add-on "add curve Extra objects"
In object mode you will find a spline generator menu in the N panel create tab.
The spirofit or bounce spline function will help you to create spline around an object with many parameters.
I saw an interesting discussion on a facebook group today about commercial addons for blender. Blender's license explicitly states "Sharing Blender or Blender add-ons or scripts is always OK and not consider piracy." So if I had Hard Ops, I can really just give to anyone I want?
I wouldn't do this, I think any developer should be able to get money out of their creation but I'm simply curious.
I saw an interesting discussion on a facebook group today about commercial addons for blender. Blender's license explicitly states "Sharing Blender or Blender add-ons or scripts is always OK and not consider piracy." So if I had Hard Ops, I can really just give to anyone I want?
I wouldn't do this, I think any developer should be able to get money out of their creation but I'm simply curious.
An add-on using the API of a GNU GPL licensed software is considered a derived work, thus must be licensed under the same terms Blender uses. If you look into an add-on's source code you'll notice most of them include the GNU license block and the ones who don't are just being lax.
That makes the answer "Yes" and "No". The Blender-derived source code can be freely distributed under the license's condition—being an asshole isn't illegal—, but the assets can't. Objs, blend files, independent scripts and images are all assets, and those can be licensed whatever way the creator wishes. Additionally, keep in mind that copyright exists independently from the license used.
"I saw an interesting discussion on a facebook ..." "... but I'm simply curious."
Thankfully enough, just because someone writes something on facebook doesn't mean that it's true ... What did the Blender Foundation tell you when you asked them the question ?
@pior to clarify, that bit I posted in quotations is straight off blenders website but I didn’t ask them since I don’t plan on distributing any kind of scripts, free or commercial, at all.
Heya - That's not my point. By wondering about facebook posts by random people and also by not linking to the actual source of the statement, you are greatly increasing the chances of confusion on the topic. It's now easier than ever to get access to information, so why not making the small effort of contacting the BF to get *actual* clarification on what you are wondering about ? Also who knows if by "Blender Add-ons" they mean the ones shipping with the app by default, or third-party ones.
My point overall is that by just "discussing" things (posting on FB, forum threads, and so on) without any solid statement from the actual source, no one really gets any wiser since everything can lead to misinterpretation. So why not go to the source instead, and *then* share your findings ?
An add-on using the API of a GNU GPL licensed software is considered a derived work, thus must be licensed under the same terms Blender uses. If you look into an add-on's source code you'll notice most of them include the GNU license block and the ones who don't are just being lax.
The issue of whether Blender add-ons(or any other GPL work) constitute a derivative work is not as clear-cut as you make it out to be. Some argue that dynamically linked libraries are okay, as long as they don't contain source code from the original work. Some would say it doesn't even matter, and that things like plugins are not necessarily derivative of the original code- thus do not have to be GPL. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Linking_and_derived_works
Task: I need to create a large ball of yarn/wool, the challenge being the creation of the single curve going around a sphere. I'd really like to avoid having to place individual curve points around a sphere, I could just create a curve, and extrude that around a sphere manually by clicking, placing each point/vertex onto the sphere with face snapping activated.
That'd take forever though. Is there some method/ addon to create a single curve going round the surface of a sphere in random directions a specified number of times? Just going around the surface will be enough, the volume of the sphere does not need to be filled. I would be thankful for ideas on how to go about this.
Activate the add-on "add curve Extra objects"
In object mode you will find a spline generator menu in the N panel create tab.
The spirofit or bounce spline function will help you to create spline around an object with many parameters.
Heya - That's not my point. By wondering about facebook posts by random people and also by not linking to the actual source of the statement, you are greatly increasing the chances of confusion on the topic. It's now easier than ever to get access to information, so why not making the small effort of contacting the BF to get *actual* clarification on what you are wondering about ? Also who knows if by "Blender Add-ons" they mean the ones shipping with the app by default, or third-party ones.
My point overall is that by just "discussing" things (posting on FB, forum threads, and so on) without any solid statement from the actual source, no one really gets any wiser since everything can lead to misinterpretation. So why not go to the source instead, and *then* share your findings ?
There's no need to be like that. All the sources I found from Blender and google were very vague and as Birb and Jrocket have stated, the issue is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. I'm sorry that I didn't put enough effort for your liking into a question. I'll pm you with any questions to get your personal approval before I post again.
An add-on using the API of a GNU GPL licensed software is considered a derived work, thus must be licensed under the same terms Blender uses. If you look into an add-on's source code you'll notice most of them include the GNU license block and the ones who don't are just being lax.
The issue of whether Blender add-ons(or any other GPL work) constitute a derivative work is not as clear-cut as you make it out to be. Some argue that dynamically linked libraries are okay, as long as they don't contain source code from the original work. Some would say it doesn't even matter, and that things like plugins are not necessarily derivative of the original code- thus do not have to be GPL. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Linking_and_derived_works
That's all I have to say as further engaging in this discussion would be to argue hypothetical situations and conflicting point of views, something I have zero intention of doing. Not saying that you want, it's just that this sort of discussion tends to drag on forever and is pointless given it has no legal weight until it hits a court.
@melviso Im not sure which part of the video you are referencing but maybe you are mistaking the cavity shading for a bevel? Or it could be the bevel modifier.
If you mean the interactive beveling tool its just ctrl+B on blender default keymap. It's the legacy/hotkey tool instead of the toolbar one
I have an array of objects which looks really computer generated/ evenly spaced out. I'd like to control/ randomize the rotation/ transform offset in X/Y/Z of each individual object in that array, so it looks more natural. Is there an easy way to do that?
I could assign e.g. a displace modifier, and then e.g. use a 'cloud' texture to displace the objects by a small amount, but control is limited, and I can't control rotation of the objects at all.
@wilson66 I recommend to use a particle system for anything array-like that needs randomization. You can use an array as emitter, If you need a specific pattern. Spawning one particle per vertex or face gives you the necessary control.
Has anyone here ever tried using Blender 2.8 for huge scenes with like 500 8k textures e.t.c? If so, how was the performance and render time and management?
@melviso is just scaling the UVs down not an option? What are you trying to achieve? By design UVs loop around beyond 1 in pretty much all of 3D. If you want to split it across more textures, either use multiple materials/textures or UDIM. Although I don't know what the UDIM support in Blender is like at the moment.
Oh snap, Preserve UVs is here !!! And it works pretty much flawlessly.
This makes lowpoly art soooo much more fun and pleasurable to work on, as it basically allows to texture and model non-linearly, at the same time. This one was long overdue really ...
That is pretty cool indeed! Now if we could please get edge/face constraints added too then I'd officially be out of things I still miss from Autodesk land.
Currently it just has one thing I don't really like: It will behave as before, if the snap would go off-screen, in order to make the jumps not as jarring and not to confuse the user. I'd rather have it snap in all cases, or at least be able to turn the limitation off.
@f1r3w4rr10r yeah I saw those gifs but that seems to relate only to snapping if I understood it correctly? The edge/face constraints are all about sliding component selections across surfaces, restricted only by topology or volume. Also using proportional edits and UV correction.
Vertex slide in Blender is like the most basic implementation of what Max/Maya have in this regard but it only covers one use case.
Does anyone know if it's possible to see Blender thumbnails in win explorer?
They should appear when saving files with Save Preview Thumbnails enabled. This setting doesn't appear in the save dialog, it's currently located in Preferences > Save & Load. Here are the most up-to-date pages form the manual about it (12).
@gnoop : all the answers you need on that are on page 121 of this very thread
oh, thanks pior Looks like nothing helps in my case although. Tried that blender -r many times before and one more time again . Never worked. And I always had this folder view option "Always show icons, never thumbnails" off .
Hey everyone, im building a rig and i have some shape keys driven from bone rotation, and all works great until i turn IK on and for some reason the bone rotation data is no longer shown in Euler
[image]
I reaaaally need this data. I have already tried crutching by adding additional bone with copy rotation constraint but it also shows nothing.
Help pls
@Polyboi I don't know if you've already found a solution (your post is from June 29th), but those sliders aren't showing the final transform of the object, or bone in this case. They show the user transforms -- a base transformation set by the user (aka the artist).
If you're using a constraint, the transform of an object does not show up on the transform slider in that sidebar. But if you set a Transform Channel driver, it should always use the final composite transform of the object, so I don't know why your driver isn't working, it might be because of some other problem.
Anybody use "magic UV' addon ? I think it comes as one with normal blender installation but nothing seems working there. I am curious about "circle" ,"Strighten", "smooth" buttons .
How do the UV tools in standard Blender compare to 3DS Max's UV tools? They seem quite limited from what i have seen? I couldn't even find a 'relax' option unless it is hidden somewhere?
guitarguy00 What's better in Modo? I tried UVing there last year and haven't found any real advantages . Unless I missed something. Packmaster does much better packing imo.
Max "relax" option is totally redundant in Blender imo. Never feel a need for it. But my UV workflow usually almost automatic :
1 set auto smooth , apply scale and edge split modifier
2 split cylinders side edge manually
2 U button with conformal option or angle one depending on subject with correct aspect off
3. run packmaster
4 merge split vertex back.
Nothing to relax usually after . Rarely "stright" button from textools and live UV with pins.
Wish I'd know Python scripting, Would make it one button solution.
Maya's Nightshade does look greatly superior although from a few you-tube videos I saw. As of MAx it's UV is just a try to copy Blender one . A successful one finally
@gnoop : I have to agree, I too find the new collections to be a big step back. They "make sense" in theory , but in practice the old system was imho way more elegant... This might help : https://blendermarket.com/products/collection-grid
• Unrelated : is there a way to somehow convert Face Set data into something that can be accessed outside of sculpt mode ? Ultimately my end goal/need is to convert the boundary of Face Sets to edges marked as hard, but any other path would help (like creating vertex groups, or being able to select by face set, or even splitting by face set). Basically anything that would allow to access this data from regular editing modes.
• Also : in sculpt mode, wasn't there an option at some point to set the sculpt cursor (green circle) as always facing the screen ? As opposed to being oriented to the surface. Basically just like pre-2.8, which imho is much less distracting ...
@gnoop To simply disable the weird hiding behavior with the number keys, go to your keymap settings, then "3D View" -> "Object Mode" -> "Object Mode (Global)" and uncheck the ten mappings, mapped to the number keys.
Replies
For anyone interested, a user updated the custom build of Blender that selects backfaces without having to toggle on XRay. It's now finally using the 2.83 LTS release
The second is not a problem of Blender, but a problem of your operating system's window manager. What you are looking for is a focus on hover/mouseover.
On Windows, you can find that in the accessibility settings (https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/47361-autofocus-window-mouse-hover.html). On Linux there are multiple window managers that do that out of the box (i3 for example) and most can be made to behave like that. On Mac I have no idea. But in all cases this will be a system wide setting and not only affect Blender.
Focus on hover kind of works but I need to wait a second to windows became active and already I activated my uv window when I didn't want to (Discord were above uv editor and when I was typing message cursor went off Discord window and activated uv editor) so it's not perfect solution. And I think it is pretty much Blender thing that undocked window behave like that. Other softwares like Substance Painter/Designer or Maya does not have any issues with undocked windows. So I'll keep searching on that topic. Still thanks for help!
Edit: same thing when I click on any part of any undocked window of SUbstance Painter/Designer/Maya/Cinema4d etc it brings up all of particular software windows. When I click on blenders undocked window the main window is not being brought up so I need to activate it separately. This is an issue for me as I cannot effectively use my multi monitor setup which is shame.
That'd take forever though. Is there some method/ addon to create a single curve going round the surface of a sphere in random directions a specified number of times? Just going around the surface will be enough, the volume of the sphere does not need to be filled. I would be thankful for ideas on how to go about this.
I wouldn't do this, I think any developer should be able to get money out of their creation but I'm simply curious.
That makes the answer "Yes" and "No". The Blender-derived source code can be freely distributed under the license's condition—being an asshole isn't illegal—, but the assets can't. Objs, blend files, independent scripts and images are all assets, and those can be licensed whatever way the creator wishes. Additionally, keep in mind that copyright exists independently from the license used.
"... but I'm simply curious."
Thankfully enough, just because someone writes something on facebook doesn't mean that it's true ...
What did the Blender Foundation tell you when you asked them the question ?
@pior to clarify, that bit I posted in quotations is straight off blenders website but I didn’t ask them since I don’t plan on distributing any kind of scripts, free or commercial, at all.
That's not my point. By wondering about facebook posts by random people and also by not linking to the actual source of the statement, you are greatly increasing the chances of confusion on the topic. It's now easier than ever to get access to information, so why not making the small effort of contacting the BF to get *actual* clarification on what you are wondering about ? Also who knows if by "Blender Add-ons" they mean the ones shipping with the app by default, or third-party ones.
My point overall is that by just "discussing" things (posting on FB, forum threads, and so on) without any solid statement from the actual source, no one really gets any wiser since everything can lead to misinterpretation. So why not go to the source instead, and *then* share your findings ?
That's all I have to say as further engaging in this discussion would be to argue hypothetical situations and conflicting point of views, something I have zero intention of doing. Not saying that you want, it's just that this sort of discussion tends to drag on forever and is pointless given it has no legal weight until it hits a court.
Does anyone know how they are getting the bevel edges on the fly as the asset is being created?
If you mean the interactive beveling tool its just ctrl+B on blender default keymap. It's the legacy/hotkey tool instead of the toolbar one
I could assign e.g. a displace modifier, and then e.g. use a 'cloud' texture to displace the objects by a small amount, but control is limited, and I can't control rotation of the objects at all.
I recommend to use a particle system for anything array-like that needs randomization.
You can use an array as emitter, If you need a specific pattern. Spawning one particle per vertex or face gives you the necessary control.
Has anyone here ever tried using Blender 2.8 for huge scenes with like 500 8k textures e.t.c? If so, how was the performance and render time and management?
This makes lowpoly art soooo much more fun and pleasurable to work on, as it basically allows to texture and model non-linearly, at the same time. This one was long overdue really ...
This will help with manual LOD'ing for sure!
oh, thanks pior Looks like nothing helps in my case although. Tried that blender -r many times before and one more time again . Never worked. And I always had this folder view option "Always show icons, never thumbnails" off .
Has anyone had this issue with Textools baking out grey flat color for diffuse baking? Any idea what might be causing this issue?
https://blendermarket.com/products/collection-grid
• Unrelated : is there a way to somehow convert Face Set data into something that can be accessed outside of sculpt mode ? Ultimately my end goal/need is to convert the boundary of Face Sets to edges marked as hard, but any other path would help (like creating vertex groups, or being able to select by face set, or even splitting by face set). Basically anything that would allow to access this data from regular editing modes.
• Also : in sculpt mode, wasn't there an option at some point to set the sculpt cursor (green circle) as always facing the screen ? As opposed to being oriented to the surface. Basically just like pre-2.8, which imho is much less distracting ...