Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

sadeq68 · Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 273 Location: Sydney, Australia

Just a question for the video gurus here...

Does anyone use Blender here for Shutterstock (or other footage sites like P5 etc.) for creating 3D animations etc.?

I have downloaded it, but since it is a free tool, the very fact that it is complex does not bother me at this stage (will do when I will hit a brick wall -0 I am sure). But before that, I just want to know - does anyone use it for creating 3D footages that are sold here or elsewhere?

Many thanks for your feedback.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

I posted a similar question/comment a couple of years ago. Someone (I can't remember who) said they used for some 3d animations here so it can be done. Also, as far as learning it, there are quite a few good tutorials on Creative Cow (www.creativecow.com) and if you're willing to pay, there's a series of the basics of Blender on www.lynda.com. The Blender site has some tutorials, too but I've been much more impressed with the ones on CC. Hope that helps.

woodyone · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 430 Location: Here

I thought blender was more a modelling tool - downloaded and installed also but am sorta getting he hang of wings so haven't tried too hard. Animations are pretty easy to produce with Daz and Vue - thinking of trying to produce something stock worthy but afraid of the render times :(

johann · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 29

I've seen some really good stuff done in Blender but apparently it's quite a different way of working in 3D than the more popular paid for apps. Personally I use Maya because I was trained in it and I have a license which I purchased when I still ran a vfx studio. The Autodesk range of apps are really good and ridiculously priced but there are less expensive 3D tools out there like Cinema 4D that can give good results. One often find oneself buying plugins tho and it can get expensive.

3D is a very steep learning curve. Give yourself at least two years to become really proficient. They say it takes 2 years to become a decent character animator so that doesn't even touch on lighting, shading, matchmoving and things like particles and volumetrics.

mateimiruna · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 730

I am using Blender on a regular basis both for 3d and video editing. It is a great tool that easily competes with thousands dollars applications. For those that do not know: yes, Blender has a fully integrated NLE. Download one of the latest builds from graphicall.org that suits your OS and needs. Important: on Linux Blender is 25 - 44 % faster than on any other OS. For this summer, the developers plan to further develop and integrate functions similar to AE and to improve the VSE.

mateimiruna · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 730

johann · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 29

Thanks for that. I'm probably going on here-say from several versions ago. The Maya upgrades costs a fortune so this is likely a good route to go.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure