Class Note: Blender Fundamentals - Creating a 3D Chocolate Chip Cookie

1. Introduction to Blender

• Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation tool for modeling, animation, sculpting, and rendering.
• It is used by both beginners and professionals, and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

2. Getting Started

• Download Blender: Go to Blender’s official website and click the download button.
• Installation: Install like any other app.

Initial Setup

• After launching, close the splash screen by clicking outside the box.
• Preferences Setup:
  • Edit > Preferences > Interface:
    • Adjust Resolution Scale to suit your interface size preference.
  • System > Cycles Render Devices:
    • Select your GPU for faster rendering if available.
  • Memory & Limits:
    • Set Undo Steps to a higher value (e.g., 100) for more flexibility in undoing changes.
  • Save preferences for future projects.

3. Blender Interface Overview

Main Panels

• 3D Viewport: Center area where all creative work happens.
• Toolbar (Left): Contains tools for object manipulation (move, rotate, scale, etc.).
  • Show/hide with T.
• Outliner (Top Right): Scene manager; lists all objects and allows renaming/hiding.
• Properties Panel (Bottom Right): Adjust object properties, materials, modifiers, etc.
• Sidebar (Right of 3D Viewport): Adjust transform properties; toggle with N.

Navigation

• Rotate View: Middle mouse button.
• Pan: Shift + Middle mouse.
• Zoom: Scroll wheel.
• Gizmo: Visual tool for orbit, pan, zoom; can click X/Y/Z for specific views.
• Shortcuts:
  • Numpad 1 (front), 3 (side), 7 (top).

Modes

• Object Mode: Move/scale/rotate objects.
• Edit Mode: Change object geometry (vertices, edges, faces).
• Switch between modes with the dropdown at the top left or by pressing Tab.

4. Adding and Manipulating Objects

Adding Objects

• Toolbar > Add Cube/Cylinder/Cone/Sphere
• Use Shift + A to open Add menu for more objects.

Moving, Rotating, Scaling

• Move Tool: Move objects (shortcut: G for grab).
• Rotate Tool: Rotate objects (shortcut: R).
• Scale Tool: Scale objects (shortcut: S).
• Can constrain transformations to axes using X/Y/Z after invoking the tool.

5. Practice: Building a Cookie Scene

Creating the Cookie Base

1. Add a Cylinder: Hold Shift when scaling for a perfect circle.
2. Scale the Z-axis: Use Scale Tool or shortcut.
3. Smooth Edges: Right-click object > Shade Smooth.
4. Rename: Double-click in Outliner, set name to ‘cookie’.

Adding Chocolate Chips

1. Add a UV Sphere (via Shift + A).
2. Scale and Move: Size and position on the cookie.
3. Shade Smooth: For smoother appearance.
4. Duplicate Chips: Shift + D to duplicate, then move as needed.

Making a Tray

1. Add a Cube: Scale to tray size.
2. Edit Mode (Tab):
   • Select top face.
   • Inset Tool (I): Create smaller face inside.
   • Extrude Tool (E): Lower the face to make a rim.

Arranging Objects

• Move and align the tray and cookie so the cookie sits on the tray.
• Adjust views as needed for precise placement.

6. Applying Materials and Colors

Cookie Material

• Select cookie > Properties > Material (bottom icon) > Add new material.
• Set base color (use eyedropper to match reference image color if desired).
• Switch between Wireframe/Solid/Material Preview/Rendered modes for shading previews.

Chocolate Chips Material

• Select one chip > Add new material > Set dark chocolate color (eyedropper for reference).
• Select all chocolate chips (Shift select) > Ctrl + L > Link Materials to apply color to all.

Tray Material

• Select tray > Add material > Choose tray color.

7. Lighting the Scene

• Default Light: Can delete and add a new one.
• Add Light (Shift + A): Select Area Light.
• Adjust Position, Power, and Temperature:
  • Move above scene, increase power (e.g., 800), set temperature (e.g., 4000K for warmth).
• Position and rotate light for best effect.

8. Rendering Your Image

• Camera View: Press Numpad 0 or click camera icon to enter camera view.
• Adjust camera position using “Lock Camera to View” in the sidebar (N > View).
• Compose the shot, then unlock the camera.
• Render Settings:
  • Properties > Camera icon > Set render engine (Eevee or Cycles).
  • Set device to GPU if available.
• Render Image: Top menu > Render > Render Image (F12 shortcut).
• Save Image: Image > Save As.

9. Wrap Up

• You have created and rendered your first Blender project: a 3D chocolate chip cookie scene with tray and lighting.
• Practice using the tools, shortcuts, and interface features to become more comfortable.

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Let your creativity guide you to further Blender adventures! If you want more tutorials, leave suggestions or questions in the comments and consider subscribing.