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Blender 2.47

Cross-platform 3D design tool

Chris Wiles, vnunet.com 25 Aug 2008

Blender is an integrated suite of tools enabling the creation of a broad range of 3D content with the singular benefits of cross-platform operability and a small file size, making it a transportable application.

Aimed at media professionals and artists, Blender can be used to create 3D visualisations, stills as well as broadcast and cinema quality video, while the incorporation of a real-time 3D engine allows for the creation of 3D interactive content for stand-alone playback.

Blender used to be developed commercially, by the company 'Not a Number' (NaN), however it is now is continued as freeware/opensource and with the source code available under the GNU GPL license.

Key Features:

• Fully integrated creation suite, offering a broad range of essential tools for the creation of 3D content, including modeling, uv-mapping, texturing, rigging, weighting, animation, particle and other simulation, scripting, rendering, compositing, post-production, and game creation;
• Cross platform, with OpenGL uniform GUI on all platforms, ready to use for all versions of Windows (98, NT, 2000, XP), Linux, OS X, FreeBSD, Irix, Sun and numerous other operating systems;
• High quality 3D architecture enabling fast and efficient creation work-flow;
• Free support channels via http://www.blender3d.org;
• More than 250,000 people worldwide user community;
• Small executable size, for easy distribution

Note that Mac OS X and Linux versions of Blender can be obtained from the Blender download page.

www.pcw.co.uk/2160549
This article was printed from the Personal Computer World web site
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