Blender Materials: Input Objects

Introduction

In Blender, every material has at least one characteristic. One common characteristic is the color applied to an object. Some other characteristics use numbers or else. Many of the characteristics can be set directly in the Material section of the Properties window. Here is an example:

In the same way, a characteristic can be set in the Node Editor. Here is an example:

To support better flexibility and/or more details in specifying a characteristic or value of a material, Blender provides the ability to add an input to a material.

Practical Learning: Starting the Project

1. Start Blender
2. In the Properties window, click the Object button
3. The default cube on the scene should be selected (if you have doubt, right-click it to select it).
   In the Outliner, click the Restrict Viewport Visibility button (the eye) of Cube to hide it

Practical Learning: Creating a Regular Hill

1. In the Tools window, click Create
2. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Plane
3. In the Object tab of the Properties window, click Plane to select the name
4. Type Oversight and press Enter
5. In the Transform section of the Properties window, change the following values:

   Location - X: -20
   			 Y: 32.5
   		     Z: -.03
   Scale    - X: 7
   	         Y: 7

6. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Object Mode and click Edit Mode
7. Position the mouse in the work area and press W
8. In the menu that appears, click Subdivide
9. In the Subdivide section below the Tools window, set the Number of Cuts to 23
10. On the menu bar of the 3D View, make sure the Vertex Select option is selected.
    Still on the menu bar of the 3D Viiew, click the Proportional Editing button
11. On the Menu that appears, click Enable

    

12. On the plane, right-click the central vertex or one of the middle vertices
13. Press G to set the size of the move
14. Roll the mouse wheel from outside towards you 19 times or until the circle appears as follows:

    

15. Press Z to move the top vertically
16. Type 10 and press Enter:

    

17. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click the Proportional Editing button and click Disable
18. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Edit Mode and click Object Mode
19. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D to copy the hill and press Enter
20. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Provincial
    Location - X: -32
    		     Y: 20
    		     Z: -.1
    Scale    - X: 20
    		     Z:.4

21. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
22. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
23. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:        Cake Off
    Location   - X: -35
    		       Y: 10
    		       Z: -.1
    Rotation   - Z: 30
    Scale      - X: 15
    		       Y: 7.5
                 Z: .25

24. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
25. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
26. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      April Fish
    Location - X: -40
    		     Y: 2
    		     Z: -.3
    Scale    - X: 6
    		     Y: 6
               Z: .2

27. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
28. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
29. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Facial Works
    Location - X: -10
    		     Y: 30
    		     Z: -.03
    Scale    - X: 5
    		     Y: 5
               Z: .5

30. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
31. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
32. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Pitcher
    Location - X: -5
    		     Y: 38
    		     Z: -.03
    Scale    - X: 8
    		     Y: 8
               Z: .65

33. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
34. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
35. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Half Tail
    Location - X: 8
    		     Y: 35
    		     Z: -.01
    Rotation - Z: -30
    Scale    - X: 10
    		     Y: 10
               Z: .5

36. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
37. Position the mouse in the work area, press Shift + D and press Enter
38. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Ascension
    Location - X: 16.5
    		     Y: 40
    		     Z: -.03
    Scale    - X: 5
    		     Y: 5
               Z: .25

    

39. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button (the eye) on the right side of Ascension to hide it
40. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Half Tail to hide it
41. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Pitcher to hide it
42. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Facial Works to hide it
43. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of April Fish to hide it
44. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Cake Off to hide it
45. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Provincial to hide it
46. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Oversight to hide it

Practical Learning: Modeling a Tree

1. On the Tools window, click Create
2. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Cone
3. In the Add Cylinder section of the Tools window, change the following values:

   Vertices:   6
   Radius 1:  .2
   Radius 2:  .15
   Depth:     1
   Location - X: 0
   			 Y: -25
              Z: .45
   Rotation - X: 5
   		     Y: 5
              Z: 90

4. In the Object tab of the Properties, click Cone to select the name
5. Type Classic Tree and press Enter
6. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Object Mode and click Edit Mode
7. Zoom in to see as much as possible of the cylinder and, on the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
8. Move the view so you can see the top face and right-click that top face to select it:

   

9. In the Numeric Pad, press 1 to access the front view
10. Press R to rotate the selected face
11. Press Y to rotate horizontally
12. Type -15 and press Enter
13. Press E to extrude
14. Type .75 and press Enter
15. Press S to resize the face
16. Type .75 and press Enter:

    

17. In the Numeric Pad, press 3 to access the right view
18. Press G to move the face
19. Press Y to move horizonotally
20. Type -.15 and press Enter:

    

21. Press R to rotate the selected face
22. Press X to rotate horizontally
23. Type 15 and press Enter:

    

24. In the Numeric Pad, press 1 to display the front view:

    

25. Press E to extrude
26. Type .75 and press Enter
27. Press G to move the face
28. Press Y to move it horizontally
29. Type .25 and press Enter
30. Press G to move the face
31. Press X to move it horizontally
32. Type .25 and press Enter
33. Press S to resize the face
34. Type .75 and press Enter:

    

In the Numeric Pad, press 3 to access the right view:



35. Press R to rotate the face
36. Press X to rotate horizontally
37. Type -5 and press Enter
38. In the Numeric Pad, press 1 to access the front view:

    

39. Press E to extrude
40. Type 1 and press Enter
41. Press S to resize the face
42. Type .25 and press Enter

    

43. In the Numeric Pad, press 3 to display the right view:

    

44. In the Numeric Pad, press 1 to access the front view
45. Press Ctrl +R and get a cut as the third edge from bottom
46. Click twice to confirm:

    

47. On the Numeric Pad, press 3 to access the right side
48. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
49. Right-click the right side below the newly-created cut:

    

50. Press E to extrude the face
51. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

52. Press G to move the face
53. Press Z to move it vertically
54. Type .5 and press Enter
55. Press S to resize the face
56. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

57. Press E to extrude
58. Type 1 and press Enter
59. Press S to resize the face
60. Type .35 and press Enter:

    

61. Press Ctrl + R to create a cut in the current branch:

    

62. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
63. Move the view so see the top side and right-click the top face in the cut

    

64. Press E to extrude
65. Type .75 and press Enter:

    

66. Press G to move the face
67. Press Y to move it vertically
68. Type .75 and press Enter
69. Press G to move the face
70. Press X to move it vertically
71. Type .3 and press Enter
72. Press S to resize
73. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

74. Use Ctrl + R to create a cut above the second from top:

    

75. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
76. Right-click the face on the left side below the newly-created cut:

    

77. Press E to extrude the face
78. Type 1.25 and press Enter:

    

79. Press G to move the face
80. Press Z to move the face vertically
81. Type .5 and press enter
82. Press S to resize
83. Type .25 and press Enter:

    

84. Press Press Ctrl + R and create a cut as follows:

    

85. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
86. In the Numeric Pad, press 3 to access te right view
87. Right-click the face on the right side below the newly-created cut:

    

88. Press E to extrude
89. Type .75 and press Enter
90. Press G to move the face
91. Press Z to move it vertically
92. Type .75 and press Enter
93. Press S to resize the face
94. Type .35 and press Enter:

    

95. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click Edit Mode and click Object Mode:

    

96. In the Object tab of the Properties window, click Cone to select the name
97. Type Oak Mali and press Enter
98. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
99. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

    Name:      Eau Claire
    Location - X: -.2
    		     Y: -26.85
               Z: 3
    Scale    - X: .75
    		     Y: 1.25
               Z: .75

    

100. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
101. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

     Name:      Summer Stretch
     Location - X: -.75
     		     Y: -24.65
                Z: 4.2
     Scale    - X: 1
     		     Y: 2
                Z: 1

     

102. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
103. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

     Name:      High Hope
     Location - X: .85
     		     Y: -24.35
                Z: 4
     Scale    - X: 1.25
     		     Y: .75
                Z: .75

     

104. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
105. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: .3
     		     Y: -23.75
                Z: 2.75
     Scale    - X: .75
     		     Y: 1
                Z: .75

     

106. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
107. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 2
     		     Y: -23.65
                Z: 2.165
     Scale    - X: 1
     		     Y: 1
                Z: .75

108. The above numbers are simple indications.Otherwise, adjust the branches isze, and the leaves locations and sizes until you are satisfied. Here is an example:

     

Practical Learning: Creating the First Part of a Tree

1. In the Outliner, click the Restrict Viewport Visibility button of Cube to display it
2. In the Outliner, click Cube to select it
3. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

   Name:      Double-Tree
   Location - X: 7
   		     Y: 2
              Z: .1
   Scale    - X: .1
   		     Y: .1
              Z: .15

4. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Object Mode and click Edit Mode
5. Press Ctrl + R and get a vertical line on the Z and Y axes
6. Click twice to accept the cut:

   

7. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Edge Select button
8. Right-click the top edge to select it
9. Press S to resize the line
10. Press Y to resize along that axis
11. Type .75 and press Enter:

    

12. While the top edge is still selected, press G to move it
13. Press Z to move it up
14. Type .02 and press Enter:

    

15. Press Ctrl + R and get a line perpendicular to the top one
16. Click twice to confirm:

    

17. While the line is still selected, press S to resize the shape
18. Press X to resize along that axis
19. Type 1.25 and press Enter:

    

20. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
21. Right-click one of the top-right faces
22. Press and hold Shift
23. Right-click the other top-right face:

    

24. Press E to extrude
25. Type .5 and press Enter
26. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
27. Right-click the middle-back vertex:

    

28. Press G to move it
29. Press X to move in that axis
30. Type .01 and press Enter
31. Right-click the interior vertex betwnn the top two faces:

    

32. Press G to move the vertex
33. Press X to move horizontally
34. Type -.02 and press Enter
35. Right-click one of the vertices on the other side
36. Press and hold Shilft
37. Right-click the vertex on the other side
38. Release Shift:

    

39. Press S to resize
40. Type .75 and press Enter:

    

41. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
42. Right-click one of the top faces
43. Press and hold Shift
44. Right-click the other top face:

    

45. Press S to resize the face
46. Type .75 and press Enter
47. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Edge Select button
48. Right-click the top-central edge to select it
49. Press G to move the edge
50. Press Z to move it vertically
51. Type .01 and press Enter:

    

52. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
53. Right-click the top face behind the origin on the Y axis:

    

54. Press E to extrude
55. Type .35 and press Enter
56. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Edge Select button
57. Right-click the inside edge:

    

58. Press S to resise the edge
59. Type .75 and press Enter
60. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
61. Right-click the top face:

    

62. Press S to resize the face
63. Type .95 and press Enter
64. Press G to move the face
65. Press X to move along that axis
66. Typpe .2 and press Enter
67. Press R to rotate the face
68. Press Y to rotate around that axis
69. Type 45 and press Enter:

    

70. Press Ctrl + R and get a vertical cut
71. Click twice to confirm:

    

72. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
73. Right-click the bottom-outside vertex of the newly create cut:

    

74. Press G to move the edge
75. Press Y to move them along that axis
76. Type -.04 and press Enter
77. Right-click the vertex above the one you had previously used:

    

78. Press G to move the edge
79. Press Y to move them along that axis
80. Type -.03 and press Enter
81. Right-click the vertex above the one you had previously used:

    

82. Press G to move the edge
83. Press Y to move them along that axis
84. Type -.02 and press Enter
85. Right-click the vertex above the one you had previously used:

    

86. Press G to move the edges
87. Press Y to move them along that axis
88. Type -.02 and press Enter
89. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
90. Right-click the bottom face of the top two faces:

    

91. Press E to extrude
92. Type .5 and press Enter
93. Press G to move the face
94. Press Z to move vertically
95. Type -.2 and press Enter
96. Press S to resize it
97. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

98. Press G to move the face
99. Press Y to move vertically
100. Type -.15 and press Enter
101. Move the object and right-click the face that was previously left

     

102. Press E to extrude
103. Type .75 and press Enter
104. Press S to resize it
105. Type .5 and press Enter:

     

106. Move the object around and select the two second faces that were left:

     

107. Press E to extrude
108. Type .5 and press Enter
109. Press G to move the faces
110. Press X to move horizontally
111. Type .075 and press Enter
112. Press S to resize it
113. Type .75 and press Enter:

     

114. Move the object around and right-click the right face to select it:

     

115. Press E to extrude
116. Type .55 and press Enter
117. Press G to move the faces
118. Press X to move horizontally
119. Type .2 and press Enter
120. Press S to resize it
121. Type .5 and press Enter:

     

122. Move the object around and select the face that was left:

     

123. Press E to extrude
124. Type .85 and press Enter
125. Press G to move the faces
126. Press X to move horizontally
127. Type -.1 and press Enter
128. Press S to resize it
129. Type .5 and press Enter:

     

130. Press G to move the faces
131. Press Y to move horizontally
132. Type .5 and press Enter
133. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
134. Right-click the vertex inside the branches:

      

135. Press G to move the vertex
136. Press Z to move horizontally
137. Type .075 and press Enter
138. Right-click the inside vertex below the top two branches:

     

139. Press G to move the vertex
140. Press Y to move horizontally
141. Type -1.01 and press Enter
142. In the same way, move each intersecting vertex slightly away from its faces

Practical Learning: Creating the Second Part of a Tree

1. Select the original faces that were left
2. Right-click the other top-right face:

   

3. Press E to extrude
4. Type .35 and press Enter
5. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
6. Right-click the middle-back vertex:

   

7. Press G to move it
8. Press X to move in that axis
9. Type -.01 and press Enter
10. Right-click the vertex inside the main branches:

    

11. Press G to move the vertex
12. Press Z to move horizontally
13. Type .1 and press Enter
14. Right-click the interior vertex between the top two faces:

    

15. Press G to move the vertex
16. Press X to move vertically
17. Type .015 and press Enter
18. Right-click one of the vertices on the other side
19. Press and hold Shilft
20. Right-click the vertex on the other side
21. Release Shift:

    

22. Press S to resize
23. Type .75 and press Enter
24. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
25. Right-click one of the top faces
26. Press and hold Shift
27. Right-click the other top face:

    

28. Press E to extrude the faces
29. Type .5 and press Enter
30. Press S to resize
31. Type .8 and press Enter
32. Press G to move the faces
33. Press X to move them horizontally
34. Type -.05 and press Enter:

    

35. While the faces are still selected, press G to move
36. Press Y
37. Type -.075 and press Enter
38. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Edge Select button
39. Move the object to see the top faces and right-click the top-central edge to select it:

    

40. Press G to move the edge
41. Press Z to move it vertically
42. Type .02 and press Enter
43. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
44. Right-click the top face behind the origin on the Y axis:

    

45. Press E to extrude
46. Type .5 and press Enter
47. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Edge Select button
48. Right-click the inside edge:

    

49. Press S to resise the edge
50. Type .75 and press Enter
51. Press Ctrl + R and get a vertical cut
52. Click twice to confirm:

    

53. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
54. Right-click the top-interior face:

    

55. Press E to extrude
56. Type .2 and press Enter
57. Press S to resize the face
58. Type .75 and press Enter
59. Press G to move the face
60. Press X to move horizontally
61. Type .05 and press Enter:

    

62. Move the object and right-click the face that was previously left

    

63. Press E to extrude
64. Type .75 and press Enter
65. Press S to resize it
66. Type .65 and press Enter
67. Press G to move the faces
68. Press X to move horizontally
69. Type -.15 and press Enter:

    

70. Press G to move the faces
71. Press Y to move horizontally
72. Type -.25 and press Enter
73. Move the object around and right-click the interior face that were left:

    

74. Press E to extrude
75. Type .25 and press Enter
76. Press G to move the faces
77. Press X to move horizontally
78. Type .2 and press Enter
79. Press S to resize it
80. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

81. Move the object around and right-click the face that was left:

    

82. Press E to extrude
83. Type .55 and press Enter
84. Press G to move the faces
85. Press X to move horizontally
86. Type -.35 and press Enter
87. Press S to resize it
88. Type .5 and press Enter:

    

89. Press E to extrude
90. Type .25 and press Enter
91. Press S to resize it
92. Type .5 and press Enter
93. Press G to move the face
94. Press X to move along that axis
95. Typpe -.5 and press Enter:

    

96. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
97. Right-click the bottom-outside vertex of the newly create cut:

    

98. Press G to move the face
99. Press Y to move horizontally
100. Type -.02 and press Enter
101. Right-click the vertex above the one you had previously used:

     

102. Press G to move the edge
103. Press Y to move them along that axis
104. Type -.02 and press Enter
105. In the same way, move away the middle of three vertices that have the same alignment
106. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click Edit Mode and click Object Mode:

     

107. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
108. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

     Location - X: 5.15
     		     Y: 2.235
                Z: 1.95
     Scale    - X: 1
     		     Y: 1
                Z: .75

     

109. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
110. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

     Name:      Quarters
     Location - X: 6.35
     		     Y: .9
                Z: 2.7
     Scale    - X: .75
     		     Y: .75
                Z: .55

     

111. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
112. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, change the following values:

     Location - X: 6.625
     		     Y: 2.06
                Z: 2.05
     Scale    - X: .5
     		     Y: .5
                Z: .35

     

113. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
114. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 7
     		     Y: 2.04
                Z: 1.55
     Scale    - X: .3
     		     Y: .3
                Z: .3

     

115. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
116. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 7.25
     		     Y: 3
                Z: 3
     Scale    - X: 1.25
     		     Y: 1.25
                Z: 1

     

117. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
118. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 7.8
     		     Y: 2.2
                Z: 2
     Rotation - X: -10
     		     Y: 35
     Scale    - X: .25
     		     Y: .25
                Z: .5

     

119. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
120. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 8.4
     		     Y: 2
                Z: 1.65
     Rotation - Y: -30
     Scale    - X: .5
     		     Y: .5
                Z: .35

     

121. In the Object tab of hte Properties window, changethe following values:

     Location - X: 8.2
     		     Y: 1.8
                Z: 1.05
     Scale    - X: .5
     		     Y: .5
                Z: .35

     The above numbers are simple indications.Otherwise, adjust the branches isze, and the leaves locations and sizes until you are satisfied. Here is an example:

     

Practical Learning: Modeling a Stone

1. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
2. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

   Name:      Stony Foyer
   Location - X: -5
   		     Y: 0
              Z: .35 
   Rotation - Z: -40
   Scale    - X: 2
   		     Y: 3
              Z: 1.5

3. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Object Mode and click Edit Mode
4. On the Menu that appears, click Enable

   

5. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click the Proportional Editing Fallof button and click Sphere
6. Move the shape around and right-click a vertex (any) on the bottom side of the sphere
7. Press G
8. Roll the mouse wheel a few time to get a circle that includes the vertex and other vertices around it. Here is an example (you don't have to right-click the same vertex):

   

9. Move the mouse slightly up as if you are flattening the base
10. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Face Select button
11. Move the sphere around and right-click a face in the top side (no need for precision):

    

12. Press and hold Shif
13. Right-click the other faces that make up a star
14. Release Shift. Here is an example:

    

15. Position the mouse on the selection and press G
16. Move the mouse towards the sphere and click. Here is an example:

    

17. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click the Proportional Editing button and click Disable
18. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Edit Mode and click Object Mode

Practical Learning: Creating a Rock

1. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Ico Sphere
2. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

   Name:      Season Wrap
   Location - X: 20
   		     Y: -20
              Z: .05 
   Rotation - X: -20
   		     Y: 20
   Scale    - X: 2
   		     Y: 3
              Z: 1.5

   

Practical Learning: Creating a Stone

1. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Add -> Mesh -> Ico Sphere
2. On the Add Ico Sphere section below the Tools window, set the Subdivisions value to 3
3. On the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

   Name:      Rolling Side
   Location - X: 10.5
   		     Y: -30
              Z: .5
   Rotation - Z: 60
   Scale:   - X: 2
   		     Y: 1
              Z: 1

4. Press Tab to enter into Edit Mode
5. Position the mouse on the ico-sphere and press A to deselect everything
6. On the menu bar of the 3D-View, click the Vertex Select button
7. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Select and click Random. Here is an example (of course, your selection will be different from the following):

   

8. Press G to prepare to move the selected vertices
9. Move the mouse slightly along the red arrow (the X axis). Here is an example (of course, your selection will be different from the following):

   

10. Press A to deselect everything
11. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Select and click Random. Here is an example (of course, your selection will be different from the following):

    

12. Press S to move the selected vertices
13. Move the mouse slightly away from the object. Here is an example (of course, your object will appear different from the following):

    

14. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click Edit Mode and click Object Mode

Practical Learning: Setting a Desert Landscape

1. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button (the eye) on the right side of Ascension to display it
2. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Half Tail to display it
3. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Pitcher to display it
4. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Facial Works to display it
5. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of April Fish to display it
6. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Cake Off to display it
7. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Provincial to display it
8. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Oversight to display it
9. In the Outliner, click the Restricted Viewport Visibility button on the right side of Oak Mali to display it
10. In the Create tab of the Tools window, click Plane
11. In the Object tab of the Tools window, change the following values:

    Name:      Desert Floor
    Location - X: -5
    			 Y: 5
               Z: .02
    Scale    - X: 32
    		  	 Y: 45

12. In the Numeric Pad, press 0 to display the camera view
13. Press N to display the Properties Region
14. In the Properties Region, click Lock Camera to View to check it
15. In the Outliner, click Camera to select it
16. In the Object tab of the Properties window, change the following values:

    Location - X: 28
    			 Y: -50
    			 Z: 8.15
    Rotation - X: 78
    			 Y: 0
               Z: 30

    

17. Press N to close the Properties Region

Practical Learning: Applying Primary Materials

1. On the top menu bar, click Blender Render and select Cycles Render
2. In the Properties window, in the Render section, click 50%, type 100 and press Enter
3. Click the Sampling button to expand it
4. Change the Render value to 500
5. On the menu bar of the 3D View, click the Viewport Shading button and select Material:

   

   

Introduction to Inputs

An input is a piece of information that complements a material. Cycles Render supports two categories of inputs: simple and composite. A simple input is one that includes one value and can be added with a one window.

Practical Learning: Creating a Node Editor

1. In the top-right side of the 3D View, position the mouse inside the small triangle until a + button appears:

   

2. Click and drag down to create a window

   

3. Ten release the mouse
4. Click the button in the bottom-left side of the new window and click Node Editor:

   

   

Simple Inputs: The RGB Input

As you may remember, many materials (such as Diffuse, Glass, Glossy, Emission, and Background, just to name a few) have a Color characteristic that is used to paint an object. Many of those materials also have a roughness characteristic that is a floating-point number. To specify the color of a material, you can click the Color button. This would open a small window that contains a color wheel, a vertical color bar, a horizontal color bar, and text boxes. After selecting or specifying a color, the small window would close. As an alternative, Cycles Render provides an input named RGB.

If you select the RGB input in the Properties window, a small window would display. If you add it using the Node Editor, connect its Color button to the Color button of the material. After selecting or adding the RGB input, it would be available in the Properties window, in the Node Editor, and in the Properties Region of the Node Editor. The difference and advantage are that, while the local Color window closes after use, the RGB color window remains open.

Practical Learning: Adding an RGB Input

1. In the Properties window, click the Material button
2. In the Properties window, click the World button
3. In the Properties window, click the Use Nodes button
4. Click the dark-gray button on the right side of the black button of the Color button
5. In the window that appears, click RGB

   

6. In the color wheel, select a light blue color
7. Click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the color as follows:

   R: .65
   G: .75
   B: .855

8. In the Render section, click the Render button:

   

9. After viewing the results, press Esc
10. In the Outliner, click Desert Floor to select it
11. In the Properties window, click the New button
12. Zoom in the Node Editor as much as possible to be able to read the contents of the windows
13. In the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right-side of the white horizontal bar on the right side of Color
14. In the window that appears, click RGB

15. 

16. Still in the Properties window, click inside the color wheel to select a color close to mud
17. Click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and click RGB, then set a color as follows:

    R: 0.800
    R: .45
    B: .2

18. In the Outliner, click Oversight to select it
19. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
20. Still on the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Material.002 to select the name
21. Type Brown Starch and press Enter
22. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Add -> Input -> RGB
23. Position the new window on the left side of hte Diffuse BSDF and click



24. Drag the yellow button from the RGB window and drop it on the yellow button of Diffuse BSDF
25. Click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the color as follows:

    R: .115
    G: .025
    B: .005

    

26. In the Outliner, click Provincial to select it
27. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the New button
28. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Material.003 to select the name
29. Type Light Cocoa and press Enter
30. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right-side of the white bar of Color and click RGB
31. In the Node Editor, in the RGB window, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the RGB values as follows:

    R: .25
    G: .15
    B: .065

32. In the Outliner, click Cake Off to select it
33. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
34. Still on the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Material.003 to select the name
35. Type Salmonica and press Enter
36. In the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the extreme right-side of Color and click RGB
37. In the Node Editor, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the color as follows:

    R: .105
    G: .025
    B: .005

38. In the Outliner, click Pitcher to select it
39. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
40. In the Material section of the Properties window, click Material.003 to select the name
41. Type Burried Cane and press Enter
42. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right-side of the white bar of Color and click RGB
43. In the Node Editor, in the RGB window, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the RGB values as follows:

    R: .315
    G: .185
    B: .075

44. In the Outliner, click Stony Foyer to select it
45. In the Properties window, click the New button
46. Still in the Properties window, click Material.003 to select the name
47. Type Gray and press Enter
48. Still in the Properties windows, click the dark-gray button on the extreme right-side of Color and click RGB
49. In the Node Editor, click inside the vertical bar on the right-side of the color wheel and select a gray color (alternatively, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the color as follows: R = .255, G = .255, B = .205)
50. In the Outliner, click April Fish to select it
51. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the button on the left side of New and select Burried Cane
52. In the Outliner, click Facial Works to select it
53. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the button on the left side of New and select Salmonica
54. In the Outliner, click Half Tail to select it
55. In the Properties window, click the button on the left side of New and select Brown Starch
56. In the Outliner, click Ascension to select it
57. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the button on the left side of New and select Light Cocoa
58. In the Outliner, click Season Wrap to select it
59. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the button on the left side of New and select Gray
60. In the Outliner, click Rolling Side to selet it
61. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the button on the left side of New and select Gray
62. In the Outliner, click Classic Tree to select it
63. In the Material section of the Properties, click the button on the left side of New and select Brown Starch
64. In the Outliner, click Double-Tree to select it
65. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the button on the left side of New and select Brown Starch
66. In the Outliner, click Summer Stretch to select it
67. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
68. In the Material section of the Properties window, click Material.002 to select it
69. Type Regular Green and press Enter
70. In the menu window that appears, click RGB
71. In the Node Editor, click inside the color wheel and select a normal green color
72. Still in the Node Editor, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the RGB value as follows:

    R: 0
    G: .5
    B: 0

The Value Input

Many materials use numeric values. Probably the most common numeric value is the roughness. To set such a characteristics, you can use its button on the material window in the Properties window or the Node Editor. To provide an alternative, Cycles Render provides an input named Value.

Practical Learning: Introducing Cycles Render

1. In the Properties window, click the dark gray button on the right side of 0.000 on the right-side of Roughness
2. In the menu that appears, click Value
3. In the Node Editor, click the Roughness value, type .25

   

4. Press Enter
5. In the Outliner, click Eau Claire to select it
6. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
7. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Material.003 to select the name
8. Type Dark Green and press Enter
9. In the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right-side of Color and click RGB
10. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and set the color as follows:

    R: 0
    G: .135
    B: .005

11. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Add -> Input -> Value
12. Position the window below the RGB window
13. In the Value window, click the 0.500 value to select it
14. Type .75 and press Enter
15. Drag the gray button from the Value window and drop it on the Roughness gray button of the Diffuse BSDF window
16. In the Outliner, click High Hope to select it
17. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
18. In the Properties window, double-click Material.003 to select the name
19. Type Light Green and press Enter
20. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the dark-gray button of Color and click RGB
21. Click the horizontal bar below the color wheel and click Hex
22. Set the color value as 2AFF2C and press Enter
23. In the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right side of Roughness and click Value
24. In the Node Editor, click the value of Roughness to select it
25. Type .885 and press Enter
26. In the Outliner, click Quarters to select it
27. On the menu bar of the Node Editor, click the New button
28. Still on the menu bar of the Node Editor, click Material.004 to select the name
29. Type Yellow Leaven and press Enter
30. In the Material section of the Properties window, click the dark-gray button on the right side of Color and select RGB
31. Click the horizontal bar below the color wheel, click Hex, set its value as adff2f and press Enter
32. For each of the other leaves, right-click a leaf to select it, in either the Node Editor or the Material section of the Properties window, click the button on the left side of New and select one of Dark Green, Regular Green, Light Green, or Yellow Leaven
33. In the top-right side of the 3D View, click inside the small triangle drag it up completely to close the Node Editor:

    

34. In the Properties window, click the Render button
35. In the Render section, click the Render button:

    

36. After viewing the results, press Esc