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First we are going to download Blender 2.61, in fact I have gone ahead and Updated from my 2.49 Version to this latest, the Interface looks different from my earlier Version, but I think I will be alright in getting started with it, Blender is the free Computer Graphics/Modelling & Animation Program.
Once downloaded, locate and install it -- you might notice the Command (Black) Prompt that follows it, don`t be alarm for this is normal in Blender, you will be ask to install Python (if not already installed) programming script, again don`t be alarm because this script is needed for Blender to communicate with your Operating System.
Now Blender is open and ready to go, go ahead and click in a clear area to get rid of that Image/Object that is blocking the view port.
Before getting started we need a quick tour of the Interface, In the View port, you now see the Default Perspective View with a Cube/Box, as well as 2 other (Black) Objects in the Port, one is the Camera and the other a Lamp/Light, right-click on either to select it, then go back to the Cube/Box by right-clicking on it.
Note: If you`re on a Mac -- I suspect you hold_down the Apple key and click the mouse, when selecting an object.
● First click on View in the Tools Bar immediately below the View port, this shows you all the Viewing options, you can work in anyone of them at anytime. Click on the Toggle Quad View near the top of the Panel, this shows 3 additional Views, Top - Front and Right, you need to fully understand the concept of 3D, particularly if you wanted to add the Butterfly to your Project.
Note: You can only Morph/Rotate the Butterfly Wings from the Front View as shown in Illustration No.2 rotate up and Illustration No.3 rotate down. A complete description in the Butterfly/Setup.
Press x on your Keyboard, this brings up a little requester that follows the mouse, now click delete on that requester and the Cube/Box disappears.... same for any selected object.
● Now you are ready to type your name. Go to the Top Menu click on Add and select Text -- the Text Tool F will be displayed on the right, but the Tools Panel must first be activated --- Straddle the right Panel and View port with the Mouse -- hold down and drag to the left until you see a F in the Tools Panel (near top) on a Dark Grey Background -- click the F
● Now we have the Text/Font Tools at our disposal --- back in the View ports, we can see the word Text starts from the Center point which is the XYZ Coordinates, but we want the word Centered on that point.
You can change from the Default Type Font if you so wish, and if you know what you want, you can check-out the Fonts on your Operating System to see what`s there -- to do that, click on the Folder in the Font Tools Panel -- just below Paragraph - Modification section is the Font section, mark -- Regular - Bold - Italic - Bold Italic, click on the appropriate folder on the right, this opens up the drive the Operating System is installed on -- usually the C:\ ---- stroll down to Windows and open it -- stroll to find Fonts, if this seems too daunting a task, click cancel at top right.
● Back to the Font Tools Panel, Scroll down below Paragraph - Align, select center, the word Text is now centered in the view ports. Scroll back to Font and increase the size of the Font to 4.0 (larger if you want) by using the little arrow.
● Now we need to edit the Text, but first select View from the Menu Bar below, and click Toggle Quad View to get out of that Mode -- now select Top, this is the best view for editing the Text -- still from that Menu Bar below select from Object Mode then Edit Mode, Back-space to delete the Text and type your name --- when you are happy with the Name return to Object Mode....click View and select a Perspective or Camera View.
● In the Font Tools PaneL on the right, Scroll to see Geometry - Modification --- and Extrude to approximately 0.26, don`t make extrude too deep, then over to the right and under Bevel, select the Dept to about 0.08 --- this gives your Type a Decorative look, similar to the white Edge/trimming on the (bajanjo) Name Banner.
● Position the Type by using the Move or Rotate Tools below -- near the center in that Menu Bar, the object with 3 handles is the representative of the 3 immediate Tools on it`s right, namely the -- Move Tool --- Rotate Tool --- Stretch Tool..... play-around with it using the Rotate Tool and Move Tool until you`re happy with the position.....Save your Project.
Note: The Move Tool is the Default in Blender.
To this point, I have shown you an opening --- now it`s up to you to push on. Learn how to Service/Color your Projects and how to Render a single Image or Movie from the many Tutorials on offer on the Net.
That`s it from me as far as the Text is concern -- hope it gave you a jump start to Computer Graphics/Modelling & Animation.
Remember, there is no short-cut to the top __ Make sacrifice, persevere, drive and commit yourself to the task, but be Patient -- its a good feeling, knowing that you have something special, as part of your Repertoire -- go ahead and search for Blender Tutorials/You Tube --- Dozens are available -- Learn additional Technical things like -- Lighting -- Servicing -- Camera angles and many more that will help your work look more Professional...good luck.... and enjoy!