02 Extending Blender Functionality - screencast keys
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Session 02: Installing Extensions – Screen Cast Keys
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🔹 Module 1: Introduction
• Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite written in C++ with Python integration.
• Blender 5 is in alpha stage; some add-ons/extensions may not yet be supported.
• For stability and production work, we will start with Blender 4.5.2 LTS.
Learning Outcome:
Understand why we are using Blender 4.5.2 and what to expect from Blender 5.
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🔹 Module 2: Launching Blender
Step 1: Open Blender
• Double-click on Blender 4.5.2 LTS.
• Confirm the version number on the top right corner of the Quick Setup screen.
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🔹 Module 3: Quick Setup
Step 2: Configure Quick Setup
• Language: Select English (US) - recommended for reliable shortcuts. (Hindi is available but may affect shortcuts).
• Theme: Choose Blender Dark or Blender Light. - Select Blender Dark for consistency.
• Keymap: Leave at Blender (default). - Advanced users can pick Industry Compatible (for Maya/Max users).
• Mouse Select: Left (default).
• Spacebar Action: Change from Play to Search.
👉 If Quick Setup doesn’t appear, go to Edit - Preferences to configure manually.
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🔹 Module 4: Splash Screen
Step 3: Explore Splash Screen
• New File options: General, 2D Animation, Sculpting, VFX, Video Editing.
• Right-hand panel: Blender Manual, Tutorials, Support, Communities, Blender.org.
• What’s New section: Recent updates.
• Dismiss splash screen by clicking outside.
👉 If you skipped Quick Setup:
• Go to Preferences - Interface - Set Language.
• Themes tab - Blender Dark.
• Keymap tab - Confirm Left select, Spacebar = Search.
• Enable Auto Save Preferences.
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🔹 Module 5: Extensions & Add-ons
Step 4: Install Screencast Keys
• Why add-ons matter: Blender’s open-source nature means thousands of community-built features.
• Open a browser - go to extensions.blender.org.
• Search Screencast Keys.
• Back in Blender - Edit - Preferences - Get Extensions.
• Allow Online Access.
• Search Screencast Keys - Install.
• Enable Enable on Startup.
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🔹 Module 6: Testing Screencast Keys
• Open the N-panel (press N) - Select Screencast Keys.
• Enable it.
• Adjust settings:
o Mouse Size = 60
o Font Size = 30
o Line Thickness = 3
Test:
• Left-click - Overlay appears.
• Right-click - Overlay appears.
• Middle-click - Overlay appears.
• Press A - “A” appears on screen.
👉 You now have a visual display of keystrokes and mouse clicks, useful for tutorials and live sessions.
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🔹 Module 7: Practice & Exercises
1. Exercise 1:
Launch Blender, set Language = English US, Theme = Blender Dark, Spacebar Action = Search. Confirm Auto Save is enabled.
2. Exercise 2:
Open Splash Screen - Create new General project - Add a cube - Test Screencast Keys by pressing G (move), S (scale), R (rotate).
3. Exercise 3:
Install another extension (e.g., Atomic Blender). Document its usage in one sentence.
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🔹 Module 8: Next Session Prep
• You are now ready to start exploring the Blender User Interface in depth.
• Next session will cover:
o Top Menu Bar
o Workspaces (Layout, Modeling, Animation, etc.)
o Viewport navigation