Model and render objects in Blender
Michael Reed is going to show you how to make a lovely cuppa… in Blender.
We’re going to make a tea mug using Blender, taking inspiration from a real-world object. First, we’ll take some basic measurements from the object. Then, we’ll model the two main components of the mug: the body and the handle. Then we’re going to add appropriate materials to surfaces of the model. Bear in mind that Blender is a 3D modeller and not a CAD program, so we’re going for something that aesthetically resembles the original object rather than following it to the millimetre.
The model mug
The mug we’ve chosen is quite large and wide, easily capable of powering a caffeine-fuelled, mammoth Linux session. Taking the ruler to it, it’s around 100mm tall and the opening is 94mm wide. The wall of the mug is about 4mm thick. The diameter of the body is inconsistent, but it tapers off at around 15mm from the bottom. That gives us the basic measurements we need to get modelling. It also features surfaces of two different colours – an inner and an outer – but that’s fairly easy to handle in Blender.
Because the object we’re going to be working on is relatively small, let’s start by setting the units that we want to work with to millimetres rather than the default of meters. Within the Properties Browser (lower left-hand side of the screen), select the Scene Properties tab. Within that panel, under the Units
