So many things have side effects. Though often we don’t see them as side effects. We expect side effects to be obvious. Like the ones that are listed in the little piece of paper that comes with most medications. Those are side effects we recognize and expect. Others are unique to individuals, like people with allergies to things. For them the side effect to coming into contact with something or to eating something is some sort of allergic reaction. Again, a side effect we recognize. Then there are the more subtle side effects. Like the side effect of reading, or education, or of participating is some event, or of travel. There are also side effects to modeling donuts in Blender.
No joke. I have been watching the tutorial for creating donuts and he keeps showing reference pictures of donuts, and his donut, and now, my donut, and I just want donuts. Fortunately, I’ve been able to share the pain. As I’ve gotten my donut to a really good spot, when I show it to otheres, it causes them to want a donut. Funny how that all works. I know there is a lot more to the psychology of that as well as the chemistry. For me, it’s a little amusing to see this in myself.
I’ve managed to finish the donut. Mostly. I’ve gone back to it a time or two just to tweak a bit here or there. Mostly the sprinkles. The steps for the texture painting and procedural texturing were amazing. I watched the video from the 2018 Blender conference on texturing using the nodes. It was an incredible presentation and I was really impressed. Though I had not rolled up my sleeves and given it a try. This tutorial gives you the opportunity to do that. Ok, maybe it’s more like it requires it. And along the way, he explains the choices he’s making. So now I have a quite tasty looking donut and a craving for same.
The whole series is designed as a beginning course to get you started with all or nearly all of the main aspects of Blender. That has already included box modeling, sculpting, particles, texture painting, procedural texturing, and the render engines. But we’re not quite done. After we model a coffee cup and saucer or plate, to go with the donut we’re going to put coffee in that cup and make it have some condensation. And then once we create a welcoming atmosphere, we’ll create a short animation to slide the plate across the counter. I’m excited because there are more than a few bits of this that I needed to know at other points for things I tried to work on. And they are things that I need to know for things I want to create but haven’t started on yet.
As you can see, I’ve created my coffee cup and saucer. The fun thing is we’re making it clear glass. The really cool thing is that it takes about ten seconds the get good looking clear glass. It’s the easiest thing I’ve seen. I was blown away. I know it’s a small thing. But with all the things that can be tweaked and changed to find that it only takes adjusting 3 settings really is a great thing. Now to learn how to fill it with coffee. Confession. I’ve watched that part already I just haven’t tried to do it yet.
The other interesting side effect of this project is the creative ideas that come from it. For example, many of the donut companies here will create a special donut for a holiday. Of course, with Valentine’s Day, they often make pink and red donuts with little heart shapes on them. And in March there is St. Patrick’s Day. So my brain has run off with the idea or creating donuts for these occasions myself. We’ll see if I get it done. I promise to post it if I do.
And the other stuff going on. The injury is still plaguing me, though not as bad and I’m making progress. The shoulder part has started to calm down and now we’re working on the forearm which seems to be the key part as to why it hurts to play guitar. That is starting to get better as well. Though I still have some pain in the elbow, and especially where the therapist did the deep tissue massage, I can now play about 5 minutes at a time. I play and then I stop and stretch. I’ve started with scales since for me they take a little less strength and tension to finger than chords. They also provide good exercise for the fingers. It’s definitely progress. I also try to keep the typing down as that seems to irritate the nerves and trigger points as well. Which is why I waited to write this post.
We had another Blues Jam. I did go but as you likely guessed, I didn’t play. I just sang. I had wanted to try to learn a new song or two to add to my list. That didn’t happen. It’s ok. I went and had a good time anyway. I also hit on a couple of things that I might try on guitar that might help me avoid doing some of the things that have triggered the injury. Since I have to progress slowly as I get back into it, trying something a little different as I go might just be the thing.
I’ve also had a small break through in my studying for the next test for the day job. I’ve found a time of day that works really well for me to sit down and read the study material. Just like with practicing music, or anything else, consistency seems to be the key. As it happens, about the time of day I take Taekwondo, is a good time for me to be studying. So, I have sat down regularly at this time for the last week or so and finished the chapter that I had not even started a week before. This gives me some hope and relief. As you might remember, this sort of studying has been difficult and challenging for me to find a method that works. I really won’t know how effective this has been until I go to take the test. At least for now, it doesn’t feel like I’m fighting and uphill battle just to read three pages.
There’s more to come. I’ve got more donuts to be working on and to share, and I’m looking forward to getting my hands around the neck of a guitar again. Even if it is only five minutes at a time. Along with that are whatever other adventures I can find. Art, music, or otherwise.
Apologies if you now find yourself headed to your nearest donut shop.