OStatic

We've written before about Blender, the powerful open source 3D modeling, graphics and animation application, currently out in a much improved new version. Blender is in fact so powerful that it's been used to create very professional looking full-length animated movies.

The web, and the Blender.org site both abound with Blender tutorials, and the free online book Blender Basics is a good place to start learning the application, but Free Software Magazine alerted me to what may be the best free way to master Blender of all: Tufts University's Blender 3D Design online class.

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Calling all artists: If you want to try your hand at creating images as spectacular as the one on the left and win a prize for them, then you need to enter the Blender World Cup 2009 contest. This year's topic focuses on the other world which should contain fantasy, creativity, and interest.

Contest rules are pretty straightforward. As long as Blender is the predominant 3D software you use to create your image, you're welcome to use any other apps you like. Entries need to be submitted in .JPG format and saved at 80-95% quality.

Blender World Cup judges offer the following tips for getting the best shot at nabbing a slot as one of 2009's winners:

There's a lot going on in the world of open source software development, including some early looks at updates to several popular applications. Remember: beta versions of software are fun to play with and crucial for getting final versions out the door, but aren't stable enough for everyday use.

AbiWord 2.7.10 Beta - Open source word processor, AbiWord, mainly fixes bugs associated with plugins but there are also a handful of fixes for some cross-platform issues. You'll also want to check out this beta version if you've been having issues with importing and exporting Open Office XML docs.

If you followed the box office success of the Pixar film called Up, you may have heard that it was the 10th animated box office success in a row for Pixar. Animated films are big business, and part of the reason they're succeeding is because of many types of improved technology.

Not everyone realizes, though, that open source software plays a big, behind-the-scenes role in how animated films are created. Partly as an acknowledgement of that fact, Sony Pictures Imageworks, the visual effects and digital character animation unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions, is launching an open source development program focused on software for use in creating films. To launch the program, the company has announced five new open source technologies for anyone to use, where they will join many other ones.