Bones: Sub-objects which are connected with each other in a chain. Each bone-link is parented to
the bone before it.
Buffer Shadows: Method of generating shadows cast by light by calculating the angle of a
mesh’s edge and creating a set amount of shadow “squares” on the shadow-receiving objects
which are calculated from a set buffer-ration. Memory-friendly but lower quality.
C
Curves: (An object type). Curves are mathematically defined objects which can be manipulated
with control handles or control points (instead of vertices), to manage their length and curvature.
E
Edge: A wire-like line representing the boundary of 2 adjacent vertices.
Empties: Null objects that are simple visual transform nodes that do not render. They are useful
for controlling the position or movement of other objects.
F
File Browser: Browses the files on your computer in Blender.
Force Fields: (An object type). Used in physical simulations. They give simulations external
forces, creating movement, and are represented in the 3D Viewport as small control objects.
G
Grease Pencil Objects: (An object type). Objects created by painting strokes.
I
Icosphere: A sphere composed of triangular faces composed in a manner to give the best
“smoothness” for lowest memory consumption.
: IPO Curve Editor: Allows you to insert saved key points of the positions, transformations, and
settings of objects of the course of a series of frames.
K
Keyframe: A marker of time which stores the value of a property.
M
Mesh: (An object type). A collection of faces, edges, and vertices which can be modeled and
manipulated in Edit Mode.
Metaballs: (An object type). Meta objects (or metaballs) are objects formed by a mathematical
function (with no control points or vertices) defining the 3D volume in which the object exists.
Meta objects have a liquid-like quality where when two or more metaballs are brought together,
they merge by smoothly rounding out the connection, appearing as one unified object.
N
NLA Editor: Allows you to change the key positions of all actions/IPO’s.
R
Ray Shadows: Method of generating shadows cast by light by calculating the angle and faces of
the interfering object to create a smooth, sharp and complete shadow. Memory intensive but the
best quality.
S
Scripts Browser: The window used to initiate any Python scripts save in BLender to add
functionality.
Surface: (An object type). Surfaces are patches that are also manipulated with control points.
These are useful for simple rounded forms and organic landscapes.
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