Waylena McCully of Staerkel Planetarium
2010 Workshop Attendee
Blender Production Workshops
Learn to make your own planetarium shows with Blender, a free, open-source 3D software.
Our Blender-Based Production Workshops offer an intensive, hands-on learning experience. We immerse you in the software from day one!
See our Productions Page for information on this and other open source planetarium shows.
Digital planetarium projectors use fisheye video masters. It looks strange on a flat screen, but it's just right on the dome! (Fisheye rendering is one of the first lessons at the workshop!)
Attending a Workshop
Our workshops are held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about 1 hour away.
Attendees are responsible for their own travel expenses, including lodging, meals, and transportation. Public transportation is available in the SLC-Ogden area. See rideuta.com for more information.
Hotel and Travel Info
What should I bring?
We will provide everything you need to participate in the workshop, including high power computer workstations and a complimentary USB HDD to carry your creations home.
What if I'm not a planetarium person?
No problem! In fact, the vast majority of Blender users are "flat screeners." Most of the skills we teach are the same either way. The only major difference is our specialized camera and scene composition. (You're welcome to use a "normal" camera if you want.)
Hands-On Projects
Our class projects are designed to maximize your learning experience in a minimal amount of time. New skills are presented progressively. Our instructors will be with you every step of the way as the class develops increasingly challenging skills.
Ongoing Support
Connect with the growing community of Blender users through a variety of wikis, forums, and discussion groups. The Blendheads Group is the "official" forum for workshop instructors and students.
Have Blender, Will Travel
Our instructors can be hired as consultants. This may be a cost effective option if you need to train a number of people. E-Mail Ron Proctor for details (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
Intro Blender Workshop
Dates TBD
Weber State University (Ogden, Utah, USA)
E-Mail Ron Proctor for details (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
The intro class will collaborate on an open movie, like the one shown above. In a few short days, you will learn:
In the end, you will receive a copy of the movie, along with its source files.
Recent Workshop Agenda
Hotel and Travel Info
Prerequisites: None.
Workshop Fee: $700 per seat.
Dates TBD
Weber State University (Ogden, Utah, USA)
E-Mail Ron Proctor for details (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
The intro class will collaborate on an open movie, like the one shown above. In a few short days, you will learn:
- Blender Interface
- Modeling
- Animation
- Materials
- Textures
- Modifiers
- Animation Curves
- The Video Sequence Editor
- And more!
In the end, you will receive a copy of the movie, along with its source files.
Recent Workshop Agenda
Hotel and Travel Info
Prerequisites: None.
Workshop Fee: $700 per seat.
Advanced Blender Workshop
Dates TBD
Weber State University (Ogden, Utah, USA)
E-Mail Ron Proctor for details (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
During the first half of advanced classes, we will introduce Blender's advanced tools:
During the second half we'll help you tackle your own special effects scenes. Our instructors will help you polish your scenes to perfection.
Recent Workshop Agenda
Hotel and Travel Info
Prerequisites: None.
Workshop Fee: $700 per seat.
Dates TBD
Weber State University (Ogden, Utah, USA)
E-Mail Ron Proctor for details (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
During the first half of advanced classes, we will introduce Blender's advanced tools:
- Particle Systems
- Compositing
- Fluid Dynamics Simulation
- Physics Simulation
- Game Engine Logic
- And more!
During the second half we'll help you tackle your own special effects scenes. Our instructors will help you polish your scenes to perfection.
Recent Workshop Agenda
Hotel and Travel Info
Prerequisites: None.
Workshop Fee: $700 per seat.
Got Questions?
E-Mail Ron Proctor (ronproctor@science.weber.edu).
1969-2012