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Ask HN: What are topics that you want to learn but haven't gotten around to?

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Re: Ask HN: What are topics that you want to learn but haven't gotten around to?

#51

Post by flyingcircus3 »

errozero wrote: post #42
slezyr wrote: post #21

3D modeling in Blender3D

I started doing this recently, but I want to use a laptop. Blender seems better suited to a full size keyboard and proper mouse. Does anyone use it with a laptop keyboard and trackpad?

I would say that in the abstract, if this is a skill you want to learn, don't let the specific tool choices get in the way of the education. Give yourself every opportunity for success, by choosing the recommended tools, as you can afford them. A better way to think of good tools is that they get all of the bullshit out of your way so you can work at maximum efficiency. Thus, until you actually learn the skill, trying to impose your own preconceived notions of the right tools for the job is complete guesswork.

Once you understand the basic logistics, then you are positioned to judge specific characteristics of your tools, and make educated decisions about which accentuate your craft, and which cause you endless grief to just perform their basic tasks.

Re: Ask HN: What are topics that you want to learn but haven't gotten around to?

#52

Post by slezyr »

flyingcircus3 wrote: post #50
slezyr wrote: post #21

3D modeling in Blender3D

I don't use blender, so I'm not sure if it is highly specialized for a particular application. However, Autodesk Fusion 360 is a perfectly capable program as well, and has very favorable licensing if you are a hobbyist. They've done a really good job with first party tutorials, both in written copy, and videos. It seems to be one of the hottest tools in the 3D printing community right now, so the community is robust…

I shouldn't have said "3D modeling" there. I'm more interested in "3D art" than in CAD models.

I've found some books about preparing models for 3D printing in Blender. Also it has quite big number learning materials about it.

> This pattern alone makes me think that Fusion 360 is an excellent tool to approach CAD from the perspective of a coder.

While many people hate blender's UI, I really liked it because it fells like writing text in Vim. At first it is hard to understand it, but then you learn hotkeys and you stop calling actions from toolbars/menus and simply input action using keyboard.

As simple example: (To switch to edit mode) e (To duplicate all selected points) g (To move selected points) x (along X axis) 2 (by 2 units)

5 keys and I've made duplicate of current object and moved it a little. Without touching mouse. I really like blender for all these hotkeys they make modeling much faster and easier.

Re: Ask HN: What are topics that you want to learn but haven't gotten around to?

#53

Post by slezyr »

flyingcircus3 wrote: post #51
errozero wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I started doing this recently, but I want to use a laptop. Blender seems better suited to a full size keyboard and proper mouse. Does anyone use it with a laptop keyboard and trackpad?

I would say that in the abstract, if this is a skill you want to learn, don't let the specific tool choices get in the way of the education. Give yourself every opportunity for success, by choosing the recommended tools, as you can afford them. A better way to think of good tools is that they get all of the bullshit out of your way so you can work at maximum efficiency. Thus, until you actually learn the skill, tryin…

Blender heavily relies on numpad keys and middle mouse button so there is small "hardware" problem to use it on laptops

Re: Ask HN: What are topics that you want to learn but haven't gotten around to?

#54

Post by anotherevan »

On the "Things I Want To Learn But Rarely Get Around To™" list there is Rust and to a lesser degree, Elm (although I am starting to worry about rumblings of dissatisfaction in how Elm is being managed).

I'm also been reading a bit about Event Sourcing application design. I want to play with it, but it seems like I have to get my head around CQRS and Domain-driven design as part of the process...

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