Beginner Blender 4.0 Tutorial - Part 14: Finale!

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the final steps of creating a video from an image sequence using Blender. This is the last part of a beginner series focused on Blender, and it will cover how to load your image sequence, edit it, and export it as a video file. Whether you're looking to upload to platforms like YouTube or simply want to create a personal project, this guide will help you finalize your work effectively.

Chapter 1: Video Editing in Blender

1. Open Blender for Video Editing

   • Launch Blender and go to File > New.
   • Select Video Editing to set up the interface optimized for editing.

2. Understanding the Workspace

   • The interface features a video editor (sequencer) at the bottom and a preview window at the top.

Chapter 2: Loading an Image Sequence

1. Importing the Image Sequence

   • Press Shift + A to open the add menu.
   • Select Image > Image Sequence.
   • Navigate to the folder containing your TIFF files.
   • Select all images by pressing A and then click Add Image Strip.

2. Playback Settings

   • To play the sequence, press the Spacebar.
   • Adjust the frame rate from 24 to 30 frames per second in the properties panel to ensure smoother playback.

Chapter 3: Holding the Last Frame

1. Extending the Last Frame
   • Click on the end of the image strip until it highlights.
   • Use G to grab and drag it to extend the duration (e.g., to frame 250).
   • This allows the last frame to hold, giving viewers time to appreciate the final image.

Chapter 4: Fading to Black

1. Adding a Fade Effect
   • Press Shift + A and select Color to add a black strip at the end of your sequence.
   • Position this strip over the last frame.
   • Select the black strip, press Shift + A, and then choose Fade to create a fade-in effect for the transition.

Chapter 5: Exporting the Final Video

1. Setting Output Options

   • In the output settings, choose a folder to save your video. It's often helpful to save it in the same location as your frames.
   • Set the file format to FFmpeg video, which provides flexibility in output options.

2. Choosing Video Encoding Settings

   • Under Encoding, select the container format as MP4 (MPEG-4).
   • Keep the codec as H.264 for reliable compression.
   • Set the audio codec to No Audio if your project has no sound.

3. Rendering the Video

   • To export, go to Render > Render Animation.
   • Blender will process the frames, and you’ll see the progress at the bottom of the interface.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully created a video from an image sequence in Blender. You now have the tools to edit and export your projects effectively. As you dive deeper into Blender, consider exploring additional tutorials or courses to enhance your skills. Challenge yourself by creating variations of your projects, like different donut designs or themed scenes. Happy blending!