The Blender F1 Challenge History

Curtis F1 2001The Blender F1 Challenge began simply enough with a "challenge". In the spring of 2001, I posted an image on the original Blender community forum (at blender.nl) of a newly rendered F1 concept car touted as "Schummi's New Ride". It was red, and had the famous prancing horse logo on the side. I had been using Blender for 6 or 7 months at the time so I was quite proud of actually finishing a model. That was until another Blender user (who shall remain nameless...) posted a comment that it looked like "80's technology". Looking at the image now his comment was quite accurate (see image at right) in that it resembled a Senna/Prost era McLaren. But at the time I was a bit put-out since I was trying to create a F1 car of the future. So in reply, I challenged the "other" Blender user to create a better F1 future car. He said he didn't have time immediately but could take me on in a month or two (incidently, he has never entered the Blender F1 Challenge so "my challenge" is still open...). Meanwhile, several other Blender users were watching this forum thread and asked if they could join the challenge to create a F1 car of the future. Needless to say, the rest is history as the Blender F1 Challenge, now in it's seventh year, has become the most popular Blender users contest ever. THANK YOU the Blender community for that distinction!

I certainly hope you enjoy the Blender F1 Challenge whether you are participating or not. And to all of you "Entrants", rev up those Blender machines and let'em rip!!
Ciao for now!
CurtisS

About Blender

Blender is a popular open source 3D modeling and animation program. Spearheaded by Ton Rosendaal, Blender has become a serious contender in the world of 3D appications as the entries in the Blender F1 Challenge can attest. Blender is supported solely by the 3D community and has been an important link in introducing new artists to the three dimensional world. Visit the official Blender web site and download this wonderful FREE program at www.blender.org.
Ton and the Blender E-Shop have shown their support for the Blender F1 Challenge from the very beginning and the tradition continues this year as well.

About Animusic

Animusic, creators of incredible computer animated music, join us as a prize sponsor for this years Blender F1 Challenge. We certainly appreciate their help and the lucky winners of an Animusic 2 DVD will really appreciate the work and artistry that goes into the making of the Animusic videos. Their work is simply amazing to watch! Visit the Animusic web site at www.animusic.com. Animusic currently has two DVD offerings and there are sure to be more in the near future.

Thank you to author Tony Mullen and Sybex Publishers

Tony Mullen, author of “Introducing Character Animation with Blender” and the books publisher, Sybex have joined the Blender F1 Challenge as a prize sponsor. Tony's book is an in-depth professional guide to animating in Blender, our favorite and powerful open-source 3D modeling and animation software that is at the heart of the Blender F1 Challenge. Tony's book is available directly from Sybex, the Blender E-Shop or at retailers such as Amazon.