Get on the fast track to Blender 3D knowledge with Ira Krakow's Blender 3D Cookbook. The book contains the scripts for 62 of Ira's Youtube videos, as well as links to them. Topics range from elementary mesh modeling to advanced Python scripting and the Blender Game Engine. Covers both 2.49 and 2.5 versions.

Blender is a free open source 3D graphics application, available under the GNU General Public License for the Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, OpenBSD and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Blender's features include 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water and smoke simulations, skinning, animating, rendering, particle and other simulations, non-linear editing, compositing, and the ability to create interactive 3D applications, video games, animated film, or visual effects. More advanced tools include rigid, realistic body, fluid, cloth and softbody dynamics simulation, modifier-based modeling, character animation, a node-based material and compositing system, and embedded scripting in Python.