product updated last 12/6/2018 4:34AM

2.8 has arrived. And now we look forward and move forward with our LMB fingers on the ready. And with the release of BLENDER 2.8 Alpha we release Hard Ops 0097: Promethium.

Before I begin I must add this will be an extended release. We attempted to port over as much as possible and make it work within the new Blender but many things will need to be re-approached. Extended means we will be improving it over the course of the development with a more rapid update schedule than the usual.

To clear the air before we begin here is what is missing in this release.

•  inserts
• merge options and workflows
• relink (replaced with collections)
• UV preview
• Xunwrap
• radial array
• display ngons/tris (no scene handler to update / broken)

Many of these things will return even better than last time with expand ability in mind for their expansions. There were many ideas for this release that didn’t make it due to stability or lack of time. As Blender 2.8 changes we endeavor to go for the most streamlined workflow we can come up with an effective way to use Blender and our tools.

Without further ado lets begin.

Alt + V / Sub-Menu: Eevee Improvements

This one was added by me. So its simple. But I was very happy to get it started. When we first went into 2.8 it took a moment to figure out how to get these options where I wanted.

Machin3 was so kind as to give me assistance in solving things and after that I was set! He has also released Machin3Tools for 2.8.

The breakdown of the alt + V menu is as follows,

• Overlays (formerly quiet mode)
• Eevee HQ / LQ (changes the scene to quickly show a nice result) (enabled shadows / AO / sets cavity) It can also be quickly turned off.
• Viewport Mode
• Viewport Mode Details
• Lighting setup sphere / matcap sphere
• Rendering checkboxes for view
• Specific checkboxes for view

I must add machin3tools has made a different approach to this setup but I was assisted by his support.

 

Hard Ops Helper Improvements

The (Ctrl + ~) helper has been updated to 2.8 and also has settings for Viewport Color / Roughness / and Transparency type for Eevee. This comes in handy for viewport shader management and also creating glass materials with transparency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 2nd image we see the mirror options and sharp options still intact. The interactive mirror was affected last release so the previous system also remains in case anything happens.

Mirror Changes

Interactive mirror (ALT+ X) almost died. I am pleased to announce it pulled through. When this was broken I was expressing how riots would be had were this popular feature not present. Thanks to AR and proxe respectively.

We have plans to grow this into something more visually appealing but the framework is in place. I am excited to think of what this version will become in 2.8.

Relink was the 4th box and with it gone now there is only 3 options.

•  Modifier (now with bisect options)
• Bisect (classic bisect)
• Symmetrize (one and done classic)

Alt + shift + x / y / z still do the classic mirrors and mirror mirror (for mirroring one object across another). But the F6 menu is there if you need to make adjustments.

 

 

 

 

BWidth

Blender’s bevel modifier has changed. We are optimistic we will at least get where we were in a future update but this is a major change.

Weight doesn’t show if a mirror mod is first!

During Bwidth pressing S will change the bevel from weight to angle. 

That is our only fix at the time. The solution is simple. Don’t mirror. Just kidding but if you do face this issue just apply the mirror and ssharpen and you can proceed.  This brings us to the next glitch affecting our workflow.

Bevel Weights will disappear if you apply a mirror!

This bug is another one that drives me a bit crazy but I am optimistic it will be resolved in future releases.

2.8 is treading into unfamiliar territory but since they keymap and even selection is changed it makes 2.79 a very hard road to go back to. So I understand any frustration this may cause.

 

Cslash

Cslash now can rebool. It was supposed to be capable from the get go. But now users can cut. Then get back the cut if they desire.

Works in both a destructive and non destructive state.

Classic slash still applies.

Menu Changes

The q menu also had a few adjustments.

Thin Q menu

If an object is a plane there is a special menu for it. Or just thin really. It came in handy during testing and I felt was worth keeping around.

Multi Q menu

When multiple objects are selected. Difference is in the menu.

Just trying to make booleans even more accessible.

Eevee Support

I have fallen in love with Eevee and it’s realtime performance offerings. Cycles will have a place for me.

The Q menu has options now for area lights, and suns for contact shadows and energy. I was able to find a pretty effective workflow for enabling shadows and setting up lighting.

 

Fixes

I know I am failing to mention many many fixes. There is not an operator present that AR didn’t have to touch up or refine. Or Proxe.

 

In Closing

HOPS goes on. I personally wanted this release to feel close to the last one in terms of feel and experience. That was we can radically change it but have a baseline to refer to. Active tools have become a big part of Blender and we want to make our tools behave in that same sense. Of course we don’t want to change anything to alienate users but I dream of a dynamic array spin radial system that will finally be worthy. Like the mirror.

I must shoutout Adam K, Pro3 (formerly known as proxe), Machin3 and of course AR.

AR has been with this since the start. He’s definitely one of my favorite people to bounce ideas off of. Also Boxcutter creator. I truly consider him 50% of this endeavor and a cheater in Mario Tennis.

Proxe works like a Machin3. He’s just insane. And a leaker. Proxe also was the principal designer behind the 2.8 Boxcutter rewrite so we hope you’ll be pleased with the work so far. Everyday he wakes up “how’re the tools!?” and “boxcutter broke again… its been dead for XX hours” It takes a special soul to work with me.

Adam K. new icons coming soon. I am always excited to see it.

Support

I pride myself on the support I provide. I try to respond to all emails, messages and requests that aren’t soliciting or spam. If you have an issue or need help there are support groups but also you can always email me at masterxeon1001@gmail.com

(support issues only or jobs (I’ll always take a job))

(edit: Job received!)

 

Extended Notes (these are post release fixes)

Phase 2 (8:07pm 11-30):

Fixes for Cslash with Boxcutter (now it works!)

World rotation for alt + V menu.

New Ssharp / Csharp

AR surprised me with another update to the beloved C/Ssharpen. The UI is updated and now has options for global sharpening management on the ssharp level.

• if you want ssharp to replace autosmooth values it can
• if you want autosmooth to stay where you had it manually but still sharpen without changing that. You can do that too now.

 

I am also doing content for this release as we refine it get a discussion going.

Today’s video.

 

 

Phase 3 (4:26pm 12-6):

AR added many fixes for ssharp and csharp. The helper has also received a small redesign. Csharp can now be toggled to jump into Bwidth after usage making this a one click operation.

Right click to be able to access the F6 in this configuration.

2.8 has made some changes to weight having us needing to rely on angle as a fallback system for bevelling.

AR made changes to the helper for making that process easier.

Now Csharp has an alternate workflow enabled by default to ease the transition. I plan to go over it in detail in an upcoming video.

In addition several reported bugfixes has been resolved with more to come.

 

Phase 4 (7:00pm 12-1):

• Q menu quick favorite support.

• Gizmo system for Array and Mirror added

• Cleanup and minor fixes