trying to learn Blender 2.6? what is this black cross with red & white circle is doing? what does it mean?

Question

hello, i need little help.I'm learning blender by my own. watching videos on youtube. version i'm using is Blender 2.6. when i open the blender. it shows the same screen as shown in many tutorial. but when i click and drag on it , it doesn't seem to rotate the object (cube).Instead, where ever i click on the working screen, this black cross with red and white circle appears. though the numpad keys to rotate are working properly. what should I do?

Answer 1

The first thing to know about Blender is that you really need a 3 button mouse.



The centre click button is used a lot.



The black cross with the red and white circle is the centre point for the next item you create.



Try this: At the top left of the screen where you can see "File", "Add" etc click on ADD, you will then see "MESH" and when you mouse over MESH you will see Plane, Cube, Circle etc



After you choose one of those, it will arrive on the screen where the black cross with the red and white circle is positioned.



Hope that helps.



P.S. There are lots of getting started vids on Vimeo for Blender.

Answer 2

That is normal, if you click any where on the screen that cross will show up. If you went to your files and picked choose to put in another cube. A cube will show up where the cross is. The if you are trying rotate try pressing "Ctrl", "Alt", "R" at the same time it will let you rotate. If you just press "R" you will also be able to rotate but it will only rotate according to the mouse pointer’s location.



The number pad, that is just for point of view of the object. For example you press four, your point of view turns to the right. If you press six your point of view will turn to the left.

Answer 3

Red car racing a black car, beware.