cheat sheets.

--- blender version 2	Mon Dec 21 23:36:23 -0800 2009
+++ blender version 9	Tue Feb 02 13:11:31 -0800 2010
@@ -1,23 +1,87 @@
 No control buttons
  - everything is done directly with the keyboard keys
 
+Adding a new object
+ - Space Bar
+
 Mark all objects
  - A
 
 Delete all currently marked objects
  - X
 
 Scale all objects
  - N
  - <Tab>
  - <Tab>... until in the object properties window
    the scale appears
 
 Blender Units are all millimeter --> 12.123 --> 12 mm --> 1.2 cms
 
 Remove duplicate vertices - important for gcode generation
 
 1. Hit Tab to enter Mesh Edit mode
 2. Hit A to select all nodes (everything goes yellow and purple)
 3. Type W6 or select Mesh -> Vertices -> Remove Doubles
+
+
+A few UI tips:
+
+ - the 'A' key toggles between select all and select none
+ - the right key is how you select objects
+ - the tab key will take you between object and mesh mode
+ - holding middle click will allow you to move your view. scrolling it will
+ zoom.
+ - the num pad keys will give you good default views if you get lost
+ - the 'X' key will allow you to delete objects, like the default cube when you
+ open blender
+
+Find non-manifold points
+
+Non-manifold points are points that just don't make sense in the real world.
+These can be hanging points, internal surfaces, holes, zero-thickness walls,
+etc. Unfortunately there is no way to automatically fix them in software. The
+best you can do is to identify the problems and then attempt to fix them.
+
+1. Hit Tab to enter Mesh Edit mode
+2. Hit A to deselect all nodes (everything goes gray and pink)
+3. Select Select -&gt; Non-Manifold
+
+If there are non-manifold points, they will be selected. If nothing happens,
+you're golden.
+If there are problems, then you can see what's wrong and attempt to fix it.
+
+Importing SVGs
+
+ - import and then
+ - Alt-C converts them to mesh that can be extruded and worked on
+
+Extrude (create a new point)
+ - E (z,y,x to lock to one coordinate)
+
+Goto (move existing point)
+ - G (z,y,x to lock to one coordinate)
+
+Create a face between points
+ - Select the two points (right mouse button and shift-RMB)
+ - F
+ - shift-F to create face using triangles
+
+Converting Fonts to Meshes
+ - Having entered the text, switch to object mode
+ - (Edit mode is used to enter text)
+ - Add a new object
+ - Select the old text object
+ - Alt-C
+ - Text is no mesh!
+
+Move cursor to the origin
+ - Shift-C in edit mode (and object mode?)
+
+Join / Combine meshes
+ - Object Mode --&gt; J
+ - Edit Mode --&gt; P
+
+Tutorials
+ - http://www.rab3d.com/rab3d/tutorial/608/tutorial_608-1.html