3D Modelling / Exercises 1-4

28.04.24 - ? (Week 1 - Week ?)

Janaan Ahmed / 0353333

3D Modeling / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Exercises

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Jump to:

• Exercise 1: Primitive Modeling
• Exercise 2: Cylindrical Modeling
• Exercise 3: Box Modeling
• Feedback
• Reflection

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Lectures

Week 1: Introduction + Blender UI

Topology, wireframe arrangement 

(1)wireframe quality is equally important as the (2)surface

Viewport

1. Rotate view: MMB
2. Pan/ Track view: [Shift] + MMB
3. Zoom: [CTRL] + MMB
4. View Axis (Z-up system): ↑Z+ ↙︎Y+ →X+ (perspective view) or click specific axis for orthographic view (all parallel/ no depth)

UI Customisation

• Editor --> Outliner
• Properties
• Timeline

To split tab into 2 views, click and drag any corner of tab (+ sign with appear)

Fig 1.1: Splitting tabs

To join tabs, click top corner and drag towards any window you want to combine with

Fig 1.2: Joining tabs/editors

Select & Transform

- Select: Click object

- Move/translate: 

     – Move along a specific axis

     – White circle = free move

- Rotate

     – Rotate along a specific axis

     – White circle = free rotation

- Scale

     – Scale along a specific axis = non-uniform scaling

     – White circle = uniform scaling

Shortcuts

• T: Toolbox
• N: Properties
• G: Move*
• R: Rotate*
• S: Scale*
• ALT + G: Reset location
• ALT + R: Reset rotation
• ALT + S: Reset scale

**Note: specific axis (press x, y, or z), specific unit (type value, then left-click)

Pivot Point (Origin)

Pivot point = point for transformation

Default = object's centre

Example: Making a door swing (pivot point shifted to side).

1. Change Options > Transform > Origins ☑️
2. Then move/rotate pivot point along axis.
3. Uncheck 'Origins' after moving.
4. To reset: Select object; 3D viewport menu > Object > Set Origin > Origin to Geometry

Fig 1.3: Options for applying transform to pivot point

Fig 1.4: To reset origin 

Transform Orientation

Example: you rotate an object to 45°. 

To move or scale the object along the axes corresponding to its rotation.

• Global: default axes
• Local: along the object's axes

Fig 1.5: Transform Orientations tab

Adding + Deleting Objects

• Objects can be selected by clicking it, or under the Outliner. 
• Create collection and drag objects to group them. 
• To duplicate a collection, R-click > Duplicate Collection

Fig 1.6: Adding objects

Shortcuts: 

• [Shift] + A : Add object
• [Shift] + D: Duplicate object
• [Select] + X > Delete: Delete

Quad View

• [ctrl] + [alt] + Q: Single View –> Quad View*

To maximise an orthographic/quad view:

1. Side bar 'N' > View > Quad View > untick Lock Rotation
2. Mouse over to any quad view
3. Press [ctrl] + [alt] + Q

Fig 1.7: *Quad view (top, front, side, perspective)

To see through an object:

• Wireframe: [Shift] + Z
• Toggle X-Ray: [Alt] +  Z (Only in solid mode)

Fig 1.8: 'Opacity' settings

Parenting Objects

• For one object to follow another's transformation, click > Object > Parent > Object (shortcut: CTRL + P) 
• Note: The last object to be clicked acts as the 'parent'.
• To break connection, shift + click and drag child outside parent 'folder'

Duplicate as an instanced group

• [Shift] + A > Collection Instance > choose any collection to be an instanced collection
• An empty is created to transform the collection. Transform it to manipulate the transformation

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Week 2: Modifier based modeling

3D Cursor

• [Shift] + R-click to move cursor
• View coordinates of cursor by pressing 'n'
• Temporary pivot point for object selection
• Coordinates for new object creation: place cursor on object surface, [shift] + s --> 'cursor to selected', new object will be created on this surface
• [Shift] + S --> 'Cursor to world origin' to reset position

Object Management

• Create collection
• R-click > Select All Objects, to move all of them as a group

Mirroring objects

• Duplicate object [Shift] + D
• Shift pivot point using 3D cursor: Transform > Pivot Point > 3D Cursor
• Go to Object > Mirror > X Global
• OR interactive mirror [CTRL] + M, then press x, y, or z (object must be in centre)
• Make sure 3D cursor in required spot

Adding Modifiers

Things that affect outcome of object:

• Order in which modifiers are arranged
• Placement of pivot point

Basic Material

Adding colour: 

• Select object
• Properties Editor > Material Properties
• Viewport Display > Colour
• Material will be shared if duplicated from same object: delete material, and add new material. Rename and set colour
• Created materials are stored: materials can be assigned to other object from existing dropdown

Posing

• Change pivot point location (option > transform > pivot point)
• Parent objects
• Change to Local Axis
• Move as desired

Viewport Shading (Solid)

• Down Arrow Button
• Turn on shadow and adjust
• Lighting > Matcap
• Background colour can be changed from Viewport
• Change lighting in real time on Final Render Preview

Fig: Light direction and shadow strength

Fig: Changing bg colour

Fig: Changing lighting in real time

Modifier

• To alter shape: Add Modifier > Simple Deform > Bend, Twist, Taper, Stretch
• For Cylinder: Taper + Stretch is enough for now
• To stack objects: use Array, then Simple Deform

Smoothing

• Right-click > Shade Smooth
• Can only apply to round shapes excluding cylinder (for now)
• Cylinder: Shade Smooth > Object Data Properties > Normals > Auto Smooth > adjust values

Camera View

• Camera icon
• To navigate and change positioning: View > ☑️ Camera to View
• To zoom, uncheck camera to view.
• Unlock Camera View after finishing
• Click Overlay (switch it off) to hide grids and cursors
• To save: View > Viewport Render Image
• Image > Save As... PNG (Color Depth: 16 Compression: 100)

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Week 3: Cylindrical Modeling

Polygonal (Flat Surface: Low Poly & High Poly)

• Game Industry (Polycount)
• 3D Animation
• Architectural
• 3D VR, XR

NURBS Modeling (Bezier Curve-like)

• Industrial Design
• Software like Rhino, Maya

Fig: Difference between NURBS & Polygon (not as smooth) on Edit Mode

Note: You can add more components to primitive objects through initial settings when you first create it/add mesh.

Polygon Components

1. Vertex
2. Edge
3. Face
4. Normal (Surface Appearance)

Edit Mode

• [TAB] to switch from Object Mode to Edit Mode
• Vertex Select, Edge Select, Face Select (Surface)
• [CTRL] + 1, 2, or 3 to switch between selection
• To smoothen polygon: Normal or Modifier
• Polygonal faces: Quad,Triangle, N-Gon
• To delete edge: select edge > click X > Dissolve Edge
• Select an edge loop: Alt + L-Click

Modeling Workflow

Low Polygon –> Smooth Modifier –> Adjust sharpness/smoothness of corners

Smoothing Polygon

• ON OBJECT MODE: Add Modifier > Subdivision Surface (shortcut: [CTRL] + 1 or 2) Note: 1 refers to level 1 subdivision. Do not exceed 2
• [CTRL] + 0 to unsmooth
• Then R-Click > Shade Smooth (and Shade Flat)

Fig: Subdivision Surface Modifier > Levels Viewport: 1/2

• Sharpen edge > Edge Select (CTRL + 2) > Item > Crease 
• Red indicates crease effect
• Shade smooth might weird so go to Object Data Properties > Normals > Auto Smooth

Fig: Apply crease on edge

Normals

• To view normal, go to Edit Mode> Overlay drop-down > Normals > click 3rd slot
• Blue 'needles' indicate normals
• Normals need to be in the right direction for the face to be visible once rendered
• To flip normals, Mesh > Normals > Flip

Fig: How to view Normals

Fig: View face orientation in Object Mode (blue= outward, red= inward)

Adding Reference Image

• Go to Add > Image > Reference
• To avoid tilted image, add in maximised front orthographic (alt + Q)
• To change opacity, click image: Object Data Properties > Opacity
• To 'lock' image, disable Selectable in Outliner.

Fig: Disabling Selection of reference image

Fig: Disabling Selection of reference image (cont.)

Fig: File naming convention

Symmetrical cylinder, minimum number of faces, 8. To increase density, +4.

POLYGON MODELLING TOOLS:

Inset Face

• Subdivision on same face
• Inset face can help support appearance of base of object when smoothened
• To edit position of inset, Edge Select, ALT + L double click
• To inset faces: Edit Mode > Faces > Inset Face (shortcut= I)

Fig: Inset Faces

Bevel

• Smoothens sharp corner (makes rounded corner)
• Edit Mode: Edge > Bevel Edges (Ctrl + B)

Fig: Bevel Edge

Fig: Bevel Edge applied on Cube

Loop Cut

• Create wireframe/subdivisions along mesh 
• Edit Mode > Edge Select > Loop cut (Ctrl + R): MMB Scroll to increase loops
• Mouse over position, then L-Click and slide over mesh

Fig: Loopcut

Extrude

• Extending a region from a face (shortcut E + move up)

Fig: Extrude Region (more options)

Fig: Extrude Region in Action 

Fig: Making bottle and plates

Fig: Practical Outcome

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Week 4: Box Modeling

Note: Analyse the proportion and relative height and widths of reference object.

Box Modeling

• Use same principle used in cylindrical modelling. 
• Use fill tool to add face to edges.

Fig: Using knife tool to change polygonal face to quad or triangle

Fig: Add Image Editor to view reference image

Fig: File-saving convention (multiple copies)

In-Class Exercise

Making the tire: use dissolve edge or scale back to even out

Fig: Making the wheel

Fig: Loopcut

Fig: Turning wireframe on 

Using Mirror to construct object symmetrically

Loop-cut object in half, delete and then use mirror 

Fig: Major + Minor segment numbers

Minimum Segments to add to Torus for symmetry

• Major Segments: 8 (add +4 to increase)
• Minor Segments: 6

Fig: Creating rounded section

Fig: All faces are selectable in wireframe mode

• Select all faces on one side and delete. 
• Ensure no gaps are there between the remaining half and center line
• Select object and add modifier > Mirror > Axis: X
• Edits made to one side will follow the other.
• To apply mirror image, Mirror dropdown > Apply

Fig: Adding mirror modifier

Fig: Applying mirror

Bevel Edge

• Select edge, Edge > Bevel Edge (CTRL + B)
• Adjust width and shape
• Will only detect quad surfaces!

Knife Tool

• Used to restructure rebuild edge loop
• To escape knife tool, click [esc], then move tool
• To align front and back edges, use x-ray and use scale

Note:

• Loop-cut cannot be applied on n-gons
• Shortcut to connect vertex points: [ J ]
• If loop-cut is uneven, switch pivot point to median point, then use scale to straighten the lines (trust your eye)

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Week 5: Organic Modeling

Boolean

1. Union: no intersected object
2. Intersection: 
3. Different

TYPES:

1. Modifier

• Add Modifier > Boolean > Intersection/Union/Difference
• Object >Viewport Display > Display as Wire/Bound (depending on personal preference)

Note: Ensure slight offset of objects in alignment otherwise clean up becomes a little difficult

2. Bool Tool

• Select second object last (first object will disappear)
• Auto Boolean > Applied directly
• Brush Boolean > Can view and alter before applying

Eliminating N-Gon surfaces using knife & loop-cut tool

• After using Boolean, it is important to 'clean up' your work for smoothing for a high-poly object
• Use the knife or loop-cut tool on n-gon surfaces to create clean quad surfaces.
• Use mirror 
• Knife: Make sure you actually click on the vertex (consider using snap to vertex)
• To merge vertices auto merge vertices
• Circular parts: apply inset (try to avoid overlapping vertices)
• For sharper corners > add more divisions knife + edge-loop
• Finish off by applying shade smooth

fig: auto merge vertices

More general shortcuts:

• [CMD] + L to select all
• / to isolate or toggle local view

Combining objects

• Select both objects: Join
• Select faces then, bridge edge loop

TRY ON CAR EXERCISE FROM WEEK 4

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Week 6: Look Development

Industry Workflow

1. Pre-Production

• Concept Art
• Model Sheet
• Blueprint

2. Modeling department subdivided:

• Character
• Environmental
• Prop

3. Look Department: 

• Materials (physical property: glass, wood, rubber)
• Texture (pattern or surface: wood texture, grain)
• Lighting/ Render (Output on Blender: Eevee or Cycle)
• Camera ( Frame, lens)

Camera

Click Outliner

Object data properties >

• Focal Length (default: 50mm, human eye: 35mm)
• Narrow lens: Distorted, Fish Eye, Extreme perspective
• Wider lens: 
• Lens unit: Millimeters or Field of View (Higher: Fish-eye lens Lower: telephoto lens)
• S
• Clip start: near plane, end: far end. (render only appears within range.)
• Depth of Field (Make sure to ☑️ Depth of Field in solid viewport options)
• Safe Areas
• Composition Guide

Fig: Clip Start

Fig: Depth of Field (adjusting Aperture F-Stops)

Fig: Safe Areas

Rendering

1. Workbench
2. Eevee: Built for speed & quality (Realtime) RTX GPu
3. Cycle: Realistic (may lag): at least i5
1. Eliminate noise by keeping low sample. Max sample Based on RAM size. switch on denoise

Render is based on Scene World not Scene Lights

Note:

• Split view into solid and render mode while working (render to view final output)
• Remember to frequently SAVE FILE due to a bit of lagging
• Material> Surface> Base Colour
• Bloom: subtle pretty glowy highlights
• Specular: reflectiveness of the object

Fig: Bloom Effect

Adding Brick Texture

- Shader Editor on new panel

- Add > Brick Texture

- Preferences > Add Ons > Node Wrangler

- CTRL + T

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Lighting

Types:

1. Point: For lamps, lights

2. Sun: Exterior

3. Spot

4. Area: Like studio light

Fig: Lighting Object Data Properties

Fig: Split View (left: Camera View + Render, right: Perspective view, Solid viewport)

Fig: Adding multiple lights

Week 7: UV Unwrap & Texturing

Polygon Components

1. Vertex
2. Edge
3. Face
4. Normal
5. UV
• just like vertex
• only visible in UV editor

Opening UV Editor

1. Switch Blender workspace - UV Editing
2. Or customised workspace: Editor Type > UV Editor

UV Editor

• Viewport has 3 coordinates (x, y, z)
• UV Editor has 2 coordinates (x, y)
• In UV space, x and y coordinates are referred to as v, and u respectively 
• i.e. x=u and y=v
• Each vertex represents own space, therefore as a rule: AVOID OVERLAPPING UV IN UV EDITOR
• UV Unwrapping: Breaking down 3D surface and arranging each surface on UV space (no overlapping)
• Like unwrapping a box (box to flat paper)

Fig: Class Notes

Texturing

• Painting or adding graphic: texturing/ texture painting
• Before Texturing, output image according to size: 1024 or 2048
• Sizes according to RAM 8G, 16G, 32G >>> 512, 1024, 2048
• Import to Photoshop/other drawing software to paint
• On Blender: Assign image on colour of material (RGB colour will be replaced by image)

How to Unwrap

1. Edit mode > Shift-click all faces to view
2. UV > Export UV Layout (Output: 1024)

Remove background UV layer when exporting image

How to assign image to colour

• Cannot view on Solid mode
• View on Render or Material Mode
• Material> Base Colour > Image Texture (click small yellow button)
• Open Image

Fig: Testing it out

For downloaded images, if resolution of image is too big and doesn't fit, to make it fit perfectly go to:

UV> Pack Islands

For objects that are not a cube:

• UV only appears as cube. 
• For objects that aren't a cube we have to make our own UV.
• L-click > Project View (ideally in front orthographic view)
• For two sides of same dimensions, click both and then UV wrap project view (front view of surface)

Faster Method to select all (rearrange on drawing software)

• Mark seam edge top, bottom, one side
• UV will not work first. have to transform> apply> scale
• It appears vertically for some reason on UV space. Just rotate and scale down
• Export UV Layout to use on drawing software

Note:

Mesh > Normal > Flip

Setting

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Instructions

Exercise 1: Primitive Modeling

INSTRUCTIONS

1. IDEATION & SKETCHES

This module makes me want to create cutesy stuff. During my first try at this module, I made a strawberry-themed character. So this time, I will be making a froggy friend for that character.

Fig: Ideation sketches

2. MODELING FROGGY

After creating the overall base of the character using spheres, cylinders, and modified cubes, I began adding more details on one side of the character. I used simple deform modifiers to alter the form of the basic meshes, and used the mirror function to complete the other side of the character.

Fig: Creating froggy

3. MODELING OTHER ACCESSORIES

I wanted to give other accessories to my character

• watering can
• hat
• flower pot

And so using a similar method as above, I first assembled a watering can using modified meshes (including tourus). The underside was hollow, so I put a cylinder to cover the base. The modifiers I used include simple deform, subdivision surface, and bevel (to round some edges) 

Fig: Creating the watering can

Fig: Creating the hat and flowering pot

4. ADDING COLOUR 

After adding modifiers and shifting pivot points/origin to get my desired forms, it was time to add colour and create a posing for froggy. My initial idea was an orange theme, but I opted for a more classic look instead.

Fig: Adjusting pose and adding colour (viewport display)

5. CREATING THE SCENE

I move around the objects and create a little garden environment for the final shot. Using array I also created a stone pathway, and also a wooden ledge on the sides. Lastly I set the background colour, and adjusted lighting.

Fig: Building the environment

FINAL OUTCOME:

Fig: Final Outcome [PNG] 

Fig: Final Outcome with wireframe [PNG]

Fig: **EXTRA FOR FUN- Combined work from previous (left) and current (right) sem

Exercise 2: Cylindrical Modeling

1. INSTRUCTIONS

2. VISUAL REFERENCE

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Fig: visual reference

3. PROCESS

I use edit mode on the primitive cylinder to get the proportions of each object right. By using bevel, loop-cut, and extend, I try to build the forms while trying to maintain minimal topology. I also add the solidify modifier to add thickness to the ceramics.

Fig: Stage 1 building objects

Fig: Stage 2 applying colour

After applying colour, I made extra 'props' to complete the scene: a few berries, apples, table mat. Afterwards I arranged all the objects to create a visually pleasing composition.

Fig: Stage 3 building props (apples & berries)

FINAL OUTCOME:

Fig: Ex 2 Final Outcome - (22.05.24)

Fig: Ex 2 Final Outcome [wireframe] - (22.05.24)

Exercise 3: Box Modeling

1. INSTRUCTIONS

2. PROCESS

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FINAL OUTCOME:

Fig: Ex 3 Final Outcome- (28.05.24)

Fig: Ex 3 Final Outcome [wireframe] - (28.05.24)

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Feedback

EX 4:

Fix wireframe

 

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Reflection

Experience

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Observation

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Findings

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