Presently, 3D modeling and animations are being used in various industries, including video games, movies, publishing, architecture, medical science, geology and others. 3D modeling is the creation of 3D images of different objects, where it is mathematically represented in three dimensions. Here, you will come to know about the different types of 3D modeling. At the outset, developing these animations call for creativity and an advanced knowledge on software.
Common techniques used in 3D modeling
Subdivision/Box modeling
This is a type of polygonal modeling, where the artist uses a geometric shape, like a cube, cylinder or sphere and shapes it until the intended appearance is achieved. Box modelers carry out the process in different stages. They start with a low-resolution mesh and then refines the shape. Then they sub-divides the mesh, ensuring that the hard edges are smoothened out and add the necessary detail. They repeat the process of refining and subdividing, till enough polygonal detail is present in the mesh, that can convey the desired concept. Box modeling is one of the most common polygonal 3D techniques and is used in combination with the edge modeling ones. Read More
Contour/Edge modeling
Edge modeling is another type of polygonal technique, although it is different from box technique. In this process, the modelers develop the model piece by piece, instead of refining a primitive shape. This is done by placing the loops of polygons along the outlines and filling the gaps that lie between them. This process is applied, as it is difficult to complete certain meshes through box technique. For instance, the human face cannot be completed only through this method. In that case, you can collaborate with one of the reputed modeling companies to get these models designed. Their experts can help you to leverage the potential of 3D modeling technology with dexterity and develop the desired models.
Spline/NURBS modeling
This type of technique is extensively used in the industrial and automotive processes. A NURBS mesh does not have any edge, face or vertices. These models come with surfaces that can be interpreted smoothly. The modelers can develop the concept by lofting a mesh between the splines. NURBS curves are developed using a tool, similar to the pen tool used in Adobe Photoshop or MS Paint. The modelers draw the curve in the 3D space and edit them my moving the control vertices, which is a series of handles. The curves are to be placed along prominent contours and the space between them is automatically interpolated by the 3D modelling programs. Alternatively, you can also create a NURBS curve using a profile curve, revolving it around a central axis. This is one of the most extensively used 3D model design techniques used to develop objects like vases, wine glasses and plates, that are radical in nature. Read More
Sub-division modeling
Sub-division modeling is created by mixing polygonal and NURBS modeling techniques. In this hybrid process, a polygon model helps in creating 3D models, which are then converted into sub-division models. The artist enjoys control over the refinement of the 3D model in certain areas. Besides, they can easily transfer these models between various software. The polygon needs to be subdivided and refined, until the details are clear enough to display the desired model. With greater subdivision, the surface becomes smoother.
Digital sculpting
The tech industry has integrated various 3D modeling processes, that they call disruptive technologies. The experts use advanced 3D modeling software to develop these models. The automobile industry has also evolved, with these technologies making their way into the product development and marketing strategies. Digital sculpting is a type of disruptive technology, and it has leveraged the 3D modeling process to a great extent. The modelers now need not carry out the painstaking constraints of edge flow and topography. This enables them to design different types of 3D models, in a way similar to the process of sculpting digital clay.
Here, the meshes are organically created. A tablet device is used to shape the model, just like a sculptor uses a brush on chunks of clay. With digital sculpting, creature and character sculpting has reached newer levels. The modelers can carry out the process much faster and with greater efficiency. The artists can work with meshes containing high resolution, with millions of polygons. Read More
Procedural modeling
Procedural modeling refers to the 3D design process of generating models algorithmically. Unlike other processes, these are not created manually by the artist. Here, the objects and scenes are developed on the basis of user-defined parameters or rules. In various environment modeling packages, the modelers can create entire landscapes by modifying the parameters like elevation range and foliage density. They can also choose from landscapes like coastal areas, desert or alpine. These 3D modeling methods are also implemented for creating 3D models for games.
Procedural technique is extensively used in organic objects like foliage and trees, where the complexity and variations are more infinite. These models are extremely difficult to be drawn by hand. These objects can further be tweaked through various editable settings. For instance, you can change the density of branches, height of tree trunks, curls and angles, as per your needs. Read More
Image-based modeling
In image-based modeling, 3D objects are derived algorithmically from a set of 2D images, that are static in nature. This type of technique is used in cases, where the modeler faces budgetary or time restrictions, and are not able to develop fully realized 3D images. This is one of the most commonly used techniques in the film industry. Over the years, image-based method is increasingly being used in the entertainment industry.
Surface modeling
Surface modeling helps in creating a 3D spline. The process involves the incorporation of a 2D spline, and it is different from NURBS. This method is primarily used to generate organic 3D models in films. It offers a good amount of flexibility to the modelers. They can easily create a 3D representation with various requirements, using geometric entities like curves or surfaces. Read More
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Maya is a versatile 3D platform which offers numerous cutting-edge tools to pull off the desired model effects. If you are a beginner in Maya, you will surely be wondering - how to use Maya for beginners? Your basic instinct would be to gain expertise of all the tools available. Trying to do so initially would not be a wise decision. In order to improve your efficiency, you need to gradually work your way through simpler tools that can speed up your productivity significantly.
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Among the plethora of tools available on Maya’s dashboard, usage of 5 selected tools can help you master various Maya modeling techniques. The tools are being dwelt upon below.
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Lattice Tool
Maya streamlines the process of lattice modeling with feature-packed lattice tool which can come in handy for beginners. If you are working with a high-resolution mesh, you often have to grapple with the challenge of tweaking scores of vertices and edges to get the perfect outcome. This is strenuous and time-consuming. Steer clear of the drudgery with lattice tool which allows you to tweak the overall shape efficiently in a collective manner.
The lattice tool is clustered with animation tools. You will not find it on polygon tool panel. Just try your hand on the tool for minor modeling requirements and you would be amazed to find that particular shapes can be modeled quickly with perfection. You may, however, run into bugs and abnormal behavior rarely. To overcome this, the creation of a new save point is recommended prior to tool usage. Once you are done with the lattice tool, delete the history.
Soft Select Tool
If you are a novice to Maya’s organic modeling, you might have experienced the monotony associated with individual movement of each vertex. You can surmount this with the Soft Select function which facilitates modification of the shape of created mesh in a fast and efficient manner. The function imparts a controllable fall off radius to each edge, face selection or vertex. As soon as the soft selection is activated, selection of a single vertex becomes possible. As the vertex would be translated in space, the adjacent vertices would also respond to your action to a limited extent because they would be pushed some distance far from the selected vertex. You can browse through YouTube videos on this subject to get practical insights into the functioning of the tool.
The transitions accomplished through Soft Selection function are smoother compared to other methods. Hence, they are perfect for organic character modeling particularly for the seamless building of shapes that require more subtlety such as facial expressions, muscles, etc.
Duplicate Special Command
You can easily replicate shapes, as many as you wish, and individually translate, rotate, scale or execute other function on the instanced copies using ‘Duplicate Special’ command. The problem that you come across while modeling regularly spaced elements, fence or circular patterns, can be alleviated with this command.
Suppose you are trying to model an architectural masterpiece that would feature a number of columns equidistantly placed in a circular pattern. You need to just set the pivot of the first column at the origin and then invoke the duplicate special command for creation of the required number of duplicates in a single stroke. Each column would be spontaneously rotated by 10o pivoted along the origin. You can browse YouTube videos to get practical insights into the efficacy of the command. The command can help in pacing up your modeling in Maya by painting attributes on a large number of duplicates set along a patterned shape.
The Relax Brush
The models created by novices in the field of organic modeling often turn out to be blobby i.e. lumps are evident in shape after being smoothed. Dedicated tool panel for sculpting is not available in Maya 3D modeling software. However, this deficiency is made by sculpting brushes among which ‘Relax Brush’ is highly useful.
With the application of this brush, the surface of an object can be normalized through averaging of the spacing parameters amidst the vertices. The model’s silhouette would remain intact. Just stroking once with a relax brush, the lumpiness and irregular shaping of the organic model would be eliminated.
In order to access the relax tool, you need to select the polygonal shape in object mode. Keep the right mouse button pressed till a menu pops up. From the ‘Paint’ option, choose ‘Sculpt’ and then navigate to the ‘Sculpt Parameters’ tab for selecting the relax brush. The radius of the brush size and opacity or strength of the brush can be changed from brush tab. For normalizing the mesh, you need to move the brush atop the surface of the chosen model. In a Wacom graphics tablet, this is accomplished fairly easily and swiftly. But, on other devices too, the stellar effect can be achieved.
Quick Select Sets Tool
Often, you have come across a peculiar situation with custom 3d modeling in Maya. After a complex set of faces has been selected with much effort for carrying out some mesh related functions, you have moved on to concentrate on the subsequent task. Suddenly, the realization strikes you that a minute tweaking needs to be done on the previous work. As the selection set is no longer available, you have to carry out the tedious process all over again. You can avoid this by saving your selection sets so that adjustments on them can be done rapidly in easy manner at a later period.
Saving the selection set is really easy. After selecting the edges, vertices or faces that you have to work on, navigate to the Create menu for choosing ‘Quick Select Sets’. Name the set and click OK. You can also use ‘add to shelf’ if you choose to access the set by clicking shelf icon. In order to select the set later, you have to navigate to Edit menu and then select ‘Quick Select Sets’. From the list, choose the desired set. The process would save your time and cut tediousness out of repetitive work.
Walk Tool
With the help of ‘Walk Tool’ in Maya, you can exercise control over the perspective camera. This would be similar to the settings in games wherein first-person camera can be intuitively controlled.
You can press the hotkey Alt + X to arrive at the Walk Tool. Alternately, you can navigate to the tool by clicking on View menu and selecting Camera Tools from the dropdown within which Walk Tool is available in panel menu. You would notice that the shape of the cursor has changed into a multi-directional arrow when Maya is switched to walk mode. Also, a heads-up display message would show up at the lower part of the viewport.
It is important to note that after you have activated the walk mode, the speed of movement would be controlled by the mouse wherein the camera movement’s direction would be controlled by the keyboard. For walking through the scene, you have to use the keyboard and mouse at the same time in tandem. Music streaming for pandora radio 1 3 download free. Middle click with W key would allow you in moving forward at a slow pace.
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After mastering the tools, you will be able to effectively leverage various 3d common modeling techniques. You can utilize these techniques to increase your productivity while creating models. Gradually, you will get efficient enough to make the perfect models according to the client’s requirements.