Poly Modeling

Picture 1. A rendering of a metallic spoon in 3D Studio MAX.

06.06.2008 Category: 3D (Modeling)
This tutorial is aimed for those who wish to learn to create 3D models of complicated objects. This is a tutorial for those who wish to practice a modeling technique before starting a more complicated project such as modeling of a human head.

In this tutorial we'll create a 3D model of a spoon like in picture 1. The spoon will be created by using a poly modeling and subdivision surface techniques. The modeling starts from a single polygon and the model is created by adding polygons to it with several different methods. The purpose of this tutorial is not to create the spoon as effectively as possible, but to familiarize you with poly modeling and the essential tools of Edit Poly modifier. This tutorial covers the use of the following tools:

• break vertex
• weld vertices
• weld edges
• copy edge
• chamfer edge
• create polygon
• cut polygon
• slice polygon
• extrude polygon

Edit Poly Sub-Object Modes

In this poly modeling tutorial we'll work in the following sub-object modes of Edit Poly modifier:

Vertex sub-object mode: selections and operations are applied to vertices.

Edge sub-object mode: selections and operations are applied to edges.

Border sub-object mode: you can select all edges on the edge of the object at once.

Polygon sub-object mode: selections and operations are applied to polygons.

When modeling with polygons, it's important to understand the meaning of different sub-object modes and to be able to switch between them when necessary. Keyboard shortcuts for the sub-object modes mentioned above are 1-4.

3DS Modifiers

As an addition to Edit Poly modifier this poly modeling tutorial covers the use of the following modifiers:

Symmetry - modifier can be used to mirror an object and therefore half of a symmetrical object can be created automatically.

Meshsmooth - modifier smoothens a 3D model. In practice it means that we can crate a coarse model and let the Meshmooth modifier to smoothen it by creating a subdivision surface out of it.

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in 3D Studio MAX

While creating a 3D model it's often helpful to switch between wireframe rendering and shaded rendering (Smooth+Highlights) and to make edges of the objects visible. Keyboard shortcuts for these functions are:

F3 - Smooth+Highlights rendering / Wireframe rendering

F4 - Make edges visible (only applies to shaded rendering)

1. Begin Poly Modeling

Picture 2. The poly modeling starts with a single four-sided polygon.

The modeling starts from the handle of the spoon.

• Create a Plane object in the Left view according to picture 2.
• Set the width and length segments of the Plane to 1. Now you have created a single four sided polygon. This way the modeling starts from a single polygon.

2. Modeling With Edit Poly

Picture 3. New polygon is created by cloning an edge.

• Add Edit Poly modifier to the Plane object.
• Activate the edge sub-object mode in the Edit Poly modifier.
• Select the left-hand edge and create a new polygon by cloning it to the left according to picture 3. (An edge is cloned by moving it while pressing Shift in keyboard.)

When a polygon is created by cloning an edge it's always four-sided. A polygon can also have three sides or more than four sides. As a rule of thumb one could say that in poly modeling it's wise to aim to create the model with four-sided polygons. With four-sided polygons one can create a surface that is flawless and deforms nicely when animated. This is especially important when modeling a character.

3. New Polys by Cloning Edges

Picture 4. The 3D model is created poly by poly.

Select four edges and create new polygons by cloning them according to picture 4.

Meshsmooth & Symmetry Modifier

06.06.2008 Category: 3D (Modeling)
At this stage its a good idea to take advantage of the Symmetry modifier and the Meshsmooth modifier.

4. Clone the 3D Model

Let's clone the 3D model and add modifiers to it:

• Deactivate the edge sub-object mode and clone the whole 3D model by moving it while pressing Shift in keyboard.
• In Clone Options dialog set the object to be a Reference and click OK.

5. Add the Symmetry Modifier

Picture 1. The Symmetry modifier is added to the reference.

• Add the Symmetry modifier to the reference object.
• Select suitable mirror axis in the Symmetry modifier.
• Activate the Mirror mode in the Symmetry modifier and move the mirror plane to the edge of the model. The model should now look like in picture 1.

6. Add the Meshsmooth Modifier

Picture 2. The Meshsmooth modifier is added to the reference.

• Add the Meshsmooth modifier to the reference object.
• Set Iterations to 2. The model should now look like in picture 2.

7. Continue Polygon Modeling

Picture 3. Four new polygons are created by cloning edges.

Let's go on with the polygon modeling. The modeling work is still done with the original coarse model. Next to it we see in real time how the final mirrored and smoothed (subdivided) model builds up.

• Activate the edge sub-object mode and select an edge from the end of the model and create four new polygons by cloning edges according to picture 3.
• Place the new polygons according to picture 3.

8. Create New Polygons by Cloning Edges

Picture 4. Three new polygons are created.

• Select three edges from the lower part of the spoon and create three new polygons by cloning the selected edges.
• Place the new polygons according to picture 4.

9. Weld Vertices Together

Picture 5. Vertices are welded together with Target Weld.

Activate the vertex sub-object mode and use Target Weld function to weld vertices together according to picture 5. Target Weld works like this: Click one at a time on the two vertices you wish to weld. Finally deactivate Target Weld function by clicking the right mouse button.

10. Move Vertices

Picture 6. Vertices are moved to the center of the spoon.

Switch to the Top view and move two vertices to the center of the spoon according to picture 6. Apply sections 8-10 for the upper part of the spoon as well.

11. Shape the Spoon

Picture 7. The bowl of the spoon is shaped by moving vertices down.

Move four vertices according to picture 7. The 3D model starts to resemble a spoon but it looks flat. It doesn't have enough details. Details can be added by adding new polygons to it and by moving them.

Edit Poly - Adding Details

06.06.2008 Category: 3D (Modeling)

12. Add Details With Chamfer

Picture 1. Six edges selected.

Picture 2. Chamfer function creates new edges (Edit Poly).

The edge of the spoon is too round. Let's add some definition to it with the Chamfer function. Chamfer function can be used to chamfer an edge so that it divides into two edges:

• Activate the edge sub-object mode in Edit Poly and select six edges from the upper part of the spoon according to picture 1.
• Click on Chamfer button. Click and hold the mouse button on top of some of the selected edges and move the mouse. The result should look like in picture 2.

13. Break Vertices

Picture 3. Break function creates new vertices (Edit Poly).

The spoon still needs more details:

• Activate the vertex sub-object mode in Edit Poly and select two vertices according to picture 3.
• Click Break button in Edit Poly modifier. Break function divides the common vertex of the polygons. As a result there are as many vertices as there are corners of the polygons.

14. Move Vertices

Picture 4. Vertices are separated and moved with Edit Poly modifier.

Two vertices have become eight vertices. Place vertices according to picture 4.

15. Weld With Target Weld

Picture 5. Vertices are welded with Edit Poly's Target Weld function.

Weld vertices which are close to each other by using Target Weld function according to picture 5.

16. Cut Polygons

Picture 6. Cutting polys with Edit Poly modifier.

Activate the edge sub-object mode in Edit Poly and use the Cut function twice to divide a polygon into three parts according to picture 6. In this situation the Cut function works like this:

• Activate Cut function in Edit Poly
• Click on the edge of the polygon
• Click on the opposite edge of the polygon
• Right click to deactivate the Cut function

(Cut-function could also be used to Cut a polygon between a vertex and an edge.)

17. Move Vertices

Picture 7. Moving vertices with Edit Poly modifier.

Shape the spoon by activating the vertex sub-object mode in Edit Poly and by moving vertices according to picture 7.

18. Create New Polygons

Picture 8. New polygons with the Create function (Edit Poly).

Next the hole in the spoon will be filled. Activate the polygon sub-object mode in Edit Poly and create three new four-sided polygons according to picture 8. A new polygon is created like this:

• Click the Create button in Edit Poly
• Click on the vertex where the first corner of the polygon will be
• Click on the vertex where the second corner of the polygon will be
• Click on the vertex where the third corner of the polygon will be
• Click twice on the vertex where the fourth corner of the polygon will be

19. Shape the Spoon

Picture 9. Shaping the lower part of the spoon.

• Orbit the user view so that you can see the bottom of the spoon.
• Activate the vertex sub-object mode in Edit Poly and shape the lower part of the spoon by moving vertices according to picture 9.

20. Definition With Slice Plane

Picture 10. Adding definition with the Slice function (Edit Poly).

Next we'll add more definition to the handle of the spoon. We'll use the Slice function and slice polygons according to picture 10:

• Activate the polygon sub-object mode in Edit Poly and select four polygons according to picture 10.
• Activate the Slice Plane function. A yellow plane appears. If necessary move and rotate the yellow plane according to picture 10.
• Click the Slice button. The selected polygons are now sliced according to the slice plane. Finally click the Slice Plane button again to deactivate it.

21. Shape the Handle

Picture 11. A curved handle of the spoon.

Activate the vertex sub-object mode in Edit Poly and shape the handle of the spoon by moving vertices according to picture 11.

22. Polygons With Scale Function

Picture 12. The end of the spoon.

• Orbit the user view to match picture 12, activate the edge sub-object mode in Edit Poly and select four edges surrounding the hole in the end of the spoon.
• Activate Scale function in the top panel. Press Shift in keyboard and create new polygons by cloning the selected edges with the scale tool. The result should be similar to picture 12.

23. Clone Edges

Picture 13. Polygons by cloning edges.

Create two new polygons by cloning edges according to picture 13.

24. Edit Poly's Target Weld

Picture 14. Edges are joined with the Target Weld function (Edit Poly).

• Activate the edge sub-object mode and Target Weld function in Edit Poly.
• First click on the lower edge and then click on the upper edge. Edges are welded together according to picture 14. Finally click on Target Weld button again to deactivate it.

25. Fill the Hole

Picture 15. The hole is filled with the Create function (Edit Poly).

Fill the hole in the end by activating the polygon sub-object mode in Edit Poly and using the Create function to create a four-sided polygon according to picture 15.

26. Move Vertices to the Center

Picture 16. Vertices are moved to the center of the spoon.

• Switch to the Back view and activate the vertex sub-object mode in Edit Poly.
• Select three vertices in the end of the spoon and place them in to the center of the spoon according to picture 16.

27. Edit Poly's Extrude

Picture 17. Polygons in the end are selected.

Picture 18. The handle of the spoon is extended.

Let's extend the handle of the spoon.

• Activate the polygon sub-object mode in Edit Poly and select all seven polygons from the end of the spoon according to picture 17.
• Click on the Extrude button. Click and hold the mouse button on top of the polygons and move the mouse.
• Place the new polygons according to picture 18.

28. Remove Unnecessary Polys

Picture 19. Unnecessary polygons.

Because of the Extrude function there are four unnecessary polygons in the handle of the spoon. Select the unnecessary polygons according to picture 19 and erase them by pressing delete button in keyboard.

29. The 3D Model of a Spoon is Complete

Picture 20. The structure of the complete 3D model of the spoon.

Now the 3D model of the spoon is complete and it's structure should match the structure of the spoon in picture 20. Finalize the spoon by moving polygons, edges and vertices. View the model from all angles, fix errors and shape the spoon to your liking.