Creating Meshes – Blender 2.80 Fundamentals

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This tutorial is part of the Blender Fundamentals series, produced by Dillon Gu.

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Creating Meshes for Blender #

Creating meshes is the foundation of 3D modeling in Blender. Meshes are composed of vertices, edges, and faces that together form complex 3D shapes. This guide will provide an overview of the various methods to create and edit meshes in Blender.

1. Adding Basic Mesh Primitives #

Blender comes with a variety of pre-built mesh primitives that can serve as a starting point for your models.

To add a mesh primitive:

1. Ensure you are in Object Mode.
2. Press Shift + A or click the ‘Add’ button in the 3D viewport.
3. Select ‘Mesh’ from the ‘Add’ menu and choose a primitive, such as Cube, Sphere, or Cylinder.

2. Custom Meshes from Scratch #

You can also create custom meshes from scratch using Blender’s various mesh editing tools.

2.1 Vertex by Vertex #

1. Add a new mesh object or start with an existing one.
2. Enter Edit Mode by selecting the mesh and pressing Tab.
3. Press Shift + A to add a new vertex, edge, or face.
4. Use Blender’s transformation tools (G for Grab, R for Rotate, and S for Scale) to manipulate and position the newly added vertex.
5. Continue adding and positioning vertices, then create edges and faces by selecting multiple vertices and pressing F.

2.2 Using the Knife Tool #

1. Start with a mesh object in Edit Mode.
2. Press K or click the ‘Knife’ tool in the Tool Shelf to activate the Knife tool.
3. Click on the mesh to create new vertices and edges, drawing a shape or cutting through existing geometry.
4. Press ‘Enter’ to confirm the cuts or ‘Esc’ to cancel.

3. Modifying Meshes #

There are numerous mesh editing tools in Blender to help you create and modify complex shapes.

3.1 Extrude #

Extruding extends the selected component, creating new geometry. To extrude:

1. Select a vertex, edge, or face.
2. Press E or click the ‘Extrude’ tool in the Tool Shelf.
3. Move the extruded component and click to confirm the extrusion.

3.2 Loop Cut #

Loop cuts add edge loops to your mesh, allowing you to create more complex shapes and control subdivision. To perform a loop cut:

1. Press Ctrl + R or click the ‘Loop Cut’ tool in the Tool Shelf.
2. Hover over the mesh to preview the loop cut’s position.
3. Click to place the loop cut, then move the edge loop to the desired location and click again to confirm.

4. Advanced Mesh Editing Techniques #

4.1 Boolean Operations #

Boolean operations combine or subtract mesh objects, creating complex shapes from simple primitives.

1. Add two or more mesh objects that intersect each other.
2. Select one of the objects and add a ‘Boolean’ modifier from the Modifier Properties tab.
3. Choose the desired operation (Union, Difference, or Intersect) and select the other object as the target.
4. Apply the modifier and delete the target object if necessary.

Title: Blender Wiki Guide: Creating Meshes

Creating Meshes for Blender #

Creating meshes is the foundation of 3D modeling in Blender. Meshes are composed of vertices, edges, and faces that together form complex 3D shapes. This guide will provide an overview of the various methods to create and edit meshes in Blender.

1. Adding Basic Mesh Primitives #

Blender comes with a variety of pre-built mesh primitives that can serve as a starting point for your models.

To add a mesh primitive:

1. Ensure you are in Object Mode.
2. Press Shift + A or click the ‘Add’ button in the 3D viewport.
3. Select ‘Mesh’ from the ‘Add’ menu and choose a primitive, such as Cube, Sphere, or Cylinder.

2. Custom Meshes from Scratch #

You can also create custom meshes from scratch using Blender’s various mesh editing tools.

2.1 Vertex by Vertex #

1. Add a new mesh object or start with an existing one.
2. Enter Edit Mode by selecting the mesh and pressing Tab.
3. Press Shift + A to add a new vertex, edge, or face.
4. Use Blender’s transformation tools (G for Grab, R for Rotate, and S for Scale) to manipulate and position the newly added vertex.
5. Continue adding and positioning vertices, then create edges and faces by selecting multiple vertices and pressing F.

2.2 Using the Knife Tool #

1. Start with a mesh object in Edit Mode.
2. Press K or click the ‘Knife’ tool in the Tool Shelf to activate the Knife tool.
3. Click on the mesh to create new vertices and edges, drawing a shape or cutting through existing geometry.
4. Press ‘Enter’ to confirm the cuts or ‘Esc’ to cancel.

3. Modifying Meshes #

There are numerous mesh editing tools in Blender to help you create and modify complex shapes.

3.1 Extrude #

Extruding extends the selected component, creating new geometry. To extrude:

1. Select a vertex, edge, or face.
2. Press E or click the ‘Extrude’ tool in the Tool Shelf.
3. Move the extruded component and click to confirm the extrusion.

3.2 Loop Cut #

Loop cuts add edge loops to your mesh, allowing you to create more complex shapes and control subdivision. To perform a loop cut:

1. Press Ctrl + R or click the ‘Loop Cut’ tool in the Tool Shelf.
2. Hover over the mesh to preview the loop cut’s position.
3. Click to place the loop cut, then move the edge loop to the desired location and click again to confirm.

4. Advanced Mesh Editing Techniques #

4.1 Boolean Operations #

Boolean operations combine or subtract mesh objects, creating complex shapes from simple primitives.

1. Add two or more mesh objects that intersect each other.
2. Select one of the objects and add a ‘Boolean’ modifier from the Modifier Properties tab.
3. Choose the desired operation (Union, Difference, or Intersect) and select the other object as the target.
4. Apply the modifier and delete the target object if necessary.

4.2 Mesh Cleanup #

It is essential to maintain clean and efficient topology when creating meshes. Use Blender’s mesh cleanup tools to remove duplicate vertices, fill holes, or dissolve unnecessary edges:

1. In Edit Mode, select the mesh components you want to clean up.
2. Press W or access the ‘Mesh’ menu at the top-left of the 3D viewport to access mesh cleanup operations like ‘Remove Doubles’, Merge by Distance’, ‘Fill Holes’, or ‘Dissolve Edges’.

4.3 Bevel #

Beveling adds a chamfer or round edge between two connected edges or faces, creating a smoother transition between surfaces. To bevel:

1. In Edit Mode, select the edge(s) or face(s) you want to bevel.
2. Press Ctrl + B or click the ‘Bevel’ tool in the Tool Shelf.
3. Move the mouse to adjust the bevel size, and scroll the mouse wheel to adjust the number of segments.
4. Click to confirm the bevel operation.

5. Creating Meshes from Curves or Text #

You can create meshes from curve or text objects in Blender, providing a different approach for generating shapes or designs.

5.1 Meshes from Curves #

1. Add a curve object (e.g., Bezier, Circle, or Path) or import a curve from an external file (SVG or AI format).
2. Edit the curve using the curve editing tools in Blender.
3. Once you are satisfied with the curve shape, convert it to a mesh by selecting the curve object and pressing Alt + C or choosing ‘Convert to Mesh’ from the Object menu.
4. The curve object is now a mesh, which can be edited using Blender’s mesh editing tools.

5.2 Meshes from Text #

1. Add a text object by pressing Shift + A and choosing ‘Text’.
2. In Edit Mode, edit the text content and formatting.
3. Convert the text to a mesh by selecting the text object and pressing Alt + C or choosing ‘Convert to Mesh’ from the Object menu.
4. The text object is now a mesh, which can be edited using Blender’s mesh editing tools.

6. Mesh Modeling Tips #

1. Always strive for clean and efficient topology, maintaining quads (four-sided faces) whenever possible.
2. Use a combination of basic and advanced mesh editing tools to achieve the desired shapes and details.
3. Utilize reference images or blueprints to create accurate and detailed models.
4. Learn and use Blender’s keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow.
5. Experiment with different modeling techniques, such as box modeling, edge modeling, and sculpting, to develop a versatile skillset.

By understanding and applying the various methods of creating and editing meshes in Blender, you can generate an array of models for different purposes, from game assets and architectural visualizations to 3D printed objects and animated characters.

7. Using Add-ons for Mesh Creation #

Blender has a wealth of add-ons, both built-in and third-party, that can aid in mesh creation and modeling. Add-ons can provide specialized tools, automated workflows, and new modeling techniques that can enhance your modeling process.

7.1 Enabling Built-in Add-ons #

1. Go to ‘Edit’ > ‘Preferences’.
2. Select the ‘Add-ons’ tab.
3. Search for and enable built-in add-ons like ‘Extra Objects’, ‘LoopTools’, or ‘F2’.

7.2 Installing Third-party Add-ons #

1. Download the desired third-party add-on (typically in .zip format).
2. In Blender, go to ‘Edit’ > ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the ‘Add-ons’ tab and click the ‘Install’ button.
4. Locate the downloaded .zip file and click ‘Install Add-on’.
5. Search for and enable the newly installed add-on in the ‘Add-ons’ tab.

8. Creating Meshes with Sculpting #

Sculpting is an alternative approach to mesh creation that allows you to shape and manipulate 3D forms in a more organic and intuitive manner, much like working with clay.

8.1 Starting with a Base Mesh #

1. Add a base mesh, such as a cube or sphere, to the scene.
2. Subdivide the mesh or apply a Subdivision Surface modifier to increase its resolution.

8.2 Sculpting Mode #

1. Select the mesh object and switch to Sculpt Mode.
2. Choose from various sculpting brushes, such as Draw, Smooth, or Inflate, to modify the mesh’s surface.
3. Adjust brush settings like size, strength, and falloff to achieve the desired sculpting effect.
4. Use tools like DynTopo (Dynamic Topology) or MultiRes (Multiresolution) modifiers to control mesh resolution during the sculpting process.

9. Mesh Optimization and Level of Detail (LOD) #

In many applications, such as games and real-time rendering, it’s essential to optimize mesh geometry for performance. Level of Detail (LOD) techniques involve creating multiple versions of a mesh with varying degrees of complexity and detail, which are then displayed based on camera distance or other criteria.

9.1 Creating LOD Meshes #

1. Duplicate the original high-resolution mesh.
2. Use modifiers like Decimate, Remesh, or manual mesh editing techniques to simplify the geometry.
3. Repeat the process to create multiple LOD meshes with progressively lower levels of detail.

9.2 Implementing LOD in Blender or Game Engines #

1. Use Blender’s built-in LOD system or a third-party LOD add-on to define LOD settings and distances.
2. For game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, import the LOD meshes and set up the LOD system within the engine’s LOD tools.

By continuing to develop your mesh creation skills and exploring the wide range of tools and techniques available in Blender, you’ll be better equipped to tackle any modeling challenge and create stunning 3D assets for your projects.