Select Page

Modeling Introduction – Blender 2.80 Fundamentals



Blender is Free and Open Source Software
Download: https://blender.org/download
Support core Blender development – https://fund.blender.org

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

Find more free tutorials on: https://blender.org/tutorials

Follow Blender on social media:
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/blender_org
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourOwn3DSoftware

source

Modeling Introduction for Blender #

Blender is a powerful 3D modeling tool that allows artists to create detailed and complex 3D models for various purposes, such as games, animations, 3D printing, and more. This guide will introduce you to the basics of 3D modeling in Blender, covering fundamental concepts and techniques.

1. Entering Edit Mode #

To begin modeling in Blender, you’ll need to enter Edit Mode:

  1. Select the object you want to edit in Object Mode.
  2. Press Tab or click on the ‘Mode’ dropdown menu in the top-left corner of the 3D viewport and select ‘Edit Mode’.

2. Components of a Mesh #

In Blender, 3D models are composed of mesh objects, which consist of vertices, edges, and faces:

  • Vertices: The points that define the structure of a mesh.
  • Edges: The lines connecting vertices.
  • Faces: The polygons formed by connected edges.

3. Selection Modes #

In Edit Mode, you can choose from three selection modes:

  • Vertex Select: Select and manipulate individual vertices.
  • Edge Select: Select and manipulate edges.
  • Face Select: Select and manipulate faces.

To switch between selection modes, click the corresponding icon in the top-left corner of the 3D viewport or press 1 (Vertex), 2 (Edge), or 3 (Face) on the keyboard.

4. Basic Modeling Operations #

Here are some essential modeling operations in Blender:

4.1 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.

4.2 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.

4.3 Subdivide #

Subdividing a mesh adds new vertices, edges, and faces, increasing the mesh’s resolution. To subdivide:

  1. Select the component(s) you want to subdivide.
  2. Press W and choose ‘Subdivide’ from the context menu, or click the ‘Subdivide’ button in the Mesh Tools panel.

5. Modifiers #

Modifiers are non-destructive operations that can be applied to mesh objects to create complex geometry, improve topology, or automate modeling tasks. Some commonly used modifiers include:

  • Subdivision Surface: Smooths and subdivides the mesh, creating a higher-resolution surface.
  • Mirror: Reflects the mesh across an axis, creating a symmetrical model.
  • Array: Creates a series of duplicates of the mesh along a specified axis.

To add a modifier:

  1. In Object Mode, select the mesh object.
  2. Go to the Properties Editor and click the ‘Modifier Properties’ tab (wrench icon).
  3. Click ‘Add Modifier’ and choose a modifier from the list.

Tips #

  1. Keep your mesh topology clean and use a consistent edge flow to avoid shading and deformation issues.
  2. Use ‘Proportional Editing’ (O key) to manipulate the surrounding components smoothly while transforming a selected component.
  3. Practice different modeling techniques, such as box modeling, edge modeling and sculpting, to develop a versatile skillset for various modeling tasks.
  4. Learn and use Blender’s keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow and increase efficiency while modeling.
  5. Start with simple, low-poly models, and gradually progress to more complex shapes as you gain experience.
  6. Use reference images or blueprints when modeling to maintain accurate proportions and details of real-world objects or characters.
  7. Experiment with different mesh tools, such as the Knife tool (K), Bevel tool (Ctrl + B), and Bridge Edge Loops (Ctrl + E > Bridge Edge Loops), to achieve different modeling effects and enhance your models.
  8. Use snapping tools (Shift + Tab) to align vertices, edges, or faces to a grid, surface, or other components with precision.
  9. Utilize Blender’s built-in sculpting tools to create organic shapes and detailed models, particularly for character modeling or complex assets.
  10. To create hard-surface models with sharp edges, use techniques such as edge creasing (Shift + E) or support loops (additional edge loops placed near sharp edges) to maintain the shape while using the Subdivision Surface modifier.
  11. Combine multiple modifiers to achieve complex modeling effects, such as using the Array and Curve modifiers to create a pattern that follows a curve or path.
  12. Use Blender’s UV unwrapping tools to prepare your models for texturing, ensuring the correct application of textures and materials.
  13. Periodically save your work and use Blender’s versioning system to maintain multiple iterations of your model, allowing you to revert to a previous state if necessary.
  14. Stay up-to-date with the Blender community and learn from tutorials, forums, and social media to discover new techniques, tools, and best practices for 3D modeling in Blender.
  15. By mastering the fundamentals of 3D modeling in Blender and practicing different techniques, you can create a wide range of models for various purposes, from game assets to architectural visualizations, and bring your creative ideas to life.

Powered by BetterDocs