Pen tablets
Sketch, draw and edit images with a responsive pad, a precise pen and see your creations appear on screen.
N-gons are shapes that have five or more edges or vertices. Such shapes can be tempting to use when making 3D models, but their multiple sides make it difficult when it comes to sculpting later in the animation process. Instead, 3D modeling experts encourage the use of quads, because they can be easily subdivided.
Beginners should also avoid using triangles, or tris as they’re known by 3D modelers, as they can cause similar issues when it comes to animating.
Understanding the use of polygons is also key to grasping the wider issue of topology. This means that quads should be kept as square as possible, vertices shouldn’t break the flow of any edges and subdivisions should be spread out evenly. Modelers should regularly go back over what they’re making and check for mistakes to ensure that these simple rules are being followed, so they don’t need to overhaul or restart their project from scratch.
It can be tempting to try and make a complex model after getting to grips with the basics of 3D modeling software. But the fact is that doing so often leads to mistakes which can be hard to fix.
As a general rule, start off by using the most basic of quads and don’t subdivide them unless you absolutely have to. Doing so can make models appear irregular, lacking the smooth quality which defines the very best 3D models found in bestselling games. If you can get the basic shape of a model right first, then it’s time to look over your work and add subdivisions if you think they’re required.
3D modeling software can ease out any bumps in models, but it’s better not to have to resort to this method if you can avoid it.
Proportions are the cornerstone of all good 3D models. Small mistakes with proportions can make a model look misshapen, especially detailed creations such as faces, but it can take a while to grasp how a model should appear when designing it on your computer.
This is where sticking to the principles of using quads and cutting down on subdivisions can help. The proportions of a basic model can be reworked easily, especially if it can be looked at as a series of different simple sections that you can adjust.
Wherever possible, keep a copy of any art that you’re using as a basis for your 3D model close at hand. That means either having it open on your computer or having a sketch in a notepad within reach. This will help you learn to coordinate your eyesight between the concept and the model, a skill that can take a long time to master, but one that will develop with lots of practice.
Wacom Cintiq gives you the precision you need for error-free 3D modelling. The super-responsive Pro Pen 2, combined with the large HD high clarity screen, means you can model accurately while seeing every detail. The reduced parallax also gives you full control, so your cursor is where you expect to be. All so you can take your 3D modelling to the next level.
Recommended product
Wacom Cintiq 22
Draw, design and create directly on a high resolution screen with a precise pen.
Sketch, draw and edit images with a responsive pad, a precise pen and see your creations appear on screen.
Draw, design and create directly on a high resolution screen with a precise pen.
Wacom verfolgt die Vision, Menschen und Technologie durch natürliche Schnittstellentechnologien enger zusammenzubringen. Diese Vision hat das Unternehmen zum weltweit führenden Hersteller interaktiver Stifttabletts und -Displays sowie digitaler Eingabestifte und Lösungen für die Speicherung und Verarbeitung digitaler Signaturen gemacht. Die fortschrittliche Technologie der intuitiven Eingabegeräte von Wacom wurde bei einigen der aufregendsten Werke in den Bereichen Digital Art, Film, Spezialeffekte, Mode und Design weltweit eingesetzt und bietet Geschäfts- und Privatanwendern als führende Schnittstellentechnologie die Möglichkeit, ihre Persönlichkeit zum Ausdruck zu bringen. Wacom wurde 1983 gegründet und ist ein globales Unternehmen mit Sitz in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) mit weltweiten Tochtergesellschaften und Niederlassungen zur Bereitstellung von Marketing und Vertrieb in über 150 Ländern.