1. Week 4 Low polygon modelling
3D Modelling Tools
Week 4 Low polygon modelling

2. From previous week The importance of lining things up Cloning Arrays
Snaps, grid, align
Cloning
Arrays
Grouping
Modifiers
3D Modelling Tools

3. This week Low polygon modelling Working with sub-objects
Collect portfolio 1
3D Modelling Tools

4. Editable objects Do not have the same flexibility of parameters
They deal with sub-objects and editing functions
Editable objects include:
Meshes
Polygons
Patch
Splines
Murdock K.L., (2005)
3D Modelling Tools

5. Editable objects Are not created
They are converted from another object, usually a primitive
Loose their parametric properties after they have been converted
Edit sub-objects
Edges
Vertices
Faces
Murdock K.L. (2005)
3D Modelling Tools

6. Surface Modeling
Surface modeling is more free form than geometric (parametric) modeling
Use the modifier stack to “collapse” a parametric model to some form of editable surface
Once you have done so, a variety of tools let you shape the surface
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

7. Modeller concepts Types of modelling systems:
Parametric
Mesh
Polygon
Spline
Patch
Many 3D modelling tools combine two or more of these basic techniques
Giambruno M, (2002)
3D Modelling Tools

8. Parametric modellers Retain their base geometric information
Default shape
Current size
Segments
This information can be accessed and altered
Can be spline or polygon based
Deformations can be applied
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9. Polygon modellers Objects constructed with polygons More polygons mean
Made up of tiny, flat surfaces
More polygons mean
More detail
Bigger file sizes
Low polygon
Used in real-time games
Small file sizes
Quick to render
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

10. Polygons Objects composed of faces
An editable poly is a polygonal mesh
Unlike an editable mesh, it uses more than three-sided polygons
Five sub-object levels
Vertex
Edge
Border
Polygon
Element
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11. Meshes
A mesh object made up of triangular faces as an object and at three sub-object levels
Vertex
Edge
Face
Faces are smoothed together when rendered
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12. Spline modellers A line defined as points, usually curved
Resolution independent
No faces
Useful for creating organic shapes
Different types
B-spline
Bezier
NURBS
Non-uniform rational b-splines
Giambruno M, (2002)
3D Modelling Tools

13. Spline types B-spline Bezier NURBS 3D Graphics and animation
More information at
3D Graphics and animation
3D Modelling Tools

14. Patch modellers Use a network of control points
Lattice of splines or polygons
Stretch or tug on the shape
Useful for organic forms
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

15. Mesh or poly - which to use?
History lesson
Initially Max only supported mesh objects
Subdividing the mesh into triangular faces ensured that all faces were coplanar
Guaranteed to render well
Over time rendering engines have been modified to handle polygons
Makes the model more efficient
Eliminates all the extra edges required to triangulate the mesh
Murdock K.L. (2005)
3D Modelling Tools

16. Why do I want to count them?
Which to use?
Check with your game engine
Some still require that all faces be coplanar
Working with polygon is quicker
More advanced editing features with Max
Polygon count feature
Sometimes the terms are interchanged!!!
Why do I want to count them?
3D Modelling Tools

17. Converting to editable objects
Use the Quad menu Or
Right click the object in the Modifier Stack
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

18. Converting to editable objects
If a modifier has been applied to an object you need to use the Collapse All command first
Combines the stack operations
Cannot undo, save a backup file
You can convert between different types but each conversion may subdivide the object
You can apply a modifier to convert an object
Retains the parametric qualities of the object, but you cannot edit the mesh
3D Modelling Tools

19. Editable Mesh Surface
Polygon mesh
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

20. Working with sub-objects
Insert a vertex
Multiple selection
Control + click
Draw a lasso
Select region
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

21. Edit face A face is the smallest possible mesh object
A polygon formed by three vertices
Faces provide the renderable surface of an object
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

22. Extrude
Extrude
Bevel
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

23. Cut Sub-divide a mesh Create another edge Useful to use snap
To start from a different point, right-click
To finish cutting, right-click twice
3D Modelling Tools

24. Bridge
Bridging two elements makes them contiguous, combining them into a single element
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

25. Activity Make a crown Create a tube Convert to an editable poly
Extrude polygons
Try bridging some polygons
3D Modelling Tools

26. Soft selection
The Soft Selection controls allow you to partially select sub-objects in the vicinity of an explicit selection
This causes the explicit selection to behave as if surrounded by a "magnetic field"
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

27. Working with vertices Select one or more vertices
Magnetic of soft selection
Use for transforms of vertices
The program applies a spline curve deformation to unselected vertices surrounding the transformed selected sub-object
A magnet-like effect with a sphere of influence around the transformation
3ds max v7
3D Modelling Tools

28. Activity Make a face Create a sphere Convert to a polygon
Push and pull vertices to make a face using soft selection
Not easy!
3D Modelling Tools

29. Edit Edge
An edge is a line, visible or invisible, forming the side of a face and connecting two vertices
Two faces can share a single edge
3D Modelling Tools

30. Poly counts Total number of polygons that make up a given object
3D rendering engines have limits
Software has a Polygon Counter utility
You can set a budget for selected objects
3D Modelling Tools

31. Low polygon modelling
What happens to a game if the polycount in a model is too high?
Too slow to play
May crash the system
Overlapping meshes or undeleted faces may affect the appearance
Planning of low polygon models is important
3D Modelling Tools

32. Spec-ing a low polygon model
File format
Number and type of polygons
Use of texture maps
Particular type?
Colour depth?
Specific size?
Transparency?
Examine any sample models
3D Modelling Tools

33. Portfolio 2
Repeat a much as possible of Portfolio 1 using low polygon modelling techniques
Count the polygons, record the number on your paper submission
Screen grab of 3ds max of your model of:
A room created from primitives
Floor
3 walls
Containing a table
Rectangular table top
Four rectangular legs
Plus three chairs or stools
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34. Next week
Lecture
2D to 3D modelling
Storyboards
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35. Impendent study Directed reading 3DS Max 7 Bible Portfolio 2
Read Chapter 13
Portfolio 2
Presentation
Tutorials
Chess Set
3D Modelling Tools

36. Questions You have been asked to model an aeroplane for use in a game
What do you need to know before you start modelling
Describe the difference between geometric and surface modelling, which method would you use, justify your choice
Describe the difference between mesh and polygon modelling, which method would you use, justify your choice
3D Modelling Tools

37. References 3ds max v7, (2005) User Reference and Tutorials
Giambruno M, (2002) 3D Graphics & Animation, 2nd Edition, New Riders, ISBN:
Kerlow I. V., (2003) The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects , 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc; ISBN:
Murdock K.L., (2005) 3DS Max 7 Bible, John Wiley & Sons Inc, ISBN:
3D Modelling Tools