3D Modelling Courseware

Disclaimer of Liability. The courseware attempts to be as accurate as possible.

However, the Author does not warrant that the content is entirely accurate, complete,
reliable, current or error-free. You assume full responsibility for all of the information
contained within this courseware. We cannot be held liable in any way for results
stemming from the practical use of this information. Under no circumstances shall
Studiorola be liable for damages of any kind arising from the use of this courseware,
including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, special, consequential or punitive damages
or lost profits.

Contents

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER 1 – Interface and Basic Operations .................................................................................2

General Overview of 3D Creation workflow.......................................................................................3
The Blender Interface......................................................................................................................... 4
Customising Layout............................................................................................................................ 6
Windows Type.................................................................................................................................... 7
Properties Window Panels................................................................................................................. 8
Intro to 3D View Window.................................................................................................................... 9
Default Objects in a 3D View.............................................................................................................. 9
Adding Objects................................................................................................................................... 10
Basic Selection................................................................................................................................... 10
Basic Manipulation of objects............................................................................................................. 11
3D View Navigation............................................................................................................................ 11
Tool Shelf........................................................................................................................................... 12
3D Axis Manipulator.......................................................................................................................... 12
Properties Panel................................................................................................................................. 13
Camera View...................................................................................................................................... 13
Collection........................................................................................................................................... 14
Parent Child Group............................................................................................................................ 16
Scene Unit.......................................................................................................................................... 16

CHAPTER 2 – Modelling Part 1 .......................................................................................................... 17

Overview of this chapter .................................................................................................................... 17
Object and Edit Mode......................................................................................................................... 18
The 3D manipulation widget............................................................................................................... 18
Smooth and Flat Shading................................................................................................................... 20
Modelling Guide................................................................................................................................. 21
Ways of creating 3D objects............................................................................................................... 23
Modifying from existing Objects......................................................................................................... 24
Creating 3D Objects from edges, vertices and curves.......................................................................27
Troubleshooting problematic surfaces................................................................................................41

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CHAPTER 3 – Modelling Part 2 .......................................................................................................... 43

Overview of this chapter..................................................................................................................... 43
Organic Modelling using subdivision.................................................................................................. 44
Symmetry Modelling........................................................................................................................... 47
Array – Building repeated patterns..................................................................................................... 51

CHAPTER 4 – Modelling Part 3 - Sculpting........................................................................................ 58

Overview of this chapter .................................................................................................................... 58
Sculpting Process.............................................................................................................................. 59
A Sculpting workflow.......................................................................................................................... 60
Multi-resolution Sculpting .................................................................................................................. 62

CHAPTER 5 – Tips .............................................................................................................................. 66

Overview of this chapter..................................................................................................................... 66
Using Addons..................................................................................................................................... 68
Ortho Viewing Tips............................................................................................................................. 67
3D Cursor Tip..................................................................................................................................... 69
Navigation tips.................................................................................................................................... 70
Camera View...................................................................................................................................... 72
Modelling Tips.................................................................................................................................... 73
Hot keys............................................................................................................................................. 74

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Introduction
This courseware does not require you to have prior knowledge of Blender 3D. It is
meant to be a no-frill book aimed at rapidly bringing the user to a working proficiency in
creating 3D images using the free and powerful Blender 3D Suite.

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CHAPTER 1
INTERFACE & BASIC OPERATIONS

Overview of this chapter

In this chapter, we will cover the interface and Blender's basic operations.

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General Overview of 3D Creation workflow

A 3D program such as Blender is a virtual environment for simulating physical objects,
materials and lighting conditions.

In order to create realistic 3D images, the 3D digital environment needs to have the
following ingredients:

1. Camera
2. light sources
3. 3D objects

The image will be created from the viewpoint of the camera.

The 3D Objects can be given shader properties to stimulate the appearance properties
of physical objects.

Likewise, light sources can be assigned properties as well.

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The Blender Interface

When you first start up Blender you will be greeted with an interface that look like the
one shown directly below.

The common components of a Blender Environment are as labelled in the screenshot.

Menu Header

Properties
Windows

3D View

The header can have a long series of icons. Pressing and holding the MMB (Middle
Mouse Button) on blank spaces between icons allows the header to be moved
horizontally. This enable the user to access icons hidden at the far ends of the header.

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Pressing F3 key brings up the command search. The command search can be used to
execute a command or find the hot-key equivalent for the command.

Blender's Interface is fully customisable. Below shows a Blender 3D environment

customised as the typical 4-windows layout.

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Customising Layout

To Split Window, move to the corner. When a '+' cursor appear, drag the corner.

To Merge Window, move to the corner. When a '+' cursor appear, drag the corner
towards the merging direction. When a greyed arrow appear, release the mouse button.

To save the customised layout, go to the menu bar...

File >> User Preferences >> Save as Default.

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Window Types

Blender consists of many different window types.

It is beyond the scope of this short introduction to cover all the types of window screens.

For modelling purposes, the 3D View and Properties Windows are indispensable.

Selecting a window type causes the corresponding screen and header to change
accordingly.

Click
here

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Properties Windows Panels

The Properties Windows contains many different types of panels.

Active Tools and

Work space setting

Render

Output

View Layer

Scene

World

Object

Object Constraints

Modifier

Object Data

Material

Texture

Particles

Physics

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Introduction to the 3D View Window

The 3D View Window is a very important part of Blender. This section takes you on a
short intro to this significant window type.

Default Objects in the 3D View Window

The default 3D View Window contains the following objects.

Camera
Point Lamp
3D Cursor

The Camera's view is the viewpoint where images are rendered.

Lamps/lights are light sources that illuminate the 3D scene. More lights can be added
from 3D View Header Bar >> Add >> Lamp.

The 3D Cursor serves several functions. Its location corresponds to the place where
the mouse clicks on the 3D Views. Newly added objects will be positioned at the
location of the 3D Cursor.

Lamp/Light

Camera
3D Cursor

The 3D cursor can also be used to reposition the origin of an object.

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Adding Objects

Objects can be added from 3D View Header Bar >> Add

The types of objects from the Add list are as shown below.

Basic Selection

Blender is very much hot-key driven. Below are some essential ones.

Select 3D Object – LMB (Left Mouse Click- default)

Toggle Object-Edit Mode – TAB Key

Toggle Select All – A Key

Toggle Select None – ALT A Key

Selected Object Mode Selected Edit Mode

(Pink Border) (Edit points & edges are displayed)
Object Mode – select whole Edit Mode – allows user to select
object vertices, edges and faces of a mesh
object.

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Basic Manipulation of Objects

The hot keys for basic manipulation of objects are as the following:

Grab/Move Object – G Key

Rotate Object- R Key

Scale Object– S Key

Transformation (G, R,S Keys) can be constrained to X, Y or Z axis by pressing X, Y , Z

key correspondingly .
For example, pressing S key followed by X keys constraints the scaling to the X axis.

Snap to Grid - Ctrl Key (Hold)

Multiple Selection – Shift Key

Border Selection – B key

3D View Navigation

Navigation of a 3D View Window is performed by the following:

Zoom in/Zoom Out– Wheel + Ctrl

Zoom in/Zoom Out – Scroll Wheel forward/backward

Pan View- Wheel + Shift

Pan View – MMB + Shift

Rotate View – MMB (Middle Mouse Button)

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Tool Shelf

'T' Key toggles the Tool Shelf display

on the left side of the 3D View.

Clicking the '+' sign on the top left-hand

corner of the 3D View window displays
the Tool Shelf as well.

Tool Shelf commands update depending

on what is being selected in the 3D view.
It contains commonly used commands.

3D axis Manipulator

Translate Manipulator is on the Tool shelf (T-key)

Click on
arrows
to move
Click on along axis
Circle to
move freely

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Properties Panel

'N' Key toggles the Properties Panel

on the right side of the 3D View.

Clicking the '+' sign on the top right-hand

corner of the 3D View window displays
the Properties Panel as well.

Properties Panel contains information

about the selected object.

Camera View

The screen shot below shows the camera view. The Toggle Camera View Icon is at the
top right hand corner of the 3D window.

The camera view should not be confused with the perspective view. The camera view is
the angle or viewpont whereby the image is seen and rendered. To change the camera
view, the active camera in the scene must be moved or rotated.

Camera View Border

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Collection

Collection is a Layer-like system for organising objects in a scene.

Toggle Toggle whether

Visibility Object will be
Toggle Rendered
Selectability

To assign an object to a collection or to put it in a new collection,

1. Select the Object.

2. Press the M key. This will bring up the collection options.

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To put the object in a new collection, select the + New Collection. This will open a
Move to Collection window. You can rename the new collection and click OK.

In our example below , the Cube has been assigned to Collection 2

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Parent-child Grouping
Parent-child grouping is a way of grouping multiple objects. Children will follow the
parent in all transformations. Therefore by selecting the parent object, all child objects
will follow.

To create a parent-child link:

1. Press Shift key to multi-select a group of objects.

2. Press Ctrl + P keys to establish the Parent-child group.

The last selected object is the parent to the other objects.

Parent-child
link

Scene Units
Units are accessed via Properties Panel >> Scene Tab.
Blender allows the User to work with three different systems of units:
• Blender units
• metric system
• Imperial system.

Each scene in Blender can use its own system of units, which means that one file may
contain multiple scenes with varying systems of units.

The default unit of measurement is the "Blender Unit". This unit has no real-world
equivalent.

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CHAPTER 2
MODELLING PART ONE

Overview of this chapter

In this chapter, we will cover the basic principles of 3D mesh modelling.

These methods help lay the foundation for building more complex models.

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Object and Edit Mode

When using Blender, it is important to understand the concept of Object Mode and Edit
Mode. To

We use the Edit Mode primarily to built upon or change the geometry of a selected
object. To toggle between the 2 modes of a selected 3D object, press the TAB key

Object Mode Edit Mode (Face select mode)

It should be noted that while an object in edit mode, another object of a similar
type can be added. However, the newly added object will become part of the
existing object in the edit mode. Therefore, to prevent confusion, it is always
better to TAB out of the Edit mode into the Object Mode, if we do not want to
insert an object into an existing one.

Under Edit Mode, there are 3 mode of mesh object selection, namely
Vertex, Edge and Face select.

Vertex Mode Edge Mode Face select

To display a combination of selection modes, use SHIFT select to click-select the

intended mode icons

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The 3D manipulation widget

Using the right Orientation of the widget facilitate easier transformation of edges and
faces of meshes.

View: Orientation is relative to the perspective of the window.

Normal: Orientation is perpendicular to the selected face/plane
Local: Orientation from the local coordinate system of the selected 3D object
Global:Orientation with reference to the base grid within Blender.

Normal Orientation Global Orientation

Edge Loop Selection Edge Ring Selection

Loop and Ring selection are also applicable to mesh Face select mode.

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Smooth and Flat Shading

Smooth and Flat Shading are assessed via the Object Context Menu, which is right-
mouse click over the object (while in Object Mode).

In Shade Flat mode, the colors on the object change discontinuously at the borders of
individual polygons. This is as illustrated below.

In the case of Shade Smooth mode, the color changes from pixel to pixel. This creates
a smooth color transition between two adjacent polygons. This is as illustrated below.

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Modelling Guide
Placing Reference image as modelling guide

Some people prefer to model with a 2D image as a reference guide.

Reference images can be mapped onto plane objects.

The following illustrates the generic steps:

1. Firstly, add a mesh plane object.

2. Go to Material panel.

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Color select Image Texture. Browse and select the reference image.
Set Vector to Texture Coordinate | Generated.

3. Next set Viewport Shading to Material Mode.

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Ways of creating 3D objects

Basically, there are 2 main ways of creating 3D objects:

1. Modify from existing primitives such as meshes.

The following methods will be demonstrated:
• Extrude (E Key)
• Loop Cut (Ctrl + R keys)
• Knife Cut (K Key)

2. Build model from curves or edges/vertices

The following methods will be demonstrated
• Create Mesh Lines
• Create Faces (F key)
• Revolve using Spin
• Extrude along path or curve

Here are some hotkeys that are useful to be familiar with:

Useful Hotkeys:

Snap to Grid - Ctrl Key (Hold)

Join - Ctrl + J Keys
Separate selected faces - P key (in Edit Mode)
Recalculate Normal - SHIFT + N keys

Tips:
When a mesh object is in Edit Mode, the Tool Shelf displays most of the modelling
tools.

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Modifying from existing primitive objects

1. Creating 3D Objects using Extrude (E Key)

In Edit Mode, Extrude Faces using E Key

In order to extrude faces, the Face select mode must be used

2. Creating 3D Objects using Loop Cut (Ctrl + R Key)

In Edit Mode, divide Faces by pressing Ctrl + R Key (Loop cut Tool)

Note: After positioning the loop cut, by scrolling the mouse wheel, the number of
loop cuts can be increased. The loopcuts made using this method will be equally
spaced.

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3. Creating 3D Objects using Knife Tool (K Key)

1. Select Object and turn on Edit Mode.

2. The Knife command is in Toolshelf. The hotkey for Knife command is K key.

3.When knife command is executed, the cursor should change into a knife icon.
The knife cursor will snap to edges of meshes.

Note: Pressing and holding the Ctrl key will turn on mid point and end point
snap.

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4. Drag the knife cursor across the faces that you want to cut. This is as shown
below.

5. Press Enter key to complete the knife cut.

Creating 3D Objects from edges, vertices and curves

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1. Creating Mesh Lines

The basic Steps for this method:

1. Use Mesh >> Circle to provide

initial vertices/edges.

In Object Option, set vertices value to 3. This is as shown in the screenshot

below.

2. To remove the additional edge, go into Edit Mode. Right-mouse click to select
it. Press Delete Key and select Edges.

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To Extrude new edges, select the vertex (point) where the new edge will be
extended from. Press the E key. This is as shown below.

2. Creating Mesh Faces

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Firstly create the necessary Mesh lines. See the Creating Mesh Line section for
details. 2 set of mesh lines are to be create.

In the screenshot below, SHIFT + D key (in the Object Mode) is used to
duplicate the second set of mesh line.

You will notice that the individual mesh lines are treated as separate entities. In
order to add faces to these objects, they will have to be merge/joined.

3. In Object Mode, press shift to select the curves. Press Ctrl+J keys to join
curves as one object.

4. Select 4 adjacent vertices.

5. To create new face, press F Key

3. Creating 3D Objects using Spin

This method creates an object by spinning a 2D profile about a center

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axis.

The 2D profile must be based on mesh lines. See the Creating Mesh Line
section for details.

In the edit mode, select all the edges on the 2D profile to be spun. From the
Toolshelf, select the Spin Icon.

This is as shown below.

Use the Option panel to specify steps, angle, center and axis.

In the screenshot below, the 2D profile is spun around the Y axis (denoted by value 1,

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whereas the other axis have zero value).

4. Extrude 2D Shape along a Curve

To extrude a cross-sectional shape along a curve, the followings are required:

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1. A Path. This should be a bezier curve

2. A cross-sectional object. This should be a curve object.

Path Curve
(Bezier Curve)

Cross section object

(Curve object)

Below illustrates the basic steps for extruding a cross-section along a curve

1. Create the Path object. Use Add>>Curve >> Bezier to add a Bezier curve in
the 3D View.

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2. Use or create a cross-section object. This object must be a curve object.

For this example, we will create a circle as the cross-sectional object
Go to Add>>Curve >> Circle to add a circle curve in the 3D View.

Bezier
Curve

Circle

3. Select the Bezier Curve (Path Object)

4. At the Properties Panel, click on the Object Data Button to display the Curve's
Object Data Panel

5. Under the Bevel Object section, select the cross-section object from the list of
objects. In this case, it is the circle.

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Now, the Circle (cross section object) will be extruded along the Bezier Curve.

This method is not restricted to making pipes. By choosing Bevel Objects of different
shapes, different cross-sectional shapes are achievable. However, the Bevel Object
must be a Curve object.

Bevel Object
Must be curve object

Notes:

Converting Mesh to Curve Object

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A 2D Mesh polyline object can be converted to to Curve by pressing Alt + C keys.

Alternatively, with the object selected, right-mouse click to Object Context Menu >>
Convert to >> Curve from Mesh/Text.

Modifying and editing the Path (bezier curve)

Applying non-proportional scaling to the curve may result in distorted extrusion later on.

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To ensure that the curve is correctly scaled, press Ctrl + A keys. Select Rotation &
Scale.

Therefore to modify or extend the bezier curve, it is advisable to do it in the Edit Mode.

To extend the curve at the end, select the end point of the bezier and press E-key to
extrude. This is as shown below

Handle

Control Point

The Bezier curve can be re-shaped by grabbing the control points and their respective
handles.

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Handle
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When a handle is moved (G-key), the Control Point acts as a pivot.

Control Point (Pivot)

Handle is moved

If the distance of a handle is increased with reference to the control point, the length of
the curve from the control point is lengthened as well.

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Placing a path curve accurately to a given position

Firstly, we need to set the origin to the end point of the curve

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To do that, in edit mode, select the end control point of the Bezier Curve

Go to Curve >> Snap >> Cursor to Selected. This will cause the 3D Cursor to be
snapped to the end of the bezier curve.

3D Cursor snapped to end point

Switch the Bezier curve to Object Mode.

Go to Menu >> Object >> Set Origin. Set Origin to Origin to 3D Cursor.

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Turn on the Snap Function. Select the appropriate Snap Element.

Press the G-key to grab the curve need the end to snap it to the appropriate location

Problem Areas

Trouble shooting problematic surfaces

Sometimes, mesh objects may exhibits areas with darkened surfaces. This can be

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caused due to multiple vertices overlapping one another as well as inconsistent normal
directions.

Removing Doubles
Doubles are overlapping vertices. They need to be removed.

In Edit Mode (TAB), select all vertices of a mesh.

Right mouse click to display Context Menu. Select Remove Doubles vertices.

Recalculate Normals

A surface normal of a surface is a vector that is perpendicular to that surface. The

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normals of a mesh should be facing outward. To fix erratic normal orientation, in Edit
Mode, press SHIFT + N Keys.

Merging vertices

Sometimes, there is a need to merge 2 vertices. To do so,

1. In the edit mode, select the 2 vertices

2. Right-mouse click to display Context Menu. Select Merge Vertices.
3. Choose the Merge Option

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CHAPTER 3

MODELLING PART 2

Overview of this chapter

In this chapter, we will cover the principles of 3D mesh modelling pertaining to:

1. Organic Modelling
2. Symmetrical Modelling
3. Creating arrays and repeated patterns

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Organic Modelling using Subdivision

For this method, we are modifying existing objects. Basically, we create a mesh object
that is to be used as a control cage for a new subdivision mesh.

The video demonstration is at https://youtu.be/axkIo0ksnIo

Go to Modifier Panel >>Add Modifier >> Subdivision Surface

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The result is as shown below.

Use the View and Render option to tweak the resolution.

View: set subdivision value for screen view

Render: set subdivision value for rendering

Subsurf Options:
Apply: apply the subsurf as a permanent mesh subdivision

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To set smooth, make sure 3D object is selected and is in Object Mode (TAB key toggle).
Next, right-mouse click to display Object Context Menu and select Smooth Shading.

Note:

The original mesh is still editable if the “Apply” button is not clicked. To edit, make sure
the model is in Edit Mode. One is still able to perform modifications such as vertex,
edge, face movement, extrusion (E-key) and loop cut (Ctrl+R).

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Symmetry Modelling

For symmetry modelling, use the Mirror Modifier. Mirrored object will be pivoted via
the Object Origin.

Modifier Tab is under the Modifier Panel

Typical Steps for Symmetry Modelling

1. Add a cube at the center of the 3D scene.

2. Go into Edit Mode. Execute Loop cut using CTRL + R keys.

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3. Go to Face select Mode and select one half of the cube.

4. Delete the selected faces.

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5. Now go to the Properties window >> Modifier. Select the Mirror modifier.

Now, the mirrored side should appear. If not, make sure that we have selected the
correct Axis of mirroring. You might need to set to a different axis (X, Y or Z) to achieve
the appropriate mirrored half. This is as shown below.

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By modelling on the original half, the other half is simultaneously reflected.

This is as illustrated below.

Very often, Mirror and Sub-division modifier can be used together for creating
symmetrical and organic 3d forms.

A video demonstration of Mirror with Sub-division modifier is at

https://youtu.be/XfjtvOshDGw

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Array - Building repeated patterns

Array is a method of creating pattern using duplicated objects.

To add an array, go to Modifier Panel >> Add Modifier >> Array

Array options:

Count: total number of objects (including the original)

Relative offset: determine the distance of the subsequent object from the one
preceding it. Use the X, Y and Z values to set the offset distance.

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Array options:

Object Offset:using an object such as an empty to control the array

In the example below, an empty object is used to modify the array.

Empty Object

Below illustrates the result when the move transformation is used on the Empty Object.

Empty Object

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Below illustrates the result when the Rotate transformation is used on the Empty object.

Empty Object

Below illustrates the result when the transformations (Scale/move/rotate) is applied on

the Original object.

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Array along a curve

To arrange objects along a curve, a combination of Array Modifier and a Curve

Modifier can be used

Steps:

1. Select the object to be arrayed and apply an Array Modifier. Create an array of
the object. You may used Relative Offset and give the value in an axis input.

2. Next, if the curve (that the objects are to be arrayed along) are not created yet,
create it using the types in Add >> Curve.

Curve Object

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3. Next, with the original object selected, add a Curve Modfier (under Add
Modifier >> Deform section).

Original Object

4. In the Curve Modifier option, specify the curve under Object. In the example
below, the object is NurbsPath.

Note: As of this writing, only Curves may be used as objects for Curve Modifier,
namely Bezier, Circle, Nurbs Curve, Nurbs Circle and Path.

Note: In order for object to array correctly along the curve, the origin of both the object

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and the curve should be aligned to one another.

Below shows an example of misalignment of array caused by origin of curve not at the intended location.

Origin not at start point

Below screenshot shows that both the object and the curve's origin are aligned to one another.

Origin of object should

be within its boundary
Origin of curve should be
at the start end

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Note: To set origin to start end of curve, go into the Edit mode and select the First
point.

Next, right mouse click over the viewport and select Snap >> Cursor to Selected.

Next, go to Object >> Set Origin >> Origin to 3D Cursor.

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CHAPTER 4

SCULPTING

Overview of this chapter

In this chapter, we will cover the principles of 3D modeling pertaining to sculpting.

Sculpting
To prepare for sculpting, a base mesh object can be used. If object has modifiers such
as sub-division or mirror, they should be applied to finalise the mesh.

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Alternatively, object such as UV Sphere as the starting base mesh.

A Sculpting workflow

To sculpt complex shapes, the following process can be used first to merge mesh
objects:

Step 1: Use Boolean modifier to union 2 different meshes as one

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This is as illustrated below.

Remember to click Apply to merge the meshes.

Note: Depending on the outcome and situation, the Remesh modifier may be used to rebuild the newly
merged mesh as quads. One such situation is when the merged set of meshes have quads/ tris of
disproportional sizes. That is, some are too big while others are too small.

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The Octree Depth controls the resolution of the output. Generally, the higher the value, the more
accurate the output will be.

This is as illustrated below

Multi-resolution sculpting

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The first step in sculpting is to add the multi-resolution modifier to the base mesh
object.

After adding the multi-res modifier, clicking on Subdivide will add a new level of
subdivision for Sculpt value.

The sculpt value can be lowered, but cannot be increased unless a new subdivide level
is added (by clicking the Subdivide Button).

Now, with the mesh object selected, enter Sculpt Mode ( as shown below)

Toolshelf (T-key) now displays the Sculpting Brush Types panel.

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One may also click Sculpting Workspace Tab on the Menu bar to have access to a
more conducive environment for sculpting work.

Sculpting Window

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Dynamic Topology Sculpting

Dynotopo is the short term for Dynamic topology. To enable Dyntopo, check the tick box
as illustrated below.

This method involves dynamic tessellation during the sculpting process.

Dynamic
Tessellation

Dynotopo, may not be compatible with multi-resolution sculpting. This is because, the
typical sculpting method (such as multi-resolution sculpting) only modify the shape of a
mesh.

Tips- Symmetrical sculpting

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If Symmetrical sculpting is desired, on the Symmetry/Lock >> Mirror section, select

the appropriate axis (X, Y or Z)

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CHAPTER 5
Tips
Overview of this chapter

In this chapter, we will cover some useful tips and hot keys.

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Orthographic Viewing Tip

When working with the 3D Viewpoints, Ortho (Orthographic) mode is better for viewing
and object/parts selection. To make Blender displays in Ortho mode, one way is to
toggle using the Orthographic/Perspective switch.

Orthographic/Perspective
switch

Orthographic

Perspective

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Using Add-ons

Add-ons expand the capability of Blender. To install add-ons, go to Menu >> Edit >>
Preferences.

This will open up the Blender Preference. Tab to Add Ons

Tick on the add-on that you want to install and click Save as Default.

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3D Cursor Tips

The 3D Cursor can be used to determine the position of placement of new objects
within the 3D environment. In another word, new objects will be added at the location of
the 3D cursor.

To position the 3D cursor in the 3D view, firstly click and enabled the 3D Cursor icon.
This is as illustrated below.

3D Cursor icon

Now you can reposition the 3D cursor on the 3D view simply by clicking the mouse
cursor on the desired location.
Note: In order to select and work with other objects again, you must click anyone of the
other icons (on the Toolshelf) to get out of the ‘3D Cursor’ mode.

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Navigation Tips

1. View selected object

When working on a particular object, use Numpad(dot) Key to view the selected object
in the center of the 3D view.

Alternatively, Ctrl + Numpad(dot) Key can be used to center the 3D view to the cursor.

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2. Accurate Snapping
For accurate positioning of objects, can use the Snap During Transform tools.

From the drop down menu, select the appropriate snapping element.

Below show two cubes accurately aligned using Snap >> Vertex mode

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Camera View

Normally, to modify camera view, the camera must be repositioned. However, the active
view can also be aligned to the active camera. It can be done via View >> Align View
>> Align Active Camera to View

Render small view

In the camera view, press Shift-B. This will bring up a cross hair allowing you drag a
square over the area you want rendered. To turn this off, press Shift-B again, and drag
outside the camera window.

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Modelling Tips

In modelling, there are no hard and fast rules. For a single shape, there can be multiple
ways to create it.

Additionally, a single shape can employ more than one technique in order to achieve
desired result.

For example, the head model shown below uses the following techniques:

1. Make faces from vertices and edges (page 23)

2. Subdivision modelling (page 31)
3. Symmetry modelling (page 33)

Efficient memory usage

Use Alt+D instead of Shift+D when duplicating.

It cuts down on memory usage, by referencing the original model (alt+D), instead of
copying it (shift+D).

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HOT KEYS
GENERAL

Ctrl + U Save as Default

Ctrl + Z Undo
SHIFT + Ctrl + Z Redo
F12 Render Camera View

NAVIGATION

Ctrl + Space Bar Toggle Maximise/Minimise Screen

Home View All
Numpad . View Selected
Ctrl + Numpad . Center view to cursor
SHIFT + F Key Navigate the camera view (Fly/walk mode)
Fly mode lets you navigate the view using
momentum set by the mouse and keys.

LMB to confirm

Numpad 7 Top View

Numpad 1 Front View
Numpad 3 Right View
Ctrl + Numpad 3 Left View

EDITING

TAB Toggles Edit/Object mode

A key Select All
ALT + A Keys Select nothing
Ctrl + I keys Invert selection
Esc Stops ongoing operation

G key Grab move

R key Rotate
S key Scale

X key Delete with options

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B key Box/border select

C key Circle select

MODELLING

SHIFT + A key Add Object

E key Extrude
F key Make face
ALT key + RMB (Edit- edge select mode) Edge Loop selection
Ctrl + P key Make parent-child relationship
Alt + P Key Clear parent-child relationship

P Key Separate select vertices/faces from mesh object

Ctrl + J key Join selected mesh objects

W Key Specials Option (edit mode)

U Key (Mesh in Edit Mode) UV unwrap options

Alt + D key Instance

SHIFT + D key Duplicate

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