Different types of Modeling - Polygonal Modeling

     There are several different types of modeling. Right now I will do a quick overview of Polygonal Modeling. I intend to include more information as I find out more about the type of modeling I am experimenting and learning with.

My Rabbit Head - © 2013 Brandelin Hosking - All rights reserved.

Polygonal:

• Made up of shapes called polygons

• Involves points(vertices), lines(edges), and planes(faces)
• Very heavy on the processing power
• Is very precise in details
• Takes a lot of time to create with but less adjusting time
• Oldest type of modeling
  
• Downside: everything is made of flat surfaces so if the polygons arent small then the model will appear to be edgey, especially when zoomed in
  
  Within Polygonal Modeling there are two different techniques.
  
  • Box Modeling

    

    Box Modeling - Steven Stahlberg © 2002-2013 | The CGSociety - All rights reserved.

    
    
    • often starts with a box/cube
      
    • It can be scaled and translated
      
    • can add more faces by adding more edges
      
    • Similar to sculpting clay
      
    • tends to make nice looking grids
      
    • Happens to be ideal for subdivision modeling
      
      • Subdivision Modeling
        
        • allows modeler to create hard surfaces with beveled edges and high poly count in a short amount of time
          
        • Very common to use
          
        • creates clean models
          
        • allows for great detail
          

          

          Extrusion Modeling - Nnso'n © 2007-2011 | Phung Dinh Dzung - All rights reserved

          
          
  • Extrusion Modeling
    
    • starts with an edge or a polygon
      
    • extrudes new polygons from around the bounding edges
      
    • artists that draw a lot or are familiar with contour drawing prefer this method
      
    • often uses reference pictures and starts on the other edges to create a silhouette of the object, then continues to extrude inwards until the object is completed
      

Resources 

Chopine, A. (2011). 3D art essentials: The fundamentals of 3D modeling, texturing, and animation. Oxford: Focal Press.

Kerlow, I. V. (2009). The art of 3D computer animation and effects. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons.

Nnso'n. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.phungdinhdung.com/Studies_paper/Realistic_face_modeling.shtm 

Stahlberg. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Image:T_ss_maf_02.jpg