3D MODELLING
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The goal

In my first year at university, we made low-poly 3D models. They needed to be within +/- 10% of a set poly count. This introduced us to 3D modelling in general and helped us understand that different models within a game or digital environment will need to be constrained to different poly counts according to their size and importance.

We were asked to create:
– a bottle (400 polys)
– a clock (800 polys)
– a weapon (2500 polys)
– a venus flytrap (5000 polys)
– a vehicle (5000 polys)

Planning

– I created mood boards for each model with Canva
– I made sketches with Procreate

Modelling

The result

My final grade was a 72/100, an A.

This was my first time modelling anything in 3Ds Max and I love it! Being able to create anything with the right commands was liberating.

What did I learn?

I learned:
– how to manage my poly counts and ensure my topology is neat and doesn’t contain any non-convex polygons (ngons).
– general modelling techniques like blocking out the shape of my models before adding detail, and splitting my models into multiple pieces to edit them more easily.
– how to use modifiers, both 3Ds Max-specific and not, to most effectively create my pieces. For example, I used the turbosmooth modifier to make my venus flytrap appear organic.