Modeling 101

Seventy Second Post: Modeling 101

It is common to work with orthographic drawings (perpendicular to the drawing plane) in technical drawing. So why can’t these drawings be easily transferred to a 3D image on the computer without being completely redrawn. If we extruded two surfaces of the drawing and took the part where they intersected would that create a start for the drawing?

The answer is no. This would work if the computer knew how far to extruded the lines. That is if the computer knew to what depth to extrude the shape. There has to be a way to tell it which line of the front view corresponds to which line of the top or side view. It would also work if one of the views was broken down its shapes and extruded the given distance. There are probably CAD programs that do this and there are simpler ways to model, but it would be nice to build a fast, rough model.

If the computer could be told which line units with another line than it might be easy to create a curved surface with contour lines. Curved lines or circles used to define the curve that is similar to what you would see on a map. (I haven’t tested it.) This is similar to a technique called “edge looped character modeling.” This technique defines the character by loops along there muscles, bones, and contour. This technique is preferred against other techniques because it smooths the shape and makes the geometry easier to work with.

But lets not forget 3D started with clay. The tools of the 3D object made of clay and the software are different, but the result is the same. So next time you, the reader, are working with a 3D object just stop and think how could you teach someone or use a computer to make the object.

References: (For edge loop modeling): 3DS Max Game Development Series Volume 1 DVD