Topics

Box Modeling
Blender
Class 05 Lab

High five!

Box Modeling

Box modeling accurately describes its method. You create a box (cube), then apply various functions and tools, such as extrude, loop cut, and knife. You manually adjust the components of the model to form the desired shape. This method is most appropriate for hard-surface objects or when the topology of the model is specific.

Blender

Blender:

Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation. Advanced users employ Blender’s API for Python scripting to customize the application and write specialized tools; often these are included in Blender’s future releases. Blender is well suited to individuals and small studios who benefit from its unified pipeline and responsive development process.

-Blender.org

1: Menus

Basic file management such as open, close, save,etc. Change preferences, settings, display etc.

2: Workspaces

There are different “areas” inside blender. They can be switched to by select each tab. Each workspace is organized specifically for its purpose.

3: 3D Viewport

This is the primary area you work withing. By default this is the 3D space your various objects such as models, lights, cameras, particles, exist.

4: Outliner

This is basically a list area that you may view the objects in your scene, files, and varioius other items. It’s an organizational area of what is included in your file.

5: Properties

This panel contains the specific information of the scene and whatever objects you currently have selected. It allows you to make adjustments, connections, and create various items.

6: Timeline

Very typical animation style timeline that gives you access to the frames, keys, and other controls dealing with motion.

7: Status Bar

This does two primary jobs. One is that it will tell you what is currently happening but it will also give you tips such as modifier keys, tool options, etc.

Hotkeys:

Like most 3D programs it is required that you learn certain keys to quickly select tools or modify an operation. Below are the most useful.

Navigation

MM Click & Drag: Rotate camera(view)
Shift + MM Click & Drag: Pan camera(view)
Ctrl + MM Click or Scroll wheel: Zoom camera(view)
Alt + MM Click & Drag: Snap to orthographic view
. (on numpad): Focus on object/component (selected)
Alt + MM Click: Focus on object/component (clicked)

Interface

Tab: Toggle object/component mode
1 2 3: Vertex select, edge select, face select.
N: Reveals the N-panel that displays the selections transform information, tool options, and camera settings
Q: Quick Favorites. Righ-click on anything to add it to your Quick Favorites

Universal

Ctrl + Z: Undo last action
Ctrl + S: Save
Ctrl + C: Copy
Ctrl + V: Paste

Transforms

W: Draw/Pointer tool
G: Move tool
S: Scale tool
R: Rotate tool
G or S or R Then X or Y or Z: Press transform (G/S/R) hotkey, then press letter identifying axis to lock

Tools/Options/Etc.

Shift + A: Add mesh
E: Extrude
Ctrl + R: Loop cut
K: Knife
RM Click: Right clicking on an element will reveal context sensitive tools if you cannot remember the hotkeys

Class 05 Lab

Quadruped Base Shape Lab

In the second lab series we will develop a quadruped animal using Blender. In this lab you will produce the base shape using traditional box-modeling techniques. It should have all the elements present and ready to sculpt.

You will be graded on the following:

Lab Requirements
- Techniques and processes covered in the instructional material is followed and implemented.
Creativity & Craftsmanship
- Excellent design choices, novel & appealing, and solid clean caliber work.

Resources:

Assignment Video Tutorials: You may watch the tutorial videos below to help you complete your assignment.

Assignment Video Tutorials

Wait! Before you go!

Did you remember to?

Read through this webpage
Submit Quadruped Base Shape Lab on Blackboard