Modeling

What are N-Gons and Why to Avoid Them N-gons are polygons in a 3D mesh that have more than 4 vertices and edges. Common polygon types in modeling are triangles (3 vertices), quads (4 vertices), and sometimes five-sided polygons. Anything higher than four vertices is generally considered an N-gon. N-gons can cause issues when using…

Retaining Editability One of the main benefits of using text objects in Blender is that they remain fully editable. You can easily change the font, size, alignment, text content and styling even after creation. However, when you convert text to curves, you lose this flexible editability. The curved text takes on fixed visual appearance based…

Definition of curves and meshes Curves in Blender are defined as mathematical representations that produce surfaces and objects. They are created with control points and settings that manipulate the curve’s shape. Meshes are polygon-based objects defined by vertices, edges, and faces that create 3D forms. Key differences and capabilities The key differences between curves and…

What SVGs are and Why Use Them SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. SVGs are vector image files that use XML-based text format to describe images using geometric vectors, shapes, text and effects. Being vector-based, SVGs can scale to any size without losing quality. This makes them ideal for print, web and 3D workflows. Compared…

Identifying Problematic Curves Recognizing issues with curve topology early on can save significant cleanup time later. Carefully inspect curves for overlapping control points, irregular spacing, twists, folds, and other defects before attempting to use them to generate surfaces or animate motion. Recognizing overlapping control points Zoom in closely on all areas of the curve and…

Non-manifold geometry refers to meshes that contain irregularities that violate the mathematical definition of a 2-manifold. A 2-manifold mesh surface has well-defined inside and outside volumes with consistent face normals. Non-manifold meshes contain defects such as unmerged vertices, edges, disconnected surfaces and inconsistent face normals that cause problems for modeling operations like booleans. What is…

Understanding Boolean Modifiers Boolean modifiers in 3D modeling refer to operations that combine two 3D objects using Boolean logic to create a new resulting 3D object. The two most common Boolean operations are union, which combines two objects into one, and difference, which subtracts one object from another. Doubles refer to duplicate vertices in the…

Troubleshooting Failed Boolean Operations Boolean operations like union, difference, and intersection are essential modeling techniques in computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling software. However, these commands can often fail or produce unexpected results due to issues with the input meshes. This article provides troubleshooting tips and solutions for common problems with failed boolean operations. Checking…

Understanding Curve and Mesh Topologies Curves and meshes in Blender have different topological structures that impact how they deform when modifiers are applied. Curves use a series of vertices connected by segments, while meshes use a web of vertices connected by edges and faces. Knowing the topology of your curves and meshes is key to…

What are Bezier Curves and Why They Matter Bezier curves are a mathematical curve type often used in computer graphics and modeling. They allow the creation of smooth organic shapes and complex winding forms. Bezier curves are defined by a set of control points or “handles” that pull and deform a generated curve. By moving…