3D Art: Modeling Unit 4

4.1.1 Moving Rotating, & Scaling: The Quicker Way!

Today's Agenda

Basic keyboard shortcuts in Blender!

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP ACITIVTY

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• For the brave out there... let's share your robot designs in Blender! Check out the Padlet link on the homepage and share yours!

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

CLAY SCULPTING

• Check out this timelapse video of ceramic artist, Sam Clark making one of his dragons.
• In the chat: How do you think modeling in clay is similar or different from modeling in Blender?

MANIPULATOR REVIEW

Remember the tools we discussed last unit? Let's review...

• Move
• Scale
• Rotation
• Add

Let's review where to find these in Blender...

These tools which allow you to move, scale, and rotate objects are referred to as manipulator tools.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS!

• Many common digital art applications feature keyboard shortcuts to make your work easier.
• While not necessary to use the program, they speed up the process significantly.

In the Chat...

What are some keyboard shortcuts you use daily?

BLENDER SHORTCUTS!

• Blender has so many keyboard shortcuts to make your modeling easier.
• They can be found on the Blender website (and a link is on the way in the chat...)

Blender Website

MANIPULATOR SHORTCUTS

Let's check these out in Blender

• Move - G (as in Grab, not M for Move)
• Scale - S
• Rotate - R
• Transform - T (all the things all at the same time)
• Add - Shift+A

All of these (except add) can be aligned to only act on one axis by clicking (not holding) X, Y, or Z

When you're manipulating an object and something goes awry, you can click "ESC" on the keyboard and it will reset. If you've left-clicked already, you should click CTRL-Z

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Let's put some of these keyboard shortcuts into practice.

• Use the new keyboard shortcuts in Blender to manipulate any three (or more) shapes you'd like.
• Create an object of your own choosing (it can be rough)
• Post it in the class Padlet under today's date.
• The teacher will be in the Zoom meeting for questions and help.

exit ticket

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blender

next class

Edit Mode in Blender!

4.1.2 Edit Mode in Blender

Today's Agenda

Edit Mode Blender

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• How are you feeling today, on a scale from 1-5?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

Topology

In the modeling world, the way things are arranged or organized is called the topology.When planning how to build a 3D model, it is important to decide what basic shapes you are going to use and how to arrange these shapes to get a layout of the object.

Relevance of Topology

While creating the topology for the 3D model, the goal is to have sufficient details in the wireframe and keep the number of faces to the minimum number (low poly) necessary to accomplish the job. In areas where the 3D model needs to be broken down, the designer usually increases the number of polygons to allow movement of the elements without distortion. The oddly shaped cherry on the right is an example of what happens if you have a lower number of polygons. Polygons usually have three, four, or five sides, called tri, quad, poly, or N-gon. Here, n refers to the number of sides and this can vary in range. All these polygons can be used to make a topology. However, quads tend to give the best results. A clean topology makes it easier to edit later.

Adding Primatives

You can add primitives to your 3D scene by using any of the following:

• object mode
• edit mode
• primitive tab

The teacher will walk through each way of adding objects in Blender. Keyboard Shortcut: Shift-A (you have slightly less options in this method than in Edit Mode.

Selecting Verteces, Edges, & Faces

Once you've added your basic shapes, learning to mold and manipulate those shapes is the next step. Into EDIT MODE we go! From there, we will learn how to:

• Identify the different elements of a shape.
• Select the elements.
• Modify those elements.

Let's check out the video to learn more about selecting and manipulating the different elements of objects.

Molding Primatives

Do you want to build a snowman?

Now, it's your turn! We're going to work on the activity in today's Edio lesson, on page 8 and build a snowman! The teacher will demonstrate first, and then will be around for questions for the rest of the class. Post your Snow-people to the class Padlet! Have fun!

exit ticket

MATERIALS NEEDED

Post your Snow-People to the Padlet!

Blender

next class

Exploring Edit Mode

4.1.3 Exploring Edit Mode

Today's Agenda

Create a dresser in Blender

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Do you recognize any of the tools used?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

Exploring Edit Mode Tools

When you switch to edit mode in Blender, you unlock an entire tool bar. This allows you to edit the vertices, edges, and faces in multiple ways. The tools we will utilize in this lesson include the extrude, inset, and loop cut. You can be creative and add extra decorations to customize your model to whatever you can imagine. Today we're going to use edit tools to create a simple dresser!

While in Object Mode...

• Open Blender, there should already be a cube in the center origin.
• Click the object to select it. You can use the move tool to place your dresser where you like.
• Using the scale tool, you can stretch your shape into however you want. Make sure to view your object from all angles.
• If you would like to add legs or decorations on top of your dresser, you can add different shapes by going to the "add" tab and selecting "mesh". Once you have added the shape you want, you can edit them using the same tools.
• In case you want to undo an action, you can press Ctrl+Z.

Then, in Edit Mode

You can switch between object and edit mode by hitting the "tab" button on your keyboard. You can also click on the drop down menu labeled "object mode" in order to switch to edit mode.Remember, beside the "edit mode" tab, you can select vertices, edges, or faces. What you are selected on, determines what you are editing.

• In edit mode, click on the "loop cut" tool. This allows you to slice your object into sections. This creates more faces for you which you can later turn into dresser drawers. I have separated mine into 3 sections because I want 3 drawers.
• Next, select the the faces in edit mode and then the inset tool. Using the inset tool, you can create a smaller face for each drawer.
• Next, select the smaller face you just created in the inset. Select the extrude tool and extrude your face out. If your extrusion isn't lining up, you can also press X,Y, or Z for it to line up on the axis you need.
• Once you have inset and extruded every drawer, feel free to add finishing touches like knobs, inset and extrusions inside the drawers, legs, items on top of the dresser, etc. Feel free to make it yours.

Now, it's your turn!

• Now you get to make a dresser too! Check out the directions on Edio, and create your own dresser.
• You can upload a screen shot of the dresser to the assignment on Edio, AND post it to the Padlet.
• The teacher will be in Zoom for questions.
• Have fun!

exit ticket

MATERIALS NEEDED

Post screen shots of your dresser in Padlet!

Blender

next class

Adding Modifiers

4.1.4 Adding Modifiers

Today's Agenda

All about Modifiers!

Materials:

• Blender

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

What does modify mean?

What is a Modifier?

Most 3D applications have various tools to modify or alter a 3D object. These tools are called modifiers, a feature in 3D modeling that allows you to sculpt and edit objects. Modifiers can change the size, shape, and design of an object.Modifiers give you more flexibility and speed by working less destructively.

click for blendermodifiers!

Modifier menu in blender

To add a modifier on Blender, click the modifier properties on the bottom right of the Blender panel.

Understanding the Modifier Interface

Head over to today's Edio lesson (page 5) to check out the graphic about the Modifier Interface. Or, check out the next page...

click the tool tips to learn more!

Applying Modifiers

Next, we're going to check out adding some common Modifiers. The teacher will demonstrate these...

• Array
• Subdivide
• Mirror
• Solidify
• Displace

More

More

More

More

More

Now you try!

Open Blender and try adding modifiers to an object. When you're finished, please add them to the class Padlet! The teacher will be there the rest of the class to help.

"Hop" over to the Padlet here!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Exit Ticket

Blender

next class

Modifier Stacks

4.2.1 Adding modifiers Stacks

Today's Agenda

Modifier TabStacking modifiers

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Do you recognize any of the tools used?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

Stacking Modifiers on 3D Objects

Modifiers are like Ogres and Onions - they have layers. Many modifiers can be stacked on top of each other to affect your model, and the order really matters!

What is a Modifier?

Most 3D applications have various tools to modify or alter a 3D object. These tools are called modifiers, a feature in 3D modeling that allows you to sculpt and edit objects. Modifiers can change the size, shape, and design of an object.Modifiers give you more flexibility and speed by working less destructively.

REVIEW

Applying Modifiers

Next, we're going to check out adding some common Modifiers. The teacher will demonstrate these...

• Array
• Subdivide
• Mirror
• Solidify
• Displace

REVIEW

Follow Up: Applying MOdifiers

Following up on our converstation last time - you can add your modified object geometry - and edit it - by doing the following:

• Edit your object.
• Go into Object Mode
• Click on the drop down menu on your modifier.
• Click "Apply"
• WARNING - Once you do that, you cannot change that modifier. It's set.

Modifier Stacks

After adding multiple modifiers, you should be careful about the sequence of modifiers. If there is a change in the sequence of modifiers, then it would change the output. Original Sequence In this image 1, you can see the model. To achieve this, the subdivision modifier was first added, and later, after some modifications, the wireframe modifier was added to this object, resulting in the shape seen below.

Modifier Stacks

Reversed Sequence Reversing the sequence of the modifiers will make the object change its form. In the first image, you can see the wireframe modifier, followed by the subdivision modifier, unlike the previous one. This change in the sequence alters the 3D object.

Modifier Stacks

Does this make sense? Just to be sure, check out the following video about modifier stacks. (sorry for the ads)

You Try it!

Open Blender, and do the following steps:

• To the existing cube, add modifiers.
• Now, add an array modifier to this cube.
• To this, add the screw modifier.
• Now finally, add the subdivision surface modifier
• After getting this, check what happens when you change the sequence of these modifiers in any order.
• Add your screen shots to the class Padlet.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Exit Ticket

Blender

next class

UV Mapping

4.2.2: uv mapping

Today's Agenda

What is texture?adding texture UV Tab

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• What makes this look so realistic?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

What is texture?

Texture & 3D Models

Pick a Texture

1. Go to Google images
2. Look up whatever texture you like!
3. Right click "save"
4. We will use this texture in Blender

Keep track of where you save it!!

uv mapping

In 3D modeling, textures are applied to objects using a process known as UV mapping, which means mapping a 2D texture onto a 3D object to create a realistic texture. UV maps wrap textures around a 3D model on a flat surface. In UV mapping, U and V denote the axis of the 2D texture on the UV grid, while X, Y, and Z are used for the axes on the 3D object. Creating a UV map is called unwrapping, which means that a 3D object is opened up, and a 2D texture is added to it.

Unwrapping steps

Follow along with the teacher to unwrap a mesh:

• Add a mesh or use the default cube.
• Mark the seams:
• Make sure you're in edge select mode.
• Shift-click all the edges you'd like to make a seam.
• Click UV - Mark seams
• Enter UV Editing workspace
• On the right side, click "A" to select the whole object
• Click UV - Unwrap

Drawing on UV Map

Now that you've got a UV Map, let's save and draw on it!

• In the UV layout, click UV - Export UV layout.
• Name and choose where to save it.
• Open your UV map in the drawing app of your choice - like Krita from Digital Art, or Photoshop, etc.

applying the texture

Now let's wrap that texture back around your object!

• Back in the Blender layout workspace
• Go to material properties for the project
• Go to the base color, click on the yellow dot
• Choose, "Image Texture" from the options
• Click on "open texture"
• Find your image that you drew on
• Apply the new image
• Go to Material Preview Viewport Shading to view your new texture

Now it's your turn!

Go ahead, try the previous steps out for yourself. You can do it!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blender

next class

COLOR!!!

4.2.3: colors!

Today's Agenda

Adding colorReviewing texture

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• What workspace is this artist working in?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

The Importance of Color & Texture

Colors can beautify things around us. It is the outlook of any object based on the way that it reflects or emits light. Textures help make things around us realistic. It describes how something feels rough or smooth or fluid and so on.In 3D modeling, shading plays a vital role in making objects or scenes look authentic. Shading relates to light. Well-illuminated areas are lighter, and depth is darker. Light is the main reason why we see colors, textures, and shading.

Adding color to an object

Let's add color to an object of your choice!

• Open Blender.
• Add a mesh.
• In the Materials section of properties, click on the Base Color.
• Choose the color of your choice.
• Check it out in the Material Preview Viewport Shader.

Adding color to another object

If you add another object, you'll have to create a new material. Try this...

• Add another mesh to your scene.
• In the Materials section of properties, click on New.
• Click on the Base Color.
• Choose the color of your choice.
• Check it out in the Material Preview Viewport Shader.
• You should see both object with different colors.
• If you want to switch between materials, click on the beach ball looking item and switch between materials.

Shading and Texture

The texture is an image file designed to wrap around a model (or maybe a tiling image that can be repeated across many surfaces). A shader determines how a surface appears under a scene's lighting based on textures and numeric values.

The shading Workspace

Let's explore the shading workspace a little further.

The shading Workspace

• Click on the shading workspace. This mode gives an idea about the output of an object even before rendering it.

The shading Workspace

• Click on the Material tab to add material to any object.

The shading Workspace

• Press the Slot menu if there is more than one material on the screen. From the Slot drop-down menu, select the Material you wish to edit. It is also possible to add the material to the Layout Workspace.

The shading workspace

• You can add more material by pressing the [+] button or pressing New. The world also has a shader, which can be manipulated by selecting the world on the Object drop-down menu.

The shading workspace

• The shading workspace has a file explorer window. This helps to navigate and add image textures to the scene.

A brief word on nodes

Nodes are processing blocks in Blender, it can be combined to produce complex effects by connecting them according to the model's requirement.Compositing, textures, or materials can be created on models using the complex effects produced using nodes.

A brief word on nodes

• To add a node, press the Add button in the shader editor.
• For hotkeys, press “Shift A” or search nodes by clicking on search as every node is not available in the drop-down menu.
• A few Nodes are gradient ramps, noise, textures, normals, and so on.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blender

next class

COLOR!!!

4.2.4: Lighting!

Today's Agenda

Adding colorReviewing texture

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

• What do you think the term "color temperature" means?

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

Lighting & Mood

Lighting & Mood

What is the mood in this photo?

Lighting & Mood

What makes this alley scary?

Lighting & Mood

Where is the light source in this photo?

Light source - means where the light comes from

Lighting styes

The two most broadly-defined lighting styles in film/tv/animation/photography are High Key and Low Key lighting. In this sense "key" means the brightest light in a scene that illuminates the main action.

(this isn't in edio, it's your teacher going on a tangent)

high key lighting

Brightly illuminated, with low contrast. Conveys an upbeat mood. Often used in comedies.

low key lighting

Dark overall image. High contrast ratio. Dramatic and conveys a lot of atmosphere and tension. Used in serious dramatic films, and historically in film noir and German Expressionism.

Lighting in Blender

Lighting in Blender

Next, let's head over to Blender where the teacher will demonstrate how to use the different kinds of lights and manipulate them using the same tools we use for all objects.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blender

next class

Rendering

4.2.5 Rendering

Today's Agenda

Rendering Post Production

Materials:

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• What makes this look so realistic?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

What is rendering?

Rendering is a process used to create photorealistic or non-photorealistic images or videos from a 3D model using a computer program. Rendering is the final stage in the graphics pipeline in 3D modeling, which gives the final output for an image or a scene.

Pre Production

PRoduction WOrkflow

• Planning
• Choosing style
• Choosing colors

Production

• Creating the models
• Adding colors and textures
• Adding light

Post Production

• Editing after rendered

Rendering Passes in Blender

In Blender, you can find the render passes by going to the View Layer Properties in the Properties panel. Here you have a section called Passes.

Rendering Engines

EEVEE vs Cycles

Eevee

• Quicker render

• Best for low poly

Cycles

• Longer render
• More realistic
• Great for lighting

Let's see how to find the render engines in Blender...

Compositing

Compositing is a step after rendering in the production workflow, which helps to achieve the perfect effects and light enhancement for your scene or a particular image. The process serves to assemble all the different render passes and layers produced. Compositing allows for image adjustments without requiring another long time of rendering throughout the rendering pipeline. In compositing, it is important to separate the foreground, which is the character of your scene or image, from the background, which is the environment in the scene, to give distinct light treatment to the character in contrast to its background.

rendering passes in blender

These are a few render passes available on Blender:

• ambient occlusion
• shadow
• lightning pass
• refractivity/transparency

Ambient Occlusion

Ambient occlusion is a rendering and shading technique that is used for calculating each exposed point in the scene to ambient light. Look at the image on your right. The area below the window or far to its corner is darker (occluded) than the area which is directly exposed to the light coming through the window.

shadow

When you have to show the locations of shadows in the scene, you use the shadow pass in rendering. It often appears as a white shadow region against a black background, a black shadow against a white background, or a rendering of shadow embedded in an alpha channel. Shadow passes can also have two elements:

• cast shadow
• attached shadow

lighting

An optical part of multi-pass rendering is nothing but a lighting pass. It adds flexibility and controls the composition process. You can render multiple light passes, which show the influence of one light or a group of lights on an element. Other lights are either deleted or hidden when the lighting pass is rendered.

refractivity/transparency

It is the amount of light passing through the object and falling behind it or getting scattered by hitting a certain point on the object giving the effect of the image perfection.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Blender

next class

Basket Weaving Time!

4.3.1 : Basket time!

Today's Agenda

Project - you can NOT submit blank today

Materials:

I will demonstrate how to do the project in class

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Do you think this would look as cool without the lighting and color?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

What are we doing?

Creating a simple basket

1. Create basic shape of basic using transform tools
2. Put holes in basket using modifiers
3. Put texture on basket
4. Adding light source *optional

Can i Submit Blank?

No- this is a project

The process - day 1

The teacher will demo this.

1. Sketch your rough basket and submit it in edio.
2. Create a new Blender file and save it to the desktop.
3. Delete the generic cube, and add a UV sphere.
4. Adjust the scale as needed for your basket.
5. View your model in wireframe mode (in the top right-hand corner of the viewport)
6. In Edit Mode, adjust your shape. Click and drag (off the model) to highlight all the edges and vertices you want to get rid of, then click delete.
7. Check your basket in solid model view.

The process - day 1

Page 2

1. Add a wireframe modifier to your basket shape to give it the look of a woven basket.
2. Adjust the modifier parameters to make the basket thicker.
3. Add a subdivision modifier to close the gaps in the basket even further.
4. Save a screen shot and submit it to the assignment in today's lesson in edio.

What are we doing?

Creating a simple basket

Check out this video for a demo of this technique from another CCA teacher!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Remember - you have to turn in work today

BlenderPencil & Paper

next class

We finish the basket!

4.3.2 : Basket time!

Today's Agenda

Project - you can NOT submit blank today

Materials:

I will demonstrate how to do the project in class

• Blender

WARM UP QUESTIONS

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Do you think this would look as cool without the lighting and color?

• Be kind and respectful
• Ask questions
• Don't spam the chat
• Have fun

What are we doing?

Creating a simple basket

1. Create basic shape of basic using transform tools
2. Put holes in basket using modifiers
3. Put texture on basket
4. Adding light source *optional

Can i Submit Blank?

No- this is a project

Go into Edio

or

Get a basket texture from google

The process - day 2

The teacher will demo this.

1. Download the texture file from edio, or find the texture of your choice from the internet.
2. Answer the texture and color question on edio.
3. Add a base color in the Materials Properties of your model (make sure you've highlighted your model or this won't work)
4. To add the texture, click on the yellow dot next to the base color in Material Properties. Click on Image Texture.
5. Click on the Open option to find your texture on your computer.
6. Check your model in the Material Preview or Rendered Viewport Shading to check it out.

The process - day 2

Part 2

1. Add a point light, and adjust the color to green.
2. Add a second light - a spot light.
3. Adjust the locations, rotation, etc. of each light until it gets to where you want it.
4. Check your model in Rendered Viewport Shading again to make sure it looks the way you want.
5. Take a screen shot of your final mode and upload it to edio!
6. Complete the reflection assignment on edio.

What are we doing?

Creating a simple basket

Check out this video for a demo of this technique from another CCA teacher!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Remember - you have to turn in work today

BlenderPencil & Paper

next class

We Start Unit 5!

The Array modifier creates an array of copies of the base object, with each copy being offset from the previous one in any of a number of possible ways. Vertices in adjacent copies can be merged if they are nearby, allowing smooth Subdivision Surface frameworks to be generated.

The Subdivision Surface modifier (often shorten to “Subdiv”) is used to split the faces of a mesh into smaller faces, giving it a smooth appearance. It enables you to create complex smooth surfaces while modeling simple, low-vertex meshes. It avoids the need to save and maintain huge amounts of data, and gives a smooth “organic” look to the object.

The Mirror modifier mirrors a mesh along its local X, Y and/or Z axes, across the Object Origin. It can also use another object as the mirror center, then use that object’s local axes instead of its own.

The Solidify modifier takes the surface of any mesh and adds depth, thickness to it.

The Displace modifier displaces vertices in a mesh based on the intensity of a texture. Either procedural or image textures can be used. The displacement can be along a particular local axis, along the vertex normal, or the separate RGB components of the texture can be used to displace vertices in the local X, Y and Z directions simultaneously (sometimes referred to as Vector Displacement).