3-D Modeling. Soft and hard surface (Listening/reading) (Des./TT) Test 01 a)

3D Modeling, hard and soft surface

There are two types: hard surface modeling and organic modeling. Both are used to create 3D objects with the same type of polygons, similar mesh, and almost the same software.

Organic (soft) modeling. The things organic modeling covers range from people and animals to trees, plants, and other organic objects. Generally, these are living things. That’s why animated objects are also considered organic though they might be man-made.

Usually, organic models are built of complete quads – four-sided polygons. It helps to avoid deformation at the rendering and animation stages. So, the shape doesn’t matter that much as long as the number of sides equals four, unlike in hard surface modeling.

Though a 3D object is already created in a polygon 3D modeling software, it doesn’t mean it is complete.

To add finer details and produce more real-life models, an object is imported into sculpting software like ZBrush. Only then does it get the realistic touch it needs to meet the expectations.

Nevertheless, to master organic modeling, you have to explore a lot of reference images and study the anatomy of living things to bring them to life in a digital environment.

Hard surface modeling. It is modeling man-made objects that contain no curves or smooth edges. Generally, it covers all inorganic and non-living objects like cars, buildings, computers, furniture, and any other static machined objects.

The first thing that differentiates hard surface modeling from organic is the type of polygons used. The latter requires a model to be of complete quads.

However, hard surface modeling is far more moderate in that matter. The number of sides in a polygon doesn’t matter that much, as long as a result is satisfying.

Hard surface modeling is a preferred way for beginners to learn how to 3D model. Creating plain flat edges is generally simpler than complex detail-oriented models.