Arguably the single most important aspect to modeling is topology. This Blender 2.5 overview tutorial takes a look at the topology of both the male and female human torsos, examining each of the main edgeloops, poles, etc.
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Discussion
38 Responses to “Topology Overview: Male and Female Torso”Leave a Comment
I think I want to make a human now. Thanks!
Same here.
lol the description is just a tad bit incorrect just a little Heads up.
I love these Topology Videos they really teach me something I even end up taking notes!
Thanks Jonathan
Whoops! Thanks for the heads up. It is fixed now. Also it’s great to hear you like the tutorial!
-Jonathan
these tutorials, and walkthroughs of mesh topology are invaluable. I learn more from you guys than any other blender tutorials on the web. keep ‘em coming.
With comments like these we most certainly will “keep ‘em coming.”
-Jonathan
“Sorry, the creator of this video has not given you permission to embed it on this domain.”
Am I the only one getting this error? It’s getting a bit irritating, because I really like blendercookie
.
You will see this error if you are trying to embed the video anywhere outside of Blender Cookie or Vimeo. This is because we don’t authorize embedding anywhere else.
Are seeing this error on Blender Cookie? I just checked and it’s loading fine here.
-Jonathan
Is there a good tutorial out there for controlling and editing topology? I understand the logic behind it, and I can model a nice-looking model, but every time I try to make an organic model, I feel like I end up with awful topology and terrible deformation with no choice but to start over.
I have a previously published tip on controlling topology flow here: http://www.blendercookie.com/2010/02/01/tip-controlling-topology-flow/
-Jonathan
Jonathan,
You are awesome. Thanks so much. Learned tons.
The topology series really is great and will certainly be a reference in the future for so many blender users.Thanks for the great effort of understanding and transmitting this to the community Jonathan.
hi Jonathan, great tutorial as always
this might be a stupid question, but why do you exactly color the model with different colors? to see the deformation? or what’s the reason
It just makes it easier to see the different loops, rather than if they were all a single color.
thanks… that’s logical!
These tutorials are very helpful. Also, I wanted to ask, Do you know where the “add tool” menu went on the left side menu? Is it just gone completely? Keep up the great work
The tool shelf has been temporarily removed while in beta stage for multiple reasons, which I cannot immediately remember at the moment. There is a good chance it will come back in the near future.
-Jonathan
Also, there are two invaluable resources every 3D modeler must read:
- loops and poles, http://www.subdivisionmodeling.com/forums/showthread.php?t=907
- a well put together summary of the above, http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=93651
1) understand the technical aspect (advantages and pitfalls) of loops and poles
2) learn to lay edge loops the way you want
3) finally, learn to see the edge loops in each form
After that, modeling is so much easier!
This will be especially good if you use 3D coat if you have seen the latest update ;D
Jonathan,
So, when you model these torsos, do you first lay down the main edge loops and then fill in the gaps?
Hi Will,
Often times I box model the basic form and then do some edge-by-edge tweaking to get a better topology flow. However, if I am doing a highly detailed torso then I lay down all the loops one by one to recreate the major muscle forms.
-Jonathan
Great stuff! It’s pectoral, not pectorial though. Not trying to nit-pick, but if anyone understands that the devil’s in the details, it’s an animator.
This is really quite awesome. I had always thought the body to be a bit harder then it actually appears. Thank you very much for this run down of the torso Topology. I can’t wait to apply it.
What would Leonardo DaVinci think? I’m a painter/musician just beginning to dip into this realm. Thank you very much for your work. Payday will come. Peace.
Is it possible to have a tutorial about topology of knee and elbow??
Jonathan, you don’t know it but you’ve probably taught me 80% of what I know (I am a fan), I do have a question for you though. My first lessons go way back to the Montage DVD, specifically the rear shoulder blade (mid back, bringing the edge loop down the center of the back and then up through the arm-pit along the bottom of the arm). I really like the detail it produced. In this tutorial the front chest bone is doing the same, except from the front. My question then is do you (or would you still recommend) the loop flow in the back like that for the detail? If so would they meet in the middle and run up the bottom of the arm or would you redirect it elsewhere? I’m just curious of your opinion as I respect it deeply, and thank you for your time (in all you do).
Hi, first off, thank you for the very humbling comments.
As for the topology, I still find it useful to use the flow you are referencing. However, it largely depends on what amount of detail you are aiming for. Back when I originally did that DVD we did not have sculpting and so the mesh had to be setup in order to allow further detail to be added and still maintain proper edgeflow. Now you can use a simpler mesh with sculpting and achieve even more detail. In the end it really comes down to what the end target for the model is.
-Jonathan
Thanks for the response =D
invaluable indeed!!!
You mentioned a previous tutorial in which you made the female torso. Can you please direct me to that one? Thanks for your time and information.
I just figured out you were referencing the character from Sintel. Sorry.
Great tut. I was wondering if you could make a tutorial showing how you made that heroic male from the ground up? I tried to apply your edge flow technique to a model I have but I only made a mess of things.
I second that. I’d like to see them both worked from the ground up, but more specifically, how to alter the simple boxed-out model into these more refined meshes. I saw some of it in the Mechanic tutorial, but that body shape is a little particular.
Well, you have all parts except the knees. What about creating a tutorial about that?
by knees I meant legs -.-’
many thanks for the info
brilliant !
Thanks Jonathan, I Love your teaching style. Great tutorials.
Do I have to do this kind of layout every time i want to do a human body?