Autosmoothing degrees

Not sure I understand how much you are supposed to "autosmooth" a certain mesh? You are using 30d, 35d or even 75d but I haven´t been able to discern any pattern to this. Can you please elaborate?

EDIT: Went around and saw your "Normal map modelling course", so that´s gonna come in handy. However still not clear on the amount of smoothing. 30d vs 180d for example. 

  • Jonathan Lampel replied

    Hey Adam, I'm glad that course helped clear things up! As for which auto-smooth angle, I typically only use an angle less than 180 if it just so happens to sharpen all the edges which should be sharp. When in doubt, just set it to 180 and mark edges manually. 

  • Adam Plechaty(cryczech) replied

    Thank you! Just to be clear when selecting/marking sharp edges, the number when selecting should be the very same as the auto-smooth angle? 

  • Jonathan Lampel replied

    I'm not sure I understand the question, number of what? 

    Either way, I wouldn't base anything off of the auto-smooth angle. Instead, base any decisions about what to mark sharp on whether or not you want it to have a beveled edge or flat surface there.