Basic moddeling questions

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Hi all, this is my first CGCookie question on a forum. Exciting! I hope you can help me out with a couple of modelling questions. And if my question are not meant for this forum, please let me know where I can ask my questions. Thanks in advance!

Question 1: I tend to combine every object into the 'main' object. In general, do we keep objects, such as above, separate or do we combine them as one?

Question 2: As you can see on the left image, the circle isn't completely round anymore. This is because (see right image) I needed to add extra edges in order to connect extra mesh. How can I prevent this 'not being completely round anymore because of extra edges from happening?

Question 3: First of all, I try to work as 'non destructive as possible'. So for the depth of this model, I added a solidify modifier. As seen on the image above, I want to make the corner sharp. I am aware that I can add extra edgeloops from the left or into the eye, but that will create unwanted sharp edges as seen in question 1. I can't however make a 'mean crease', because I use the solidify modifier. How can I fix this?

  • spikeyxxx replied

    Hi Paul!

    Those are good questions...

    I will try and answer them, but be aware that those answers are not 'absolute'; there are other and possibly better ways...

    Question 1: 

    You can do what you want! The general rule might be, that when they are separate pieces 'in real life', they should be separate objects.

    If you want to use different modifiers on two objects, they should stay separate, or you should apply the modifiers that are different.

    Question 2:

    If you enable the Loop Tools addon, you can apply the mirror ( you can re-add it later) and select an edge loop and make that into a circle. You'd have to do that for all three edge loops in your case. If you don't do that, you will have different 'density' in your topology

    and that will show.

    What I would do, is to make two high resolution spheres where the main and 'eyelid' are and then shrinkwrap you mesh to those helper spheres. You will need to change the modifier order:

    First the mirror, then the subsurf, then the shrinkwraps (I would use two of them) and the solidify last.

    Make two vertex groups and shrinkwrap one to the larger sphere and the other...you'll get the picture;) 

    Question 3:

    First, move that five-sided pole away from the edge (general good practice), then you make two edge loops, one on either side of that edge that you want sharper. If you use the shrinkwrap method this should not give you any problems.

    I hope I understood your questions correctly and that this is helpful to you.

  • Paul Vink(paulmcmxcii) replied

    spikeyxxx Hi spikeyxxx, thanks for your reply! You did understand my questions correctly and I do find your answer very helpful! Thanks you! I will try this :)