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A3 - Modelling Practice

In this assignment, we will take a short break from our donut so you can get used to some of the modelling techniques in Blender.

You will be doing all your modelling in Edit Mode. When you have multiple objects, you have to select the one you want to work on when you're in Object Mode, then hit the TAB key to switch to Edit Mode.

Adding Geometry

Loop Cut (CTRL+R)

In my mind, I call this a "ring cut" to help me remember the keyboard shortcut.

  • Press CTRL+R
  • Hover your mouse until the loop you want to cut is in yellow. If you hover over an edge, it will give you an option of a loop that is perpendicular to that edge.
  • Use the mouse scroll wheel to add multiple cuts if desired
  • Left click
  • Use the mouse to slide the cut if desired
  • Left click

Inset (I)

  • Make sure you're in face select mode
  • Select a face
  • Hover your mouse over the corner of the face
  • Press the I key
  • Adjust the inset as desired with the mouse

Knife Cut (K)

This lets you make a cut to the mesh anywhere you'd like.

  • Press the K key
  • Click where you'd like the cut to start
  • Click where you'd like the cut to end
  • Optionally, add more cuts to the path
  • Press the ENTER key when done

Altering the Geometry

When you alter the geometry, you will normally start by selecting an edge or a face (or perhaps, less commonly, a vertex). You can then press the hot key for the alteration you'd like to do.

Scale (S)

  • Press the S key
  • Use the mouse to alter the scale

A useful technique is to ALT+Click on an edge to select a loop, then scale that particular loop.

Extrude (E) or Grab (G)

These are similar but not exacly the same. Experiment with both to get a feel for the difference.

  • Press the E or G key
  • Use the mouse to pull out the face you want to extrude or grab

Bevel (CTRL+B)

  • Select the edge where you want the bevel
  • Press CTRL+B
  • Use the mouse scroll wheel and mouse the mouse to create your bevel as desired
  • Left click

Your Task

Experiment with all of these features in Blender, in as many documents as you'd like.

Show me one of the things you came up with.