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Basics of Digital 3D Modeling

The basic Elements of 3D

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bendnlsn

about 1 year ago

1 article submitted

When it comes to digital 3D modeling, there are a few things must be remembered:

1st: All images and animations are created in a virtual 3D world. This means that everything is calculated using the 3 axis: X, Y, and Z. Or more commonly known, Length, Width, and Depth.

2nd: Everything you see in a 3D image or animation are made up of the same 3 elements: Vertices, Lines, and Polygons.

3rd: Lighting, reflections, and other visual effects are calculated by the computer. The elements are set up by the modeler, but the sheer logistics of a scene are covered by the computer.

Now, as you can see in the image, this sphere is made up of the basic elements. All the orange points are connected by lines, and polygons fill the holes in between the lines.

All the points, lines, and polygons are placed on the 3 axis, and given coordinates. It's these coordinates that make the sphere appear 3D. In fact, as far as the computer is concerned, the sphere really IS 3D.