SubD examples and models

Rich O Brien · 31 Jan 2016, 15:49

Cotty how do you display the subquads without the triangulation showing?

QuadFace Tools > Unsmooth Quads

thomthom · 31 Jan 2016, 17:45

[attachment=1:1vpqla6u]SCF_Cotty_subd30.png[/attachment:1vpqla6u]

That's a great example of blending shapes with creases. I'm thinking I should set up a dedicated section on the website for these types of studies.

thomthom · 31 Jan 2016, 17:47

@rich o brien said:

@cuttingedge said:

Cotty how do you display the subquads without the triangulation showing?

QuadFace Tools > Unsmooth Quads

But what about the thicker lines in that render - representing the original edges? How is that done? Multiple passes?

cotty · 31 Jan 2016, 18:31

@rich o brien said:

@cuttingedge said:

Cotty how do you display the subquads without the triangulation showing?

QuadFace Tools > Unsmooth Quads

Yes, screenshot here: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=397%26amp;t=63826%26amp;start=30#p585747

@thomthom said:

But what about the thicker lines in that render - representing the original edges? How is that done? Multiple passes?

Since two of your plugins are not enough :

SubD
Edit group
Select all
SeletionToys: Select only -> Edges
Group selected edges
Gropued edges without faces are treated as profiles
Increase profile width in the style settings
Exit SubD group
Unsmooth quads

HornOxx · 31 Jan 2016, 20:26

not a plane but at least a wing

plane wing.skp

JQL · 31 Jan 2016, 20:51

That wing rocks HornOxx!

alvis · 31 Jan 2016, 20:55

Can you explain to me, why the first attempt fails. Why I should select one edge of triangulated face, that the second attemt must be fine.
https://youtu.be/XiUtriWV_lo

thomthom · 31 Jan 2016, 21:11

@alvis said:

Can you explain to me, why the first attempt fails. Why I should select one edge of triangulated face, that the second attemt must be fine.
https://youtu.be/XiUtriWV_lo

The Convert triangulated Mesh to Quads function doesn't always succeed. It's hard, impossible, to reliable determine exactly how the mesh should be converted as it would require AI understanding of the mesh's topology. In your example it's easy for use humans to see what should be a quad, but not for a script. The script doesn't even take into account soft/smooth/hidden properties - it just sees a set of triangles.

In the case of your mesh there it looks like you have hard edges and then some soft+smooth edges between triangles pairs. Then you want to use the Convert SandboxTools Quads to QuadFace Tools quads instead. (left to the monkey icon). If those edges where hidden you you'd want to use the Blender Quads to QFT Quads function (the monkey icon).

derei · 31 Jan 2016, 23:18

@thomthom said:

@alvis said:

Can you explain to me, why the first attempt fails. Why I should select one edge of triangulated face, that the second attemt must be fine.
https://youtu.be/XiUtriWV_lo

The Convert triangulated Mesh to Quads function doesn't always succeed. It's hard, impossible, to reliable determine exactly how the mesh should be converted as it would require AI understanding of the mesh's topology. In your example it's easy for use humans to see what should be a quad, but not for a script. The script doesn't even take into account soft/smooth/hidden properties - it just sees a set of triangles.

In the case of your mesh there it looks like you have hard edges and then some soft+smooth edges between triangles pairs. Then you want to use the Convert SandboxTools Quads to QuadFace Tools quads instead. (left to the monkey icon). If those edges where hidden you you'd want to use the Blender Quads to QFT Quads function (the monkey icon).

Humm, i was in similar situations... means that either more documentation is needed to make it easier to understand when to use each function, or maybe if you would think appropriate, to make the quad-detection script to be more "intelligent", so it can take into consideration multiple parameters at the same time. For example not all Fredo Tools are good in creating or preserving quads... but they do smoothing. So, would be good to rely better on conversion.
Thank you! Keep up the good work !

thomthom · 31 Jan 2016, 23:42

Yes, better documentation is indeed in need - as well as improving the tools. But docs are on the top of my list when I get home from my travels next week.

I plan to set up a new site for QFT - move away from the BitBucket wiki.
Better text and visuals describing the various features of QFT. GIFs to illustrate common topology pattern.

And extend SUbD's site to include more examples of how various topology patterns subdivide.

cuttingedge · 2 Feb 2016, 04:32

I was thrilled by the panton chair example shared by Ithil3d on youtube. I thought I'll build one trying slightly different method. A good few minutes and here's what i got.

HornOxx · 2 Feb 2016, 06:33

@cuttingedge said:

... I thought I'll build one trying slightly different method. A good few minutes and here's what i got...

This is a very good SubD example!
how often and unsuccessfully I tried exactly this chair

pilou · 2 Feb 2016, 10:55

Yes the difficulty with Subdivision modeling against the Nurbs modeling where you have yet all the curves of the model, is to imagine the "rustic" cubic form before it's transformation!