SubD examples and models

Hieru

Quick question.

What happens if you share a SubD model (without converting to plain mesh) and someone without SubD opens it? Do they just get the control mesh?

thomthom

Yea, it'll appear like any other SketchUp group/component.

kaas

If I could ask the experts; I'm totally new to subD. Trying it out for making furniture.
Started making the frame for a Stack Stove Cubi. Whats the best strategy for the indicated areas? The easy way is to just continue the lines from the horizontal frame onto the leg. But I'm trying to keep the polycount as low as possible as well.
Any suggestions?

stackCubi_leg.skp

HornOxx

Hi Kaas
I would recommend Tig´s Split Tools which generate quads at the connection points like sketched below.

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43376
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcGGcLndeTE

Split Tools.jpg

Hieru

Thanks Thomas

Hieru

@Kaas

Sometimes you can bend over backwards to keep loops to a minimum (see examples either side of central control meshes)...

...only to find that there isn't that much difference in the poly count:

In this instance you might even find that using RoundCorners is the most economic and efficient way to model this form.

Corner.skp

kaas

@HorNoxx; thanks for the suggestion. I already found and use that gem by TIG.
@Hieru; thanks for the effort and insight. It confirms my idea that subD in some cases might lead to more faces than conventional methods like roundcorner or native tools. Still learning though and lots of fun.

stackStove_cubi_test1.skp

Hieru

Happy to help . I'll take a look at your model tomorrow, but from the looks of things your workflow is coming along nicely (certainly more advanced than when I was starting out).

One thing I will add is that sometimes the extra geometry is worth it e.g. for UV mapping or selling models in different formats.

On the topic of UV mapping, I suspect that my left-hand control mesh might be the better approach for mapping. Hopefully someone who knows more about UV unwrapping will be able to confirm or refute this.

kaas

@hieru said:

On the topic of UV mapping, I suspect that my left-hand control mesh might be the better approach for mapping. Hopefully someone who knows more about UV unwrapping will be able to confirm or refute this.

I was thinking about the mapping as well. there is some stretching visible so need to fix those. Its lots of fun. Artisan experience from few years ago helps a lot - its knife tool as well.

Hieru

I still use Artisan where SubD isn't appropriate, but like you I use it in conjunction with SubD. As well as the knife tool I use it to preview subdivision as I'm modelling - mostly because it won't triangulate areas I haven't finished quad modelling, but also because it can give a more detailed preview of the flow and detail of the subdivision.

kaas

Wish: a universal toggle all SubD on/off (selected maybe) as right click option would be welcome. If you have an assembly of several subD's this is nice to have.