Working with SubD

kimga · 29 Oct 2021, 11:21

I was trying to model a spoon following an old YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acOTcMzwV2o ) using SubD, Vertex (first version), and Quad Face Tool.

I am halfway through, seemly following the tutorial well, but the result is already looking different.

Note- the end is not curved. And generally, mine just doesn't curve as much. Could be the scale? Could be the SubD version I am using? I also had a problem with the geometry after modifying with the SketchUp native scale, so I started using Fredo Scale - just as in the tutorial...

Is there a better way to start with squad modeling?

Is there an alternative to squad modelling for organic shapes? I am designing and documenting furniture and architectural design.

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Box · 29 Oct 2021, 12:42

If you attach your model we have a better chance of pointing out what may be wrong with it.

Rich O Brien · 29 Oct 2021, 13:45

I didn't look at the video. But based off of your images it looks like your topology around the spoon head is not flowing in a way to help with a concave form.

Something more sphere based would generate nicer results

subd_spoon.skp

GD3Design · 29 Oct 2021, 14:30

You just need to set 'Boundary Corners' to 'Smooth'. With your object selected, click the 'i' in the SubD toolbar to open entity info. You'll find the settings for boundary corners there. More info here: https://evilsoftwareempire.com/subd/manual/entity-info#boundary-corners

kimga · 30 Oct 2021, 10:44

Thank you. I will start learning quad from the beginning.

What would be the best way to start?

HornOxx · 30 Oct 2021, 11:51

@kimga said:

...What would be the best way to start?

Hi - here in the sketchUcation forum is a place (at least for me it is THE PLACE!!!) to orientate yourself from beginner to advanced which I must recommend to you.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=397&t=63826&hilit=+subD+Models
And maybe one more recommendation for SubD newbies - don't necessarily try to build any specific things in the beginning but rather just play a bit with more simple geometries to get a better feeling and experience about the behaviour of this tool(s) and the therefore necessary associated techniques.

and be warned - danger of addiction!

kimga · 1 Nov 2021, 11:24

Thank you "HornOxx"

I tried to do just that - playing around, but find it easier to remodel after YouTube examples.

I am looking for rendering software. When it comes to rendering I am very lazy. Tried V-Ray (which gives amazing results), but I got lost setting up the materials and the lighting.

I quite like Lumion, but it's way too expensive for me, especially as I have very rarely had the honor to design a house in a natural environment. I still trying to work my way up, but at the moment it`s more like a small-scale concept design.

I tried TwinMotion as it comes with ArchiCad for free. I quite like the seasons and animations, but I found it a bit too game-like, and for small-scale projects, furniture design - seems the direction of my work too this year - I just need something quick and easy to set up. I need the materials to be realistic in front of a black skeet.

Any suggestions on this front?

Cheers

GD3Design · 1 Nov 2021, 13:31

You may want to check out Enscape. It is about as close to 'plug and play' as you can get. I use Enscape from time to time, and it produces great results for the time you put in, but still mainly use Vray for the high quality photo-realistic renders. Enscape is lacking in a few areas, like metal reflections. I've had to switch back over to Vray when rendering kitchens with all stainless steel appliances because they just werent up the level we needed for super-high-end renderings. Also when we needed advanced multi-layered materials, need the power of a renderer like Vray for that. But still, Enscape is pretty amazing for what it does and how quickly it does it.

To get good results with whichever tool you decide to go with, you will have to learn the basics of materials & textures.  Diffuse, reflections/glossiness, bump/normal maps...and creating good seamless non-tiling textures.   I should also note, Chaos Group has great getting started tutorials....maybe give their tutorial on materials a shot and see how you go.  They also have a pretty extensive library of ready to render materials built in now.  Here are the quick start tuts: [https://www.chaosgroup.com/vray/sketchup/tutorial-videos](https://www.chaosgroup.com/vray/sketchup/tutorial-videos)