How To Make 3D Models – Step By Step Guide
How to make 3D Models?
Creating high-quality 3D Models is not impossible but time-consuming and you need patience, skill, and practice.
If you are a beginner 3D Artist, you cannot create high-quality 3D Models like a professional 3D Artist.
You can learn 3d Modeling step by step. You can use the below tips to create very high-quality 3D Models.
How To Make 3D Models – High Poly
1. Collect References Images
Most beginners use only one reference image while working on a 3D Modeling project, it’s not a professional approach.
You need to collect many reference images for 3D Modeling through various websites like ArtStation, Pinterest etc.d
Once you find enough reference images, you can organize these reference images for easy finding. For this task, you can use the free software PureRef.
2. Blocking & Detailing
Mostly beginner artists add detailing at first and it’s not a wrong approach but it is slow. For example, you create a Detail 3D Model without blocking and you notice that your 3D Model Proportion is not right.
At this point what you do, you need to create a 3D Model again.
So, most 3D Artists create basic shapes or lockout the 3D Models, once they find it the basic shape is good, they move to the second step.
Once block out is done, you need to add detailing like Edge loop, holes, nuts and bolts etc.
3. Sculpting
After creating high poly models, some shapes are not achieved with 3D Modeling software. So we use sculpting software such as Mudbox and ZBrush.
It depends on you which sculpting software is better for you. For me I use ZBrush. After Sculpting, save your model as a separate file.
You need this file later.
4. Mesh Cleanup
For the 3D Character Model, you need to avoid triangles and NGon. Make sure that all things are in Quads.
For the Hard Surface Model, NGON are bad triangles are ok so try to convert NGON to Quad or triangles. Triangles are ok in hard surface models but NGON are bad.
When You model you will create Triangle, Quad, and NGON (Faces more than four sides), now your task is to find the NGON.
In Maya, you can find NGON by Mesh Cleanup, for other 3D Software you find find same or similar types of tools.
5. Some Extra Thing
So you create your High-Quality 3D Models but need to care more. First of All, Check your 3D Model twice to make sure that your Model is error-free.
After that, Delete the 3d Model history, Freeze Transformation delete all the layers and delete the Reference Image that you use in 3D Software.
Give all the parts a Proper Name, its time consuming but it’s necessary to stand out from the Crowd as a 3D Artist.
6. Unwrapping
UV Mapping is boring and time-consuming, especially for beginners.
Mostly beginners create Automatic UVS and complain on social sites and forums about why my 3D Model textures are not of high quality like professional 3D Artists.
Stop complaining, invest your time in unwrapping your 3D Model manually.
7. 3D Texturing
You create high-quality 3D Models and Unwrap the 3D Models manually but without proper texture, your model does not look realistic.
You can’t create realistic texture in Main 3D Modeling software. For realistic-looking texturing, you can use PBR-based software such as Substance Painter, Mari, 3D Coat etc.
If you don’t know how to use 3D Texturing software, you can follow Substance Painter Tutorial Collections.
8. Rendering
You can render your 3D Model in your Main 3D Modeling Software such as 3DS Max or Maya etc or a Texturing software such as Substance Painter.
But Rendering Software such as Marmoset Toolbag is far better and faster. In Marmoset Toolbag you will find a lot of options for rendering.
You can try Marmoset Toolbag for Rendering and you will love it. After rendering, you can use PhotoShop for post-production.
How To Make 3D Models for Games and Real-Time Applications – Low Poly
Creating High Poly Models is easier than Creating low poly 3D Models because Low Poly takes so much time and you need to care about polygon count according to the project.
But if you follow the professional workflow, Practice and patience to make the 3D model in Lowpoly.
1. Make High Poly Version First
If you don’t know how to make high-resolution or High-Quality 3D Models then you must read this post from Start.
After Creating a High-Resolution Model, do a Proper retopology for your High Poly Mesh or you can remove an additional edge and add a triangle to reduce the polygon count.
You can also use the mesh reduce tool in Maya to reduce the polygon. In other 3D Modeling software, you can find the same or similar types of tools.
2. Make Low Poly Version First
Don’t create high poly mesh first, Keep the polygon count in mind. Create a Low Poly version from the start, you can build a hard surface-type shape in a minimum polygon easily.
Some organic-type shapes are hard to achieve with this workflow without smoothness, but not impossible. If you try you will achieve the organic type shape without subdivision.
After Creating the Low Poly version, save it as LowPoly or a similar name, you need it later.
3. Add High Poly Detail
Open your Low Poly version, and add Some high poly details such as nuts, bolts, lines, patterns, and anything that is required in 3D Modeling or Sculpting software.
After adding high poly detail, save it as High Poly. After That Unwrap the Low Poly Model.
4. Bake Mesh Mesh, Texturing and Rendering
In Substance Painter or Marmoset Toolbag, Open Low Poly Model and Bake High Poly Detail from High-Resolution Mesh.
Do a Proper Texture in Substance Painter and Render your Model. So to make Low or High Poly 3D Models, you can also sell your 3D Models to earn some money.
Where to Make 3D Models Online / Offline and Free?
You can use free 3D Modeling software such as Blender or Free online software such as Vectary, Sketchup etc.
You can also use these software to create 3D Models for school projects.
9. Now It’s Your Turn
So I will share the complete to create high-quality 3D Models, Tips and Tricks. If you know any other valuable tips for 3D Artists, Kindly share them in the comment section.
If you love the post, kindly share it with the 3D Artist.