Please note: This tutorial was originally written for 3D Canvas 7. It has not been fully updated to reflect the changes made in 3D Canvas 8. An updated version will be made available in a future version of 3D Canvas 8.

Surface Tool Modeling - Part 2

In Part 2 of this tutorial we add detail to our dinosaur head.

bulletOpen the model you created in Part 1 of this Tutorial or click here to download the sample model.

Double-click the shape to open it in the Surface Tool.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling1.gif (16573 bytes)

 
bulletWe will begin by adding detail to the eye. There are not enough control points available to shape the eye and eyebrow. We will need to divide the eye surface in order to add the detail required.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling2.gif (44409 bytes)

 
bulletSelect the eye surface. Click Button-DivideSurfaceHorizontal.gif (934 bytes) to divide the surface horizontally.

Divide the two created surfaces horizontally.

This will give us four surfaces to sculpt an eye and eyebrow.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling3.gif (45115 bytes)

 
bulletSince we will be merging surfaces later, it is necessary that we ensure that each surface edge meets up with one and only one other surface edge.

Divide the surfaces as shown.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling4.gif (45051 bytes)

 
bulletReshape the surfaces such that the eyebrow and eye are defined.

Use a whole surface to model the eyebrow and a second surface to model the eye.

We will add depth to the eye and eyebrow later.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling5.gif (34132 bytes)

 
bulletThe eye does not yet have any depth, though simply moving control points to create an outline of the eyebrow gave it adequate height.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling6.gif (39700 bytes)

 
bulletThe nostril also requires more control points. Click Button-DivideSurfaceVertical.gif (941 bytes) to subdivide the surfaces of the nose vertically.

Again, ensure that you divide surfaces so that each surface edge meets one and only one other surface edge.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling7.gif (34066 bytes)

 
bulletReshape the surfaces of the nose to create a nostril.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling8.gif (40343 bytes)

 
bulletClick on the eye surface and push it in.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling9.gif (39700 bytes)

 
bulletPush in each of the central control points of the interior of the nostril.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling10.gif (35881 bytes)

 
bulletTo create eyelids, pull out control points and shift them over top of the more central control points.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling11.gif (34066 bytes)

 
bulletThe mouth needs more control points in order to add the required detail.

Horizontally divide the surfaces above and below the mouth.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling12.gif (34066 bytes)

 
bulletPush in the control points between the lips.

To create lips, shift the control points immediately above and below the mouth so that they nearly overlap the control points in the mouth.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling13.gif (26081 bytes)

 
bulletNow on to some final touch ups.

The eye does not have enough depth so pull the central control points out slightly to give a round eye.

The back of the head needs some adjusting to ensure that when the shape is mirrored that there will be a smooth transition between surfaces.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling2-14.gif (34288 bytes)

 
bulletClick Button-SurfaceColor.gif (295 bytes) to turn off surface colors. Turning off surface colors can assist in finding places that have been missed.

Close the Surface Tool.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling2-15.gif (32229 bytes)

 
bulletWhen the shape is copied to your scene, the edges between surfaces are smoothed. But if there is an excessive peak or hollow where surfaces meet, it will be apparent.

Click here to download the model completed in this part of this tutorial.

 

 TutorialSurfaceModeling2-16.gif (22354 bytes)