Learn the names for common skills and see which specializations use each.

Polygonal | Low Poly | Hard Surface Modeling

Polygonal modeling (also known as low poly modeling) focuses on using a limited amount of polygons per model. A low poly modeler focuses on creating specific arrangements of faces in order to create a model.

Low poly models improve render time by having a limited number of faces. "Modifiers" are often used to add complexity and detail to a low poly mesh. Low poly modeling is often used in video game art and animation since fast render times are a priority.

Polygonal modeling is also called hard surface modeling; hard surface models have flat surfaces and regular curves. Some examples of inorganic objects are vehicles, appliances, and buildings.

A "subdivision surface" modifier and "smooth shading" were added to this low poly base mesh

Sculpting | High Poly | Organic Modeling

Sculpting ( high poly modeling ) involves manipulating a high density mesh with tools that imitate modeling with clay in the physical world. Sculpting is an intuitive way of creating a 3D model.

Sculpting is a form of organic modeling. Organic objects have irregular forms, volumes, and textures.

3D sculpts have an extremely high polycount and are not meant for animation. These models are usually used for 3D printing and still image renders.

High poly sculpts have messy mesh data

Vertex Painting

Vertices can have color data attached to them. You can use paint brush tools to apply colors to vertices via vertex painting.

Retopology

Retopology is the process of creating a low poly base mesh while using a high poly mesh as a reference. The goal of retopology is to create a new mesh that is fit for animation and fast renders. The high poly mesh is used to project different detail maps onto the low poly mesh to create the illusion of detail.

Materials & Lighting

Lighting can add drama to a scene. You will learn about the most fundamental and effective lighting system - the three point lighting system. Materials define how light interacts with the surface of a model. Materials can be shiny, dull, luminous, transparent, and more. Some creators write scripts to create their materials, most Blender artists skip manual scripting by using Blender's node-based material creation system.

A 3-point lighting system was used to add dramatic lighting to this sculpt

UV Mapping & UV Texturing

2D textures are applied to a 3D surface via UV mapping. UV mapping involves unwrapping the 3D mesh faces onto 2D coordinates. Faces are spread out like a suit or a cloth in a sewing project.

The XY & Z coordinates are used for 3D space, so U & V are used for 2D mapping.

You can use 2D paint programs to create UV textures, You can also use Blender to create UV textures by painting directly on the model.

The most common mappings for UVs are the diffuse (color) map, normal (bump) map, and specular (reflection) map. These texture maps create the illusion of detail for a low poly model.

Rigging

Rigging is the process of attaching a mesh (model) to an armature (skeleton). Rigs are used to deform and move a mesh during animation.