Create and modify meshes

00:04

In this video I’ll create this mesh object.

00:09

Before I get started I’ll select the 3D Modeling workspace.

00:13

This gives me easy access to the most commonly used 3D modeling tools.

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Now I have the Solid, Surface, and Mesh tabs available on the ribbon.

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Because 3D objects are easier to create and visualize in a 3D view,

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I’ll hold down the shift-key and mouse wheel button while moving the mouse to change the view.

00:32

I could also change the view using the ViewCube.

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Next I’ll select the Wireframe visual style from the Viewport Controls

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to make sure I can see all edges of the model.

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Now I’m ready to get started.

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I’ll select the Mesh tab, then the dialog box launcher

00:49

and set the number of tessellation lines.

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Mesh objects are divided into multiple faces.

00:55

I can adjust the number of faces by changing the number of tessellation lines.

00:59

To create my Mesh object, I’ll start with a mesh primitive, in this case a mesh box.

01:06

I’ll draw the mesh box giving it a length, width, and height.

01:12

Next, I’ll select the mesh box, right-click and select Smooth More.

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I’ll repeat the Smooth More command by pressing Enter two more times

01:22

to increase the smoothness of the mesh to Level 3.

01:25

Now I’ll reshape the mesh object.

01:28

I’ll hold the CTRL key and select the faces I want to edit.

01:32

I’ll use the Move Gizmo to move the faces I select.

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Notice the yellow highlight on the gizmo.

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This indicates whether the movement will be constrained along the X, Y, or Z axis.

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Next I’ll right-click over the Move gizmo

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and select Rotate Gizmo to add more curve to the object.

01:54

Now, the yellow highlight shows the plane of rotation.

01:58

I’ll use Add Crease to remove the smoothness from the selected faces and create sharp edges.

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Next, I’ll select the mesh object,

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right-click and select Refine Mesh to increase the level of smoothness.

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To get a better idea of how my mesh will look,

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I’ll select the Shaded visual style from the Viewport Controls.

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And finally I’ll orbit around the mesh by holding down the shift-key and mouse wheel button.