3D Design and
Modeling
Lec 2
Mudabbir Ali
The Recap
Today’s agenda
•basic geometric shapes like cubes,
spheres, cones, and cylinders to the
scene.
•Understand transformations:
moving, rotating, and scaling objects.
•Introduction to Object Mode vs. Edit
Mode and how they differ in use.
basic geometric
shapes
• Primitive shapes in Blender:
• Primitive shapes like cubes,
spheres, cones, cylinders,
and toruses are geometric
objects that are commonly used
as starting points for modeling.
• These shapes are simple, yet
versatile. Almost every 3D
object can be broken down into
a combination of these basic
forms.
Examples
• For instance, when modeling a
car, you might start with a cube
for the body, cylinders for the
wheels, and spheres for the
headlights.
The add menu for adding shapes in
scene
• In Blender, objects can be added via the "Add" menu.
This menu gives access to different types of objects,
including mesh primitives.
• Shortcut: Press Shift + A to open the Add menu.
• Navigating the Menu: Go to Mesh > and then choose
the shape they want to add (e.g., Cube, UV Sphere,
Cylinder, Cone, etc.)
Basic geometry shapes
Explorations
Each shape has unique properties:
• Cube: A basic six-sided box that can be scaled and modified.
• Sphere: A round object that can be used to model anything
from planets to organic shapes.
• Cylinder: Often used for pipes, poles, or cylindrical objects like
cans or pillars.
• Cone: Can be transformed into objects like traffic cones,
spires, or even trees.
• Torus: A doughnut-shaped object, useful for creating rings or
circular structures.
Basic geometry
shapes
Positioning the Shape in the Scene
• After adding a shape, we
position it correctly in the
scene:
• When adding shapes, they will
appear at the position of the 3D
cursor. The 3D cursor is the point
where new objects are placed.
• To move the 3D cursor before
adding shapes, you can use
Shift + Right-click to position it
anywhere in the scene.
Object Mode vs. Edit Mode
distinction between Object Mode and Edit Mode in
Blender:
• Object Mode: Used for manipulating entire objects (move,
rotate, scale).
• Edit Mode: Allows for more detailed manipulation like editing
vertices, edges, and faces.
• Example: "In Object Mode, you move the entire object, but in
Edit Mode, you can modify the shape itself by adjusting the
individual components.
Object Mode vs. Edit Mode
Practical Use of Modes:
• Object Mode is for positioning and transforming
objects.
• Edit Mode is for adjusting the details of a model,
refining shapes, or adding complexity.
Switching Between Modes:
• Use the Tab key to switch between Object Mode and
Edit Mode.
Object Mode
Edit Mode
• While in edit mode you will have 3 different options
available:
• Line
• Vertices
• Face
Note:
• If you try to add another shape in edit mode then both
different shapes would act as a 1 object while if we add
shapes in objects mode then both shapes would be
considered as different objects
Transformations (Move)
• Moving Objects
• The Move Tool (G key) or
Transformations (Move)
• Axis Constraints: By pressing G + X, G + Y, or G + Z,
students can move the object along the X-axis, Y-axis,
or Z-axis respectively.
• Example:
• G + X: Moves the object only along the X-axis (left and
right).
• G + Z: Moves the object only up or down (along the Z-
axis).
Common Mistakes and How to
Avoid Them
•Moving objects without constraints: When objects are moved freely
without constraints, they can end up in unwanted positions, such as
floating in the air or being misaligned with the ground.
•Solution: Always check the object's position from multiple angles to
make sure it’s in the correct spot and use axis constraints for precise
placement.
•Accidentally moving the wrong object: Sometimes, students may
accidentally grab the wrong object or select multiple objects without
realizing.
•Solution: Make sure to have only the desired object selected.
Encourage students to check their selections before using the move tool.
Transformations (Scaling Objects)
Scale Tool (S key):
• You can use the S key to scale objects uniformly or along
specific axes by pressing S + X, S + Y, or S + Z.
•Practical Example:
•Demonstrate scaling a cube or cylinder to change its
proportions. For instance, turn a cube into a rectangular box by
scaling along the X-axis.
Transformations: Rotating Objects
Rotate Tool (R key):
• using the R key. Like the move tool, rotations can also be
constrained to specific axes (R + X, R + Y, R + Z).
•Practical Example:
•Rotate a cylinder along the X-axis to make it lie horizontally.
Combining transformation
combining transformations (moving, rotating, and
scaling) is a key skill in modelling
Transformations can be combined to manipulate objects in more
complex ways. For example, create a table by scaling a cube to
form the tabletop, then adding cylinders for legs and rotating
them as needed.
You are encouraged to think about how transformations work
together in creating more intricate models.
Snapping and Precision Tools
• This slide focuses on snapping and precision tools in
Blender, which are crucial for ensuring that objects are
aligned properly and positioned accurately within the
3D space. These tools are particularly important when
creating complex models or scenes where precise
positioning is necessary. Here’s a detailed explanation
of how to cover this content.
• Snapping Tool (Shift +
Tab):Show how the snapping
tool helps place objects exactly
where they want in relation to
other objects or the grid.
• Practical Use:Demonstrate
snapping a cube to align
perfectly with another object.
