Page 74 - 3D World - October 2017

TuTorials
Master Extrude

3D essentials

master extrude

In the first of our new series of CG basics we look at the extrude function

f you’re new to CGI there are Some software can perform mileage can vary from application
far too many tools to choose multiple extrudes at once on a to application, but edge extrusion
I from in a dizzying array of recurring command, which can is great for building out polygons
software. This series aim is to create curved and twisting shapes when retopologising existing
break everything in CGI down to with one click. meshes from a 3D scan, for Author
the very basics, so that every artist There are some things to be example, into a more ordered
can be armed with the knowledge aware of when extruding, as with form for animation or rendering Mike Griggs
of which tool is best. The journey everything in 3D, best practice without artefacts. Mike Griggs is a 3D and
begins with the extrude function. pays dividends. Make sure the Extrusions can be manipulated visual effects artist
extruded polygon is ideally a when they are being performed, with vast experience
the root of 3D creation quad (four-sided polygon). While either in rotation, translation or across the industry, as
Extrusion can change a single most CG applications do support scale, this is how most basic ‘box’ both a creator and a
polygon into a box, a disc into a extrusions on n-gons, polygons modelling is done. Box modelling technical writer.
simple cup, or if reversed, a hole with more than four sides can is a technique of starting any www.creativebloke.com
in a wall. Achievingt a successful create issues. This includes the model, whether it is a dragon or
extrude, which can then be dreaded overlap if the n-gon is a Ferrari from a six-sided cube,
built on to form more complex being reduced in scale at the using the extrude tool to create
modelling functions, depends same time as it is being extruded. basic topology (an arrangement
on how many edges or loops are It is not just polygons that of polygons in a mesh). Mastering
added after the extrusion, as well can be extruded, edges can be the techniques of extrusion is the
as the source polygon itself. and so can points/vertices. The foundation for any good model.

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