What Is 3D Modeling? Understanding the Basics

Key takeaways

3D modeling is a tool used to help turn ideas into tangible products by creating three-dimensional representations of objects or scenes.

• As a versatile technique, 3D modeling has grown in its applications across various industries, from animation and gaming to manufacturing and automation. 

• Common types of 3D modeling techniques include solid modeling, procedural modeling, wireframe modeling, or surface modeling.

• You can use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the 3D modeling process by automating portions of the process and enhancing model quality.

Explore the fundamentals of 3D modeling, popular types, common modeling softwares, and how AI is shaping potential future uses. Or, start building your AI skills with the AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization. In as little as four weeks, you can build an understanding of what AI is, its applications, and use cases across various industries. By the end, you’ll have a shareable certificate to add to your professional profile.

What is 3D modeling? 

This valuable tool allows you to create three-dimensional representations of objects or scenes using specialized 3D modeling software. Using 3D modeling, you can create a digital representation based on an existing or imagined object that conveys the physical or planned object’s size, shape, and texture. Unlike 2D models, you can view 3D models from any angle, including modified, scaled, and rotated, within the specialized 3D modeling software. 

The three dimensions of 3D objects refer to an object’s height, width, and depth. The basic building blocks of 3D models typically include vertices, edges, and polygons: 

• Vertices: Points that define your model’s shape 

• Edges: Straight lines that connect the vertices 

• Polygons: Surfaces created by connecting the edges of your model or where two polygonal faces meet

 Read more: What Is 3D Design? And How to Get Started

Types of 3D modeling 

Many types of 3D modeling have various applications and uses. The kind you choose depends on the software type, available tools, and your overall goal of creating a 3D model. 

1. Solid modeling 

Solid modeling is a computer-aided drawing (CAD) technique used to create 3D solid objects. It allows you to create detailed 3D digital objects from simple 2D sketches or basic geometric shapes. This method involves taking a rough 2D sketch with dimensions, materials, and composition and turning it into a 3D digital model that shows volume, surfaces, holes, and voids. You can then assess how the object responds to real-world stimuli by manipulating it from different angles. 

2. Procedural modeling

This is a technique used in computer graphics where you use rules and algorithms to generate 3D models. Procedural modeling can save you time when building more detailed 3D models. Instead of manually building models, procedural rules allow you to streamline the process, resulting in an efficient method for creating plants, buildings, or landscape models. Procedural modeling requires automatic generation, the repetition of processes, and randomization when necessary, making for a more efficient technique for artists and animators to create 3D models. 

3. Wireframe modeling

This model type is a skeleton of a 3D object created with points, lines, and curves that outline (like a wireframe) an object's edges. Wireframe models have no surfaces. These models help generate previews of models to assess and save time compared to rendering other models. 

4. Surface modeling

This process involves converting 3D objects to show smooth surfaces so you can check for imperfections more easily. Since surface modeling allows you to represent the exterior and surfaces of your object visually, it’s a very useful technique for creating mechanical parts or more intricate shapes.

5. NURBS (Non-uniform rational B-splines)

This model type allows you to create smooth 3D surfaces using curves. Splines have anchor and control points that enable you to create these smooth, curved lines. Engineers and automotive designers often use NURBS surfaces because they provide more exact mathematical precision, which is necessary in some industry applications.

6. Polygonal modeling

This 3D modeling type allows you to create highly detailed and intricate 3D models ideal for applications in animation, video games, film, and more. When creating polygon models, you have direct control of the mesh, vertices, and faces of the model, allowing for the creation of these more intricately designed models. 

What is an example of a 3D model?

Examples of 3D models you might find across industries include props for films to create lifelike characters, mockups of buildings to help architects visualize final designs, and detailed anatomical models to help surgeons build operating plans before working directly on patients. Professionals often use this type of modeling technique to create detailed representations of larger objects, test new plans or ideas, or refine the design process before product launches.

Types of 3D modeling software

You’ll find a wide variety of 3D modeling software programs, each with unique features and applications. When choosing a 3D modeling software program, consider factors like versatility, ease of use, features, cost, and operating system compatibility. Some popular 3D modeling software programs include the following: 

Blender 

Blender is a free, open-source software for creating 3D graphics and animations. Blender is particularly popular among individuals and small studios due to its flexible workflow and regular updates. It is compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows and has a consistent OpenGL interface. Being community-driven under the GNU General Public License, anyone can contribute to its development. 

SketchUp 

SketchUp is one of the simpler 3D modeling software programs that allows you to create a range of objects for various purposes, from buildings to product prototypes. SketchUp Free is available to anyone interested in modeling, featuring cloud storage, access to the SketchUp Viewer app, and a 3D warehouse with other user-generated content. SketchUp Go, SketchUp Pro, and SketchUp Studio are subscription-based options that vary by features and cost. 

Autodesk Maya 

This professional 3D modeling software allows you to create hyper-realistic effects in animation. You can create 3D models within Maya, including Polygon and NURBS models. Additionally, it’s notable that you can run this software on Windows, Linux, and Apple operating systems. 

Unity 

Unity is a popular 3D software primarily used for gaming and film, but it can also have industrial applications in architecture, engineering, manufacturing, automotive, and more. Known for its versatility, Unity allows beginners and experienced developers to create high-quality interactive content. You can choose from many subscription-based options for gaming and industry applications, including Unity Personal, Unity Pro, Unity Enterprise, Unity Industry, Unity Student, and various Educator plans. Unity also offers cloud-based plans and cloud services. 

AI and 3D modeling 

In the context of 3D modeling, generative AI works by using machine learning algorithms to create 3D objects. AI-powered software and generative AI techniques and tools streamline the 3D modeling process for designers, making it simpler to analyze and test designs with real-time feedback, automating certain aspects of 3D modeling, and allowing for generating more realistic and detailed models. 

From gaming to manufacturing, AI hopes to influence the purpose and process of 3D modeling for the better. Some AI platforms that you can use for 3D modeling include the following:

• Sloyd: This platform, which is in a beta version, allows you to customize models with text prompts and other intuitive tools.

• HEAVY.AI: This tool allows you to create interactive visuals for volume rendering solutions, a common type of 3D modeling.

• Masterpiece X: This generative AI platform enables you to create 3D models using mesh, textures, and animation.

• Spline: This web-based platform is a great option for real-time collaboration and offers features for a wide variety of 3D modeling applications.

What is 3D modeling used for? 

3D models have many uses and applications. Some reasons include figuring out the feasibility, cost, and other factors of manufacturing a product. Many industries offer 3D modeling jobs with various applications for the modeling process. Some industries include the following.

• Animation: Artists use 3D models for character and environment models to simulate movement and convey important issues about different scenes.

• Gaming: Modelers rely heavily on 3D models to create virtual worlds and model characters, environments, items, and more.

• Manufacturing: Manufacturers often use modeling for product design and prototyping, which allows them to test and refine designs more accurately before going to final production.

• Architecture: Architects use 3D models to visualize and refine their designs before the construction phase begins, which helps architects identify potential issues, streamline the planning process, and ensure the final structure aligns with the initial plans and ideas.

• Interior design: Interior designers rely on 3D modeling to create realistic renderings of spaces, which helps clients visualize design ideas better and make informed decisions.

Process of 3D modeling

The overall process for building 3D models is generally the same, with some differences depending on the type you want to create. Explore the basic process below. 

1. Conceptualization 

The first step in the 3D modeling process is conceptualizing your design. You may go about brainstorming in a variety of ways. For example, many people rely on storyboards and scripts to conceptualize characters, settings, and more in animation and film. In architecture and design, this initial step may include gathering measurements and information on physical details and design elements. 

2. Modeling 

Next is the modeling phase. Using specialized 3D modeling software, you’ll begin to draw your object in three dimensions. Depending on the type of 3D model (i.e., solid, surface, etc.), you’ll likely start with a basic geometric shape and begin manipulating edges, vertices, and surfaces to create a basic model of your object. Once you have created the basic outline of your model, you’ll adjust the polygons to match the intended use for your object. 

3. Texturing 

Texturing involves creating a 2D texture map that you apply to or wrap around a 3D model. The map includes information about the characteristics of how the mesh surface of the 3D object should look (i.e., smooth, rough, shiny, wrinkled, bumpy, etc.). The type of texture map you choose affects the colors, patterns, look, and feel of the object and also considers how light hits the surface to enhance realism even further. While texturing techniques vary, the main steps include UV unwrapping, texture painting and shading, lighting, and rendering.

4. UV mapping 

Once you’ve created a UV or texture map during the texturing phase, it’s time to move on to the mapping process. Here, you will overlay or wrap your texture map onto your 3D model, creating the mesh layer of your model. During UV mapping, you will use software tools to translate your 3D mesh into 2D information so that you can wrap the textures you’ve created (based on 2D images) around the model.

5. Rendering 

The final step in the 3D modeling process involves taking the 3D model and turning it into an image or sequence of images depending on the application (i.e., film, architecture, video games, animation, etc.). During this step, you will create hyper-realistic, high-quality images or animations by adding elements such as shadows, light, and other visual and special effects. The resulting images or animations are ready for use in various applications, from film and video game creation to architectural visualization and beyond.

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