In this short guide, we\u2019ll shed some light on its basic components, and the process in general to give you a better idea of a polygon mesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Polygon Mesh?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A polygon mesh is the collection of vertices, edges, and faces <\/strong>used to define the shape and the contour of the 3D object. It is the oldest form of geometry representation used in computer graphics to create objects in 3D space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea behind it is simple. Polygon stands for the \u201cplanar\u201d shape made out of connecting virtual points. But polygon mesh is far more than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s get into more detail here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though the concept of the polygon mesh is a little blurry, it all comes to be simple once you study the geometry behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the elements of a polygon mesh:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> usually you want the number of vertices that make up a face to be in the same plane. However, if you have more than three vertices, polygons can be either concave or convex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Except for all the elements we\u2019ve already discussed, it\u2019s important to mention the UV coordinates too, since most meshes support them. UV coordinates comprise the 2D representation of a 3D object to define how the texture is applied to it while UV mapping<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though polygon mesh finds application through a variety of techniques, it is not the ultimate solution. There still are objects that you can\u2019t create with the mesh representations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can\u2019t cover curved surfaces and organic objects generally. Not speaking about liquids, hair, and other creased objects which are hard to create with the basic polygon mesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we get into more details of the polygon mesh creation process, we\u2019d like to cover the most common tools you use for constructing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Though you could create a polygon mesh manually by defining all the vertices and faces, the more common way is to use specific tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Subdivision tool<\/a>, as the name implies, splits edges and faces into smaller pieces by adding new vertices and faces. The old vertices and edges define the position of the new faces. However, it may alter the old vertices connected in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n e.g. You can subdivide a square face into four smaller squares by adding one vertex at the center and each side of a square. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, subdivision produces a much dense mesh with more polygonal faces and has practically no limit. It can continue infinitely many times until you create a more refined mesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this method, the outline of the entire object is traced from the 2D image or drawing and extruded into 3D. Extrusion tool applied to a face or a group of faces to create a new face of the same size and shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, modelers create half of the object, duplicate the vertices, invert their location in relation to some plane and connect two parts. It is very common in modeling faces and heads to reach more symmetrical forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last but not least method of creating polygon mesh is connecting different primitives \u4e00 predefined polygonal meshes provided by most 3D modeling <\/a>software. They include cylinders, cubes, pyramids, squares, discs, and triangles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now let\u2019s walk you through the process of creating a polygonal mesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it is a video game, 3D product, or cartoon character you\u2019re modeling, it all starts from a mesh. That\u2019s why all of the most popular 3D modeling<\/a> software, like Maya<\/a>, 3d Max, and Blender, provide you tools for creating, texturing, rendering, and animating 3D polygon meshes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating polygon mesh usually starts from drawing the basic shapes of the future object from different angles. At least front, and side views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The actual modeling process starts from creating a low poly model<\/a> to define the general forms of the object. To add on details to your input mesh, you move it into a high poly modeling<\/a> stage and increase the number of polygons with any construction tool you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> higher number of polygons makes your model resource-heavy and hard to process on applications with small computational power. Keep that in mind while creating your model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once modelers reach the intended level of detail with the polygon mesh, they texture the object to make it more real-like. However, adding basic color doesn\u2019t cover it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make a model look like a variety of surfaces and even apply each plane a unique texture, 3D modelers map places of the mesh on an image. That\u2019s exactly when UV coordinates come into play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And that covers it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s the final step for your polygon mesh, but not your model. If you want to animate your object, it also has to go through the rigging and any other part of the 3D animation pipeline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To see how this all works in action, check this awesome guide: <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/how-to-edit-a-polygon-mesh-car.jpg\")
Polygon Mesh: Elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/how-to-make-a-polygon-mesh.jpg\")
Construction Of Polygonal Meshes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Subdivision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"box](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/box-subdivision-polygon-low-faces.jpg\")
![\"high](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/high-poly-count-subdivision.jpg\")
Extrusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"polygon](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polygon-mesh-extrusion.jpg\")
Conjunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"polymesh](\"https:\/\/3dstudio.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/polymesh-conjunction-primitives.jpg\")
How Do You Create a Polygon Mesh?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n