From photorealistic product visualisation, through AR, to the creation of unique and unimaginable 3D worlds in VR, the ability to produce photorealistic 3D models is often foundational for us to develop AR/VR immersive experiences for our clients.
For the sake of simplicity, we will explain how the 3d model of this chair is created. It is a primer on “How to start 3D modeling process for a chair”
Conceptualization and Form Study
Before we jump into any 3D modeling software such as 3ds Max, Maya, Sketchup, etc it is important to study and research the chair that needs to be modeled. The 3D artist should understand shape, form, and proportions of the chair in real life. Part of the study could be just searching for ‘office chairs’ on Google search engines. Or, one could just observe the chair in one’s office or home.
What is 3D Modeling?
3D modeling is the process of creating a visual and digital representation of a real or fictitious object. 3D modeling is being used almost everywhere lately, such as, in cinematography, gaming, app development, architecture, automotive, healthcare, education, product configuration, sales, and presentations, and now in e-commerce for online retail like furniture, modular kitchens, etc..
There are various 3d modeling techniques such as Polygon, NURBS, Digital Sculpting, Photogrammetry etc. For this particular office chair, we are going to use the polygon modeling technique.
Polygon Modeling Technique
Polygons are straight-sided shapes (3 or more sides), defined by three-dimensional points (vertices) and the straight lines that connect them (edges). The interior region of the polygon is called the face. Vertices, edges, and faces are the basic components of polygons. One can select and modify polygons using these basic components.
In simple terms, you take a primitive shape like a cube, cylinder, or sphere as a starting point and work along the modeling process until the model is complete. Using simple shapes as building blocks is a great method of making your work more efficient and straightforward.
Modeling castors using a simple cylinder
Texturing & UV Mapping
UVs (pronounced U-VEEZ) are two-dimensional texture coordinates that reside with the vertex component information for polygonal and subdivision surface meshes.
UV mapping is the process of projecting a 2D image to a 3D model’s surface for texturing. In other words, an artist takes a 3D model, unfolds it, and creates a 2D image which makes it convenient to paint textures upon.
Unwrapped Chair Model
UV unwrapping is done before you apply an image texture to a model by feeding the software with position, rotation, and scale of a texture. The UV mapping can be generated manually or automatically depending on the complexity of a model as well as the skills of the artist.
Application of 3D Models
Once we have the foundation( i.e., the 3d model of the chair) ready, we can use it in a variety of applications. This includes, but is not limited to, product rendering and architectural visualization. 3D models are prerequisites for interactive digital catalogues and inventories, digital stores and simulations for training and workforce assessment.
Textured Chair Model
In conclusion, the 3D modeling software such as 3ds Max, Maya, Sketchup, etc that we use to create these digital assets are merely tools at the end of the day. How an artist utilizes a tool depends on his/her creative style and technical competence. Pretty much similar to how one could assign two artists the same project, but their work would reflect their individual interpretations of the brief given.
Just as art, independent of the medium, is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires. Similarly, one can learn all the tools and techniques, but ultimately it is one’s instinct and sensibility that drives their work in the world of 3d art.
At Xarpie Labs, we take our 3D art very seriously. Read more about our 3D Furniture Modeling Services
References:AR and VR experiences with photorealistic 3D
Content Creation for a 3D Game with Maya and Unity 3D
Creative 3D Form-Making in Visual Art and Visual Design for Science