Have you ever been curious about how the objects we see in video games, movies or even on display in stores are created? In the last two decades, 3D modeling has become an integral element of visual production, being used to create stunning visuals in countless fields. With every advancement in technology and software capabilities, 3D modeling tools have become more accessible than ever before.
Therefore if you want to start learning 3D modeling today then look no further. In this article, we will provide an introductory overview of the concepts behind 3D modeling and discuss its foundations along with how it has influenced industry standards for design and animation.
Benefits of Using 3D Models for Games
Using 3D modeling for games is now a reality and the practice provides ample benefits. With realistic graphics and detailed visuals, developers can use 3D models to create richer gaming worlds than ever before. Here are some of the many advantages that come from using 3D models for games:
- Higher Visual Quality
The number one benefit of using 3D models for game development is a major improvement in visual quality compared to traditionally 2D based games. With detailed textures and realistic elements, 3D modeled characters look far more lifelike than their 2d counterparts. This added level of detail helps enhance the user experience as players feel entirely immersed in the game’s visuals.
- Faster Production Times
On top of the visual quality boost, using 3D models for game development significantly decreases production time as fewer assets need to be developed from scratch. Instead of manually placing each element, developers can utilize pre-made objects which they can customize with ease while ensuring consistency across multiple levels within a game.
- Easy Year-round Updates
With 3D modeled characters, environments, and items already created, developers are able to update their game on the fly. Instead of reshooting new images or painstakingly creating new imagery during different seasons or holidays, developers have ready made assets which they can easily add with a few clicks. This makes it much simpler to keep content fresh over long periods of time without having to constantly recreate hundreds of assets from scratch every six months or so.
- Lower Cost Production
Overall cost savings also comes into play when utilizing 3D models for game development instead of relying on traditional methods such as photography or illustration techniques due it taking less time and resources to complete projects quicker with a higher caliber product than could be done otherwise
Types of 3D Modeling for Games
3D modeling is an important component of game design and development. Without it, characters, environments, and assets would not exist in the games we play. 3D modeling allows game designers to create realistic elements for their digital worlds by creating 3D shapes and objects that look and move like real life. Here are some of the types of 3D modeling used in game design:
- Polygon Modeling – The most commonly used 3D modeling technique is polygon modeling. This method involves constructing models using polygons, which are flat shapes with three or more sides. These polygons can be manipulated to create organic shapes and objects like humans, animals, vehicles, furniture, etc. Polygon models typically require lots of detail work as they need to look realistic when rendered in a game engine.
- Subdivision Modeling – Subdivision modeling is gaining popularity among game developers due to its ability to create smoother edges on 3D models without sacrificing any detail or geometry accuracy. This type of 3D model creation takes a polygon mesh and divides each face into smaller triangles or quads until the desired smoothness is achieved. Subdivision modeling requires fewer polygons than polygonal models and produces higher-quality results when the model is rendered in a game engine or other 3D application.
- Retopology – Retopology (also known as retopologizing) is the process of taking a high-poly mesh and simplifying it by projecting a new mesh over it that has fewer faces than the original mesh but still captures all of its details accurately. Retopology provides an efficient workflow for reducing the amount of polygons required to achieve high-fidelity models without sacrificing any smoothness or quality in their appearance. This type of model creation is especially useful for character customization where complex clothing pieces need to be created quickly using a small number of polygons while still maintaining accurate geometries.
