3D Modeling of Objects!

3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of
any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living) via specialized software. The
product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a
process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena.
The model can also be physically created using 3D Printing devices.

Models may be created automatically or manually. The manual modeling process of
preparing geometric data for 3D computer graphics is similar to plastic arts such as
sculpting.

3D models represent a 3D object using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by
various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. Being a
collection of data (points and other information), 3D models can be created by hand,
algorithmically (procedural modeling), or scanned.

3D models are widely used anywhere in 3D graphics. Actually, their use predates the
widespread use of 3D graphics on personal computers. Many computer games used
pre-rendered images of 3D models as sprites before computers could render them in
real-time.

Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields. The medical industry uses
detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them as characters and objects for
animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them as assets
for computer and video games. The science sector uses them as highly detailed models
of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to demonstrate proposed
buildings and landscapes through Software Architectural Models. The engineering
community uses them as designs of new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a
host of other uses. In recent decades the earth science community has started to
construct 3D geological models as a standard practice.

Representation

Almost all 3D models can be divided into two categories.

Solid - These models define the volume of the object they represent (like a rock).
These are more realistic, but more difficult to build. Solid models are mostly used for
non-visual simulations such as medical and engineering simulations, for CAD and
specialized visual applications such as ray tracing and constructive solid geometry.
Shell/boundary - these models represent the surface, e.g. the boundary of the object,
not its volume (like an infinitesimally thin eggshell). These are easier to work with than
solid models. Almost all visual models used in games and film are shell models.

Modeling processes

There are four popular ways to represent a model:

   1. Polygonal modeling - Points in 3D space, called vertices, are connected by
      line segments to form a polygonal mesh. Used for example by 3DS Max. The
      vast majority of 3D models today are built as textured polygonal models, because
      they are flexible and because computers can render them so quickly. However,
      polygons are planar and can only approximate curved surfaces using many
      polygons.
   2. NURBS modeling - NURBS Surfaces are defined by spline curves, which are
      influenced by weighted control points. The curve follows (but does not
      necessarily interpolate) the points. Increasing the weight for a point will pull the
      curve closer to that point. NURBS are truly smooth surfaces, not approximations
      using small flat surfaces, and so are particularly suitable for organic modeling.
      Maya and Rhino 3d are the most well-known commercial software that uses
      NURBS natively.
   3. Splines & Patches modeling - Like NURBS, Splines and Patches depend on
      curved lines to define the visible surface. Patches fall somewhere between
      NURBS and polygons in terms of flexibility and ease of use.
   4. Primitives modeling - This procedure takes geometric primitives like balls,
      cylinders, cones or cubes as building blocks for more complex models. Benefits
      are quick and easy construction and that the forms are mathematically defined
      and thus absolutely precise, also the definition language can be much simpler.
      Primitives modeling is well suited for technical applications and less for organic
      shapes. Some 3D software can directly render from primitives (like POV-Ray),
      others use primitives only for modeling and convert them to meshes for further
      operations and rendering

3 d modeling of objects

  • 1.
    3D Modeling ofObjects! 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living) via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D Printing devices. Models may be created automatically or manually. The manual modeling process of preparing geometric data for 3D computer graphics is similar to plastic arts such as sculpting. 3D models represent a 3D object using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. Being a collection of data (points and other information), 3D models can be created by hand, algorithmically (procedural modeling), or scanned. 3D models are widely used anywhere in 3D graphics. Actually, their use predates the widespread use of 3D graphics on personal computers. Many computer games used pre-rendered images of 3D models as sprites before computers could render them in real-time. Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields. The medical industry uses detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them as characters and objects for animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them as assets for computer and video games. The science sector uses them as highly detailed models of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to demonstrate proposed buildings and landscapes through Software Architectural Models. The engineering community uses them as designs of new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a host of other uses. In recent decades the earth science community has started to construct 3D geological models as a standard practice. Representation Almost all 3D models can be divided into two categories. Solid - These models define the volume of the object they represent (like a rock). These are more realistic, but more difficult to build. Solid models are mostly used for non-visual simulations such as medical and engineering simulations, for CAD and specialized visual applications such as ray tracing and constructive solid geometry.
  • 2.
    Shell/boundary - thesemodels represent the surface, e.g. the boundary of the object, not its volume (like an infinitesimally thin eggshell). These are easier to work with than solid models. Almost all visual models used in games and film are shell models. Modeling processes There are four popular ways to represent a model: 1. Polygonal modeling - Points in 3D space, called vertices, are connected by line segments to form a polygonal mesh. Used for example by 3DS Max. The vast majority of 3D models today are built as textured polygonal models, because they are flexible and because computers can render them so quickly. However, polygons are planar and can only approximate curved surfaces using many polygons. 2. NURBS modeling - NURBS Surfaces are defined by spline curves, which are influenced by weighted control points. The curve follows (but does not necessarily interpolate) the points. Increasing the weight for a point will pull the curve closer to that point. NURBS are truly smooth surfaces, not approximations using small flat surfaces, and so are particularly suitable for organic modeling. Maya and Rhino 3d are the most well-known commercial software that uses NURBS natively. 3. Splines & Patches modeling - Like NURBS, Splines and Patches depend on curved lines to define the visible surface. Patches fall somewhere between NURBS and polygons in terms of flexibility and ease of use. 4. Primitives modeling - This procedure takes geometric primitives like balls, cylinders, cones or cubes as building blocks for more complex models. Benefits are quick and easy construction and that the forms are mathematically defined and thus absolutely precise, also the definition language can be much simpler. Primitives modeling is well suited for technical applications and less for organic shapes. Some 3D software can directly render from primitives (like POV-Ray), others use primitives only for modeling and convert them to meshes for further operations and rendering