This document discusses edgeloop modeling techniques for 3D character modeling. Some key points: - Edgeloop modeling uses loops of connected edges to define features and allows for natural deformation during animation without gaps. - Rules for edgeloop modeling include using quads, complete loops without terminations, placing loops along creases, adding loops in deformation areas, and avoiding long thin polygons. - Techniques include duplicating, removing, extruding, and splitting loops to build the character and add details. The workflow involves designing, adding major body parts from the torso out, then details and clothing.

1. Kelly L.Murdock and Eric M.Allen
Edgeloop Character Modeling For 3D Professionals Only,2006,Wiley Publishing,Inc.
Disediakan oleh:
Noorazzahrawani Binti Abdul Rani (Mei 2013)
Edgeloop Modeling Concept

2. Edgeloop Modeling
“ For characters that are used extensively for animation
sequnces, I prefer the edgeloop modeling method, which
produces meshes that deform naturally without binding and
gapping.”
- Non-planar polygons cause of crashing rendering and game
engines. Triangulated non-planar polygons, but today isn’t
necessary.

3. Edgeloop Modeling
An edgeloop is a row of connected edges lined end to
end that define a specific feature. This row of edges
typically forms a loop, but it doesn’t have to.
..those around localized feature
such as the eyes or mouth; circling
the top of the head, encircling the
eyes and nose.

4. The Benefits
a. Natural modeling construct
- select edgeloops to move into the new
position.
- isolate and define the major body features,
which makes modeling and animation easy.
b. Easy-to-add details
- Examples: wrinkles to a mesh by scaling
edgeloop, small finger added around knuckle.

5. The Benefits
c. Maximum deformation
- to define features, details and to break up areas
of heavy deformation, such as knees and elbows.
- eliminate many
problems during
animation.

6. The Benefits
d. Made for animating
- can hold up under extreme poses.
e. Minimal polygons
- take up less memory.
- easier to manipulate
- character created with
edgeloops are smoother
and cleaner with fewer
polygons.

7. Rules
a. Use quads
- 4 vertices connected by 4 edges. Example: Muscles don’t
have zigzag pattern.
b. Complete edgeloops
- provide the maximum amount of flexibility as a model is
moved. If not, that places can become gaps and distortions can
appear.

8. Complete edgeloops

9. Rules
c. Avoid edgeloop terminations
- Surrounding an edgeloop termination are several poles. A
pole is a vertex with more or fewer than four edges
extending
from it.
- Poles can cause the shading to be abnormal, and this
abnormal shading only gets worse when the object is
deformed.

10. Rules
d. Edgeloops run along crease lines
- natural crease lines such as the smile lines that run from the
base of the nose to the corners of the mouth deform
properly when the edgeloops run parallel to them.
e. Position weak deformation areas
- under the arms, in the crotch area, on the inner legs, or
along the back.

12. Rules
f. Enclose areas of maximum deformations
- increase the number of edgeloops around areas where the
model will pinch and deform quite a bit. Example: knees,
shoulder, thighs and elbow.
- add concentric edgeloop rings that circle the problem
area.

13. Rules
g. Define the form outline
- start with edgeloops that define the outline of model.
- then move to the edgeloops that define the individual
body parts, such as eyes, breasts and shoulders.

14. Rules
h. Three edges define a curve
- only two are needed to define a
hard edge.
i. Avoiding long thin quads
- can show artifacts when rendered
and can cause serious problems
when deformed during animation
process.
j. Final rule: IGNORE THESE RULES

15. Techniques
a. Duplicating edgeloops
b. Removing triangles
c. Extruding a circular edgeloop
d. Cutting in a circular edgeloop
e. Splitting a single edgeloop into two
Duplicating edgeloops

16. Splitting a single edgeloop into two
Removing triangles

17. Cutting in a circular edgeloop and Splitting a single
edgeloop into two

18. Cutting in a circular edgeloop

19. Workflow
a. Designing first
b. Loading and texturing model templates
c. Starting with the torso
d. Adding arms and legs
e. Adding hands and feet
f. Iterate, iterate, iterate
g. Adding a head
h. Adding face details
i. Adding clothes
j. Adding hair
k. Rigging and skinning
l. Testing the skeleton

20. Exercise
In this exercise, you can start modeling using box. Box suggested height is 3
segments, width is 3 segments and length is 3 segments. Convert the box into
editablePoly object. Apply modifier Symmetry to have other half of the box is being
affected when you model the other half.
Then you can proceed by extruding hand, leg and head using Extrude, Cut,
Connect and Weld tools. As you model the human body (by extruding, cutting,
connecting and welding), making sure all horizontal and vertical edges are
straight. Add more edgeloops around maximum deformation area of the body or
to get details of the body parts.
* For head, you can model it as a separated part then attach it to the body or extrude from the body.
After that, you can apply modifier turbosmooth to see the human body mesh
become smooth to get the best form of human body.