The Theory and Application of 3D Modelling

3D modelling, also known as 3D computer graphics, is the creation of mathematical representation of a three-dimensional object (graphical art) that is created through specialized 3D software on the computer such as Autodesk Maya. Software that was once only available to professionals are now available for home and school use. These 3D programs shapes such as squares and triangles to create polygons which are then used to create and form anything the creator wishes to produce. In recent years, these programs have been used in video games, films and in architectural design with all being used for many different reasons.

The difference between 3D modelling in films, games and architecture is the poly count limit. In video games for instance, the poly count must stay at a minimum for the characters, utilities and environment to allow the user to run the game smoothly. This is because they are limited by the power of the game engine and platform the game is being run on.

Video games render as the user plays through it, so keeping the poly count to a minimum will ensure that the game will run smoothly and the frame rate will stay consistent throughout. In order for a game to keep a high level of detail throughout without making the poly count to extreme, the game is created so that anything that needs a higher level of detail will be done close up to the use when playing the game, and anything that is off in the distance of a game will have a very low poly count and little detail. Sometimes images are used for anything that may appear in the distance of a game, so allow for an absolute minimum amount of polygons are used when the game is created.

In most FPS (First Person Shooter) games for instance, things up close like the characters hands or the weapons they carry contain a high level of detail, where as the buildings or mountains in the far off distance are either image planes or contain an extremely low poly count.

The situation is different with films, as they can be pre-rendered, meaning that the level of detail that is put into it is extremely high, also meaning a much higher poly count. The difference however, is that when a user plays a game, is renders as the user makes his/her way through it, whereas a film must all be rendered and completed to produce the film in its final product, however because of the higher poly count and level of detail that is allowed in the creation of a film, this results in a much longer render time.

For example, each frame in Toy Story took up to 39 hours to render on their server farm (Which has hundreds of servers working on it 24/7). There are disadvantages with limitations that films have compared to games. For instance, films may be able to produce a higher level of detail in 3D modelling, but it does result in a longer final render time and with the level of detail that is expected in films now because of the ability to use a limitless poly count, time must have to be managed to ensure that deadlines are met for the final version of the product to be completed.

Similar to films, poly count has no limitations when it comes to 3D architectural modelling, therefore 3D models of architecture are created at extreme levels detail using a very high poly count without a rendering time limit. Because of the flexibility of 3D modelling, architects are using 3D modelling and are able to cut down a considerable amount of time working on the design stage for their projects and focus most of their time on the actual creation of the product. Professionals identify any issues they may have ahead of time by working on the 3D model, thus saving time that would be spent by having to rework their schedules and increase their budgets.

A relatively new use of architectural 3D modelling is used when showcasing the design/layout of a building or house by using 3D printing. The digital 3D model can be be transferred to the printer and slowly 3D printed out using a special type of plastic. Once complete, your digital 3D model will have been converted into a real-life model version that you’ve created on your software.