Three-dimensional (3D) modelling is the go-to method for many production teams, from architecture to game design. 3D models give creators a sense that their projects can become real, something a sketch on paper won’t do. Many artists swear by using 3D modelling programs because they have made the production process easier.
But as with any digital program, there are pitfalls and issues users may encounter. When creating your project, how do you avoid these problems? And if you do experience them, what do you do next?
Here’s a list of the common issues you may face when making 3D models and how to solve them.
- System Crashes
Even with the progression of technology, many apps and programs still tend to crash sometimes. The crash may be due to overuse of the app or computer hardware issues.
3D model artists frequently experience a system crash while working on their projects. An issue like this keeps the user from continuing their project or, worse, saving their progress. Solving this usually requires larger internal memory. If your current hardware lacks storage space, you may need to get an upgrade.
Another way to solve this is to save your work as often as possible manually. Try doing this every 5 to 10 minutes. Or per every significant change you make on your project. You can create backup files, too. Regularly backing up your files should be a habit for any artist.
Once your computer has enough memory space, you’ll also have the option to install 3D modelling assistants like SketchUp Pro extensions. App extensions can make your daily workflow smoother and may lessen the issues you could face while 3D modelling.
- Global Illumination (GI) Flickers
Global illumination (GI) refers to a system that simulates realistic lighting onto your 3D models. This process gives realism to the color bleeding and light bounces you’d see on tangible objects.
Imagine a white ball placed next to a red box to understand this better. The light would bounce off the red box and bleed the red color onto its neighbor in normal circumstances. In this case, it’s the white ball. The white ball would have a slight tint of red around the area nearest the color source.
3D model artists may often encounter GI flickers. These flickers cause parts of the model to be more visible than the rest of the image. You can address this issue by adjusting your program’s render settings. It’ll take a long while to perform this, but you’ll experience GI flickers less once you do it.
- Ignoring Or Misunderstanding Topology
Novice 3D model artists may face this issue often. Due to excitement in creating models, beginners might dive headfirst into their projects and use too many n-gons (polygons with five or more sides) and triangles. The multiple sides of these shapes can cause difficulties when you start animating your models.
Veterans recommend using quads (four-sided polygons) since these elements can be subdivided or triangulated easily. Keep your quads as square as possible and double-check for appearances of n-gons and triangles, which may appear after you use a bevel tool. Vertices mustn’t break the flow of your model’s edges either. And if you see any non-manifold geometry, fix this immediately.
If you take your time creating your 3D models, you’ll have smoother figures. You might eventually make realistic movements like those in this 3D animation montage collaborated on by 100 animators.
- Conversion Errors
3D modelling will require you to convert your projects into other file types for various uses. But often, the conversion to different files or different applications results in unexpected errors.
These errors happen because your 3D models have file values that need to change during conversion. These may get rounded off to smaller or bigger values depending on the situation. 3D models may not convert in any form at all if you’re unlucky.
Unfortunately, there’s still no accurate solution to this problem. However, you can still avoid this error from regularly occurring by upgrading your software and hardware. Work and conversion may become more manageable when using new and updated programs.
- Getting The Wrong Proportions
Every beginner visual artist gets proportions wrong several times early in their career. So, if this happens to you, don’t panic. Whether you do 3D modelling for work or a hobby, a minor issue like this shouldn’t cause unneeded stress. Creating art is believed to reduce stress levels, after all.
Remember the quads mentioned earlier? Using these over triangles serves a purpose. You can adjust quads easier and rework them if you think your model’s proportions seem a little off.
Solving the proportion problem is pretty straightforward. Always keep a reference of your model close to you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a digital copy on your computer or a sketch on your notebook. You’ll develop mastery of modeling when you create your models with a concept you can refer to anytime you need to.
Modelled With Perfection
Visual artists are infamous for their need for perfection. But in a world where perfection doesn’t exist, problems may arise. However, these are relatively minor, and you can solve them with a bit of time and patience.
Art takes time to create, and 3D modelling isn’t any different. Just practice not rushing the process and telling yourself that a system crash won’t destroy your hard work. That is as long as you had already saved it, of course.