Tutorial introduction

First of all, thank you all for using the Smoothie-3D modelling solution. After reading this tutorial, and if you carefully follow the explanation, you will be able to make 3D textured models like the squirrel and publish them on the web. No more than 10-15 minutes will be needed to complete this tutorial.


Creating shapes



A 3D model is made of several shapes. Smoothie-3D offers classic primitives like cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones and text. To create such shapes, just click on the related item as shown in this video:




More interesting shapes can be made with strokes. A smooth shape is made like this:




Extrusion is considered as an 'elevation' from a drawn basis, as in this video:




Also, a shape can be made out of a revolution around the vertical axis like this:


Moving and zooming



Changing the viewpoint or moving the camera around the model is a key action which needs to be done regularly to ensure the 3D model you are creating is correct. You can move the camera in two ways: The first one is managed in the top left area. Just click and drag the mouse around (either in rotation or translation mode) to change the point of view.




The second camera control is located at the top right where you can use pre-defined views. The button at the center moves the view point to the currently selected shape you are editing.


Zooming can be performed either by double-click or with your mouse wheel which is much convenient.


Adding image



Adding a texture or a photo to guide your modelling activity is an interesting feature. Just do what's shown on the video and select an image from your local drive.


Setting objects position and scale



In this video you can see all the ways to set and edit the geometry of shapes you create (translation, rotation, scale).



Symmetries



You can easily make symmetrical shape by selecting the plane/axis you wish to use for reflection (x or y or z). z is often the right option.


Updating contour



Drawing a stroke is often not precise enough so it is possible to update the contour point by point. Please carefully watch this video to see how this is done. Once your modification is complete, you have to validate the new contour (this only applies to smooth shapes).


A nice feature allows you to use Beziers curves but this is out of the scope of this tutorial.


Complete Squirrel example



You now know enough to make a squirrel! First add the image of the squirrel to your project (get it there if you don’t have it). Draw all the smooth shapes that will be needed: Next, adapt the contours of badly drawn shapes - doing so helps avoid texture artefacts due to the lack of precision.




Individually select the arm, the leg, the foot and the ear and select z symmetry for each shape.




Now, change the point of view and translate the following shapes on the z axis: the arm, the leg, the foot and the ear. Adapt the z scale of every shape. Check all the z translations to ensure every shape looks good.




As you may have noticed, the overall feeling of our model is very straight and upright. To avoid this look, we're going to use the 'swivel' feature to add some variations. Select the arm and move the 'sw x' cursor until it looks ok. Adapt the z translation if needed, then do the same with the ear, the lower arm, the foot.


You're done!


Exporting on the web



Time has come to show your creation to your friends. You can 3D print-it and faster, upload it on Sketchfab.com (you need to create an account and to get your token-API code in your profile settings). Once uploaded, your model will be available through an URL you can send to your friends or add it on your facebook.




You can also upload the 3D model to 3D-printing websites like Shapeways.com.





End of this tutorial

Congratulation for completing this tutorial. We hope you will enjoy using with Smoothie-3D!
You can see more examples here




More videos












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