Edge versus Box modeling?

[lafnjack]

Is there a benefit for one way versus another? Is one considered faster than another in a certain context?

I've played with both and both seem to take me about equally long (although I haven't timed it). I'm curious if there's any general agreement on the pro/con level between the two methods.

Thanks much!
John

PS: The more I play with Hexagon, the more I love it. What an amazingly intuitive tool! Good job again to the designers!

[Patrick210]

I think it is a combination of personal preference and the type of shape you are trying to achieve. I tend to just go with intuition.

[jbshorty]

both have speed advantages, depending on what you're modeling. If you need to block out a volume quickly (and the topology is not compicated) then box modeling is very fast. But if the topology is complicated, then it can be faster to edge model it so you don't have to go back and rework the edges too much. I often use a combination of both techniques to develop a mesh...

[Thomas]

I think it depends of the creator. Most of the time, edge modelers are not good with boxmodeling and vice versa.
The boxmodeling is verygood for beginners in my opinion, because you start with a basic shape which helps you imagine your final shape, where edge modeling asks you to see by advance your final shape.

I prefer the edge modeling technic, because I can control the edge flow a lot better than using the boxmodeling, but at the end, when you have a good shape in both technics, you finish by using the same tools (cut / slice / bridge / connects, and others...)

[mon_stdnt]

I personally use poly-poly modelling for characters and cars and box modelling for other stuff, like shoes or camera, cause their solid objects.

It all depends on which one you use the most and how comfortable you are using that method.

[lafnjack]

Thanks very much gentlemen! I appreciate the pointers.

Special thanks to Thomas for making such a great tutorial in the Hexagon PDF on box modeling the dinosaur, as well as the great Nierd avi's!

Thanks!
John

[Thomas]

You're welcome. More to come later, but with another software.
You can also take a look in the french Hexagon tutorial section of the basis of the edge modeling tutorial related to Georgette (the Carrara 5 cover girl)

[lafnjack]

Thanks Thomas! I found the Georgette edge modeling tutorial!

I'll throw it into babelfish tonight, but the animated gifs you have on there are VERY clear, despite my lack of linguistic dexterity.

John

[Couerl]

I don't have much to add that hasn't been said, but I think that Georgette could not have been made easily or nearly as good by box modeling and edge modeling to me in the end gives you a cleaner organic model. It's harder because you have to look further ahead and you must be aware of how and why you end up with 3's, quads, 5's, 6's and visualize how best to repair problems along the way. This can be a lot of work even after you've been doing it for awhile, but the payoffs are greater in the end I think.

[Thomas]

Edge modeling forever

[Couerl]

Yes, its good and I think more people would do it if they had some easier starting points. I think people try to do human figures straight away and get frustrated because they lack the technique and control of the program first and they go back to what is familiar to them, primitive modeling. It can be a big challenge just to make a good hand or ear or face nevermind something as simple as a realistic apple for someone new.

[Grendel]

I use edge/loop modeling as well for everything. I just never got the hang of box modeling even after alot of videos showing some great box technique. I think whatever your comfortable with should be what you use, try both but if you want to try edge first study other meshes to understand the flow first or you can end up with a mess.

[lafnjack]

I've played with both now (especially the last couple of days), and find edge extrusion and edge looping to give me a better looking, cleaner model, than box modeling. But I've heard so many people lately sing praises about box modeling, I was wondering if I was missing something. But with box modeling, my mesh becomes alot denser and doesn't seem to show the detail I like. I think I'll stick with edge. Thanks guys! VERY much appreciated.

I'm not saying it can't be done with box modeling, but with my existing workflow, I seem to have to go back later and clean the mesh up more, whereas I have more control during edge modeling. I realize its all personal and up to the individual. Edge just seemed to click more with me. Probably because I started with splines way back when...its a closer method to the stitching I'm used to.

John

[laughingnome]

Hi John,
as has been said its all about personal workflow, neither method is any better than the other regarding topology or speed.
like yourself i started with splines and facet / poly by poly creation but i now primarily box model for figures and clothing.

ill post some workflow pics regarding boxmodeling figures shortly

stu

[lafnjack]

Thanks LaughingGnome!

Edge modeling for me seems pretty intuitive, but I'm always interested in seeing if (with some practice) my workflow improves using another method.

I could very well be using a non-optimal methodology, so comparing/contrasting is something I like to revisit, as I'm learning.

Happy New Year!
John

[laughingnome]

Happy new year John .
its just stu btw
ill post some pics tommorrow

stu