3D Modeling Exercise 1 & 2: Foundations of 3D Modeling

May 19, 2025

3D Modeling Exercise 1 & 2: Foundations of 3D Modeling

Exercise 1

Under the guidance of Professor Tuan Muhammad Luqman Tuan Ibrahim, I recently completed Exercise 1 for my 3D modeling class, where I had to create five everyday objects—a chair, cup, table, trash bin, and lamp—using polygon modeling tools in Autodesk MAYA. As a beginner in 3D modeling, I found the assignment both challenging and exciting. Here’s what I learned and experienced while working on it.

Figuring Out Polygon Modeling

The task was to build all five objects from basic shapes like cubes and cylinders, using tools like extrusion, scaling, and beveling. At first, MAYA’s interface felt like a maze with endless options, but after some practice, I started to understand how to use the tools. Here’s how I tackled each model:

Chair: I began with a cube for the seat, extruded four legs, and beveled the edges to make them less sharp.

Cup: Starting with a cylinder, I scaled the top to form an opening and extruded the inner surface to add thickness.

Table: I stretched a cube for the tabletop and shaped the legs, focusing on keeping the proportions even.

Trash Bin: I used a cylinder and added a rim at the top to give it a realistic look.

Lamp: This was the toughest one. I combined a cylinder for the base and a sphere for the shade, adjusting them to fit together.

Working on these models showed me how to transform simple shapes into recognizable objects. It was like building digital sculptures, one step at a time.

Keeping Topology and Names in Check

One big requirement was to use clean, quad-based topology and avoid N-gons. I didn’t fully get why this was important until I saw odd shading on my trash bin during rendering. After some tweaking, I learned to add edge loops to smooth out the geometry, which helped a lot with the chair and table.

We also had to follow naming conventions, labeling every object and component clearly, like “Chair_Seat” or “Lamp_Base.” I thought it was tedious at first, but with so many parts in the scene, organized names made it way easier to keep track of everything.

Rendering and Playblast Challenges

For rendering, we needed four views of each model—front, side, top, and isometric—using standard lighting. I used Arnold in MAYA and spent time adjusting lights to make the models clear without weird shadows. Seeing my models look polished in the renders was a highlight.

The playblast part required three Full HD (1920x1080) MP4 videos: wireframe, shaded mesh, and shaded with wireframe overlay. I accidentally exported in AVI format the first time and had to redo it in MP4. Setting up a smooth camera path for the turntables was tricky, but it got easier with practice, and I learned how to use MAYA’s playblast tools better.

Bumps in the Road and Lessons Learned

The assignment had its frustrations. The trash bin’s topology kept causing rendering issues, with dark patches I couldn’t figure out at first. After some trial and error, I used MAYA’s Cleanup tool to fix overlapping faces. Another time, I messed up the cup’s mesh and had to start over. Those moments tested my patience, but they taught me to check my work carefully and solve problems as they came up.

This exercise helped me see 3D modeling as a process of small, deliberate steps. It’s not magic—it’s about tweaking and refining until the model matches your vision.

Final Thoughts

Exercise 1 was my first real step into 3D modeling, and I’m glad I got through it. Building five models from scratch and turning them into clean renders and videos felt like a solid accomplishment. I learned how to use MAYA’s tools, keep my work organized, and handle challenges along the way. Thanks to Professor Tuan Muhammad Luqman Tuan Ibrahim’s assignment, I feel more confident about modeling and ready for what’s next in the course.

Exercise 2

This educational task, “Exercise 2: Design Your Own Chess Set,” encourages students to reimagine the six standard chess pieces—King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, and Pawn—through 3D modeling. Students must analyze their form and symbolism, selecting a unique theme (e.g., fantasy, steampunk, minimalism) and ensuring visual consistency across the set.