Here you will find a break down of all of the free videos that have been featured here on the site. The archive is broken down into the six levels of learning that can be found in the Foundations video series as well as the plug-in reviews and rendering series.
Level 1: Preflight
If you’re new to 3D modeling, this series of videos is for you. It will get you off the ground and on your way to understanding the core essentials of the software we will be using in this video series. I recommend that you take some time and watch these first eight videos to get acquainted with the basic ideas and tools of 3D modeling.
Preflight 2 : Navigation of Interface
Preflight 3 : Navigation of 3D Space
Preflight 5 : Viewport Windows
Preflight 6 : Construction Planes
Preflight 7 : Object Selection
Preflight 8 : Object Transposition
Level 2: Objects
At the core of modeling are the objects you create. This set of videos will not only show you how to start building out your next great model, but why and how to think about going through the process of planning your model, breaking the form down into easy to model parts and the basics of creating from scratch.
Level 3: Modifiers
After creating objects, the next logical thing to do is to modify them. Modification in this sense can refer to changing the objects relationship to one another, the way things look, or just changing the form of the object itself.
Object Manipulation: Taper | Shear
Object Manipulation: Bend | Twist
Level 4: Surfacing
Once you’ve got a hold on the idea of not only creating basic objects, but then manipulating them to create basic objects, it’s time to take it to the next level. The surfacing category covers most of the main topics involved in creating surfaces, manipulating them, and then using them in conjunction with your object. If you want to learn more about surfacing in depth, I highly recommend checking out the premium video “Surfacing” in the store.
Network Surfaces: A Closer Look
Level 5: I/O
So you’ve made your awesome model. Now what? Perhaps you want to export curves to Photoshop or Illustrator. Perhaps you want to take your model to another program to sculpt in detail like Z-Brush. Perhaps you have underlays that you need to bring into your model space to use as a framework for additional components. This set of videos will get you there.
Level 6 – Meta
Now that we’ve got all the tangible information out of the way, let’s take a tangential look at some of the more abstract ideas and concepts about modeling. From taking dimensions off of your model to understanding the importance of archiving your models with a digital sketchbook. These videos over a little more of an approach philosophy than the other videos on the site.
Rendering:
Over the last couple years, I’ve had tons of requests to do some rendering videos. While I felt this wasn’t really in the spirit of PolyPlane, I did think there was some merit considering, there are more of you than there are of me…so 🙂 Below is a series of videos that will get you up on your feet understanding the basics of rendering.
Intro to Rendering Pt. 1 – Elements of Rendering
Intro to Rendering Pt. 2 – Environment
Intro to Rendering Pt. 3 – Lights
Intro to Rendering Pt. 4 – Objects
Intro to Rendering Pt. 5 – Materials
Intro to Rendering Pt. 6 – Camera
Intro to Rendering Pt. 7 – Setting Up
Intro to Rendering Pt. 8 – Bringing it All Together
Plug-In Reviews:
The great thing about software like Rhinoceros 3D, is that it has a great support network behind it in the community. Every once in a while, I take some time out and review some of the plug-ins that people have written to expand the functionality of Rhino by way of really cool tools.
Store Items:
This is the heart and soul of PolyPlane.com. These videos and video bundles offer a deep dive into a particular topic. Everything from taking a loose sketch and turning it into a model to printing a model with a 3D printer. These videos are the reason I built this site. They help people learn. FAST. If you like what I do here and love PolyPlane.com, this is where you, as the viewer, can help this site and keep it as ad free as possible.