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What is SubD Modeling?SubD Modeling is the computer technique where simple, rectangular shapes are smoothed for display and further editing. The rectangular shapes are subdivided and approximated by smooth surfaces.
SubD Modeling is the next big thing in 3D modeling and works very well for modeling 3D printed objects. Bye bye curves, hello polygons! Smoothing a curve in 2DConsider a Polyline versus a Spline in 2D. If you grasp that concept, you can easily see the consequences of smoothing a 3D mesh.
So how does that work in 3D?
If a solid shape is smoothed, we get something that could look like this:
What are the advantages of SubD ModelingYou no longer need to define a shape using curves, surfaces and stitching the surfaces into a solid. You simply work with the rectangular shapes and push, pull, copy these around. The software will automatically smooth the shape for you.
This leads to a freedom of form that is unreachable using traditional CAD modeling techniques. That is why SubD Modeling is great for preparing 3D printed models: a 3D printer prints any shape you want!
What are the disadvantages of SubD ModelingYou tend to have less control over the shape. Where in traditional CAD you could put curves exactly where you want edges to be, using SubD Modeling you need to move polygon edges around and see what the smoothed out shapes look like.Also, it might be more difficult to get from a smooth surfaced model to a solid shape that can be further edited in traditional CAD. SharkCAD Pro is able to convert a SubD model into a NURB Solid model, Modo offers the Power SubD-NURBS plugin to accomplish this. Movie overviewThis 4 minute movie is well explained and a great way to learn about SubD Modeling.
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