Modeling Concepts
To get a foothold in modeling, you will need to understand a number of things. If you are
not new to CG or are desperate to get started, feel free to skip ahead and start modeling.
However, you still might want to peruse this section for some concepts and terms that
may make things easier for you in the coming exercises.
Polygons
A polygon is a surface created by connecting three or more points in 3D space. This flat
surface connects to other polygons to form more intricate surfaces. In Figure 4.2, you see a
sphere. The facets of the sphere are polygons, all connected at common edges at the correct
angles and in the proper arrangement to make a sphere.
The points that generate a polygon are called vertices. The lines that connect the points
are called edges. If the polygon has three vertices, its surface is called a face. Polygons are
made up of triangular faces by design. In the example of
the sphere in Figure 4.2, the polygon??™s facets all have
four vertices.
The graphic shows the same sphere with one face
selected. See how the face is half of the polygon, using
three of its vertices.
Figure 4.1
The level of detail in
a model depends on
how much of the
model is seen.
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