Hard Surface Modeling vs CAD modeling

💥THE BLENDER SUMMER SALE IS HERE! SAVE UP TO 25%💥

Becoming a great 3D modeler comes with its challenges, and you'll eventually find yourself wondering about "the right way to do things." Trust me, I've been there, and the community often debates design theory and shapes. One of the biggest questions is: Which modeling technique is best for hard surfaces—polygonal or CAD? In today's video, I'll dive into both styles to find out which one truly stands out.

CHECK OUT THESE AMAZING BLENDER ADDONS ►

MODELING►

VEGETATION ►

MATERIALS & TEXTURING ►

Terrain Generation►

ArchViz & Rendering►

SIMULATIONS & DYNAMICS ►

CLOTH SIMULATION ►

RIGGING & ANIMATION ►

UV UNWRAPPING ►

Clouds & Atmosphere►:
Physical celestial Objects

Productivity►:
Clean Panels

Asset Libraries:

SCULPTING ►

RETOPOLOGY ►

SCRIPTING ►

►►► Blender Courses ►►►
Cinematic lighting in Blender

Toanimate: Blender Animation Course

PostPro
Photogrammetry Course

Human: Create realistic Characters

Alive: Ultimate Character animation Course

The Art of Affective Rigging

Real-time Motion Graphics

Best Blender Course Creators:

DISCLAIMER ► Some links here are affiliate links that help us create more content. Thanks in advance for using our links

[TheMcBobbles]

I am a solidworks guy trying to learn polygonal molding using C4D. I found this really helpful.

[dsolidmodel]

Since I use both Hard Surface Modeling and CAD modeling techniques, I can say that I completely agree with your presentation.

I also find it difficult to determine which method is better. When I think and work like an engineer, CAD modeling is the only way to get the job done without any issues. However, when I approach a project from an artist's perspective, polygonal modeling is superior and more flexible because I don't have to worry about millimeter-level details.

In any case, I recommend that everyone try both methods to fully appreciate their strengths.

[dantab]

Nice explanations, except it was forgotten mentioning sdf modeling techniques which are rarely mentioned. These allows both cad and soft objects to be modeled. And these software are very promising because they are much more tolerant to boolean operations, on the contrary polygonal boolean leads to abnormal geometry often with trouble in calculating the normals, and CAD simply doesnt allow the boolean in certain conditions, particularly when dimensions are changed in the modeling history leading to impossible shapes (considered as by the CAD kernel used some more tolerant than others)

[erikvigano]

I'm half engineer, half architect, should I split my mind?

[leonaraya]

Oh my god. The Jesus Christ I made is in your video. 😱
I feel honored! 👍🏻😄😄

[olivierskiro]

3:13 what was that guy even trying to do? it has nothing with the given example. You seem very knowledgeable about the field but sometimes the footages don't go along with the voice, which lowers the viewing experience in my opinion

[light]

Cad is like a high polygon! because it's easier to fall in trap details because of its ease of use, if you need to 3d Print, cad is the way to go, and when you convert it to polygon, it will be harder to retopology the more details the object have! Cad is flat lack texture! so it's converted to low poly so it can be used to game assets and be colored and textured!

[homienum]

hard surface sculpting op since you can than retopologize in maya its good for endless creativity while hard surface modelling is good when a concept artist has already made the 2d art