Blender Secrets - Easy hard surface details using Floaters

“Floaters” are small details that are placed on top of a 3D object, in such a way that it seems like they are connected to that object. They can create the illusion of depth in the object they are placed on, without having to do any boolean operations or anything like that.

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Written by / voice: Jan van den Hemel
Video edited by: Tushar Ganesh

[Clyman]

This is crazy helpful, it also works wonders with decals, especially when in Cycles where everything has a reflection and ambient occlusion.

[RomboutVersluijs]

Kinda baffled it's actually pretty far off from the mesh, bizarre this looks good.

[fullyleaded]

THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN LOOKING THANK YOU!!!!

[GinoZump]

"Easy hard surface" I love oxymorons 😄

[gustavoalvarez]

Hola una vez más disfruto de tus conocimientos compartidos pasarías horas viendo tus videos, muchas gracias. Saludos desde Argentina

[abdullamasud]

though why when I try to do it, the floating object seem to be changing position on the cube surface?

[CherylynnLima]

when i try it the floater sticks straight to the mesh instead of hovering above it, why?

[grahamthomas]

This is so freaking 😎 cool!! Can it do holes as well? Can you bake holes in a normal map?

[fankerry]

With HDRi map lighting only, I made a point light source that showed the boundary

[RomboutVersluijs]

Wonder why, even when placed a bit above the mesh, we don't see it casting a shadow?

[commandojoe]

Would the effect not fall apart when viewed close up at a very shallow angle?

[BestMods]

Does this take effect on export or is it just a render trick?

[wanderinglord]

Same with Maya + Substance. Better workflow than making a graph I guess.

[diarrealord]

mom, can i buy decal machine?
no, we had decal machine at home
decal machine at home:

[corvette]

Rivets, my airplane got`s rivets, thy

[Heykkamo]

is there anyone who can tell me how to extrude from circle line?😅

[onjofilms]

Looks like Machin3's secrets are slowly being revealed.

[Arthr]

The floater is seen if it is seen through side view ☹️

[Dina_tankar_mina_ord]

You just put kitops an decalmacine out of buissenes lol