We've seen this scenario play out all too often. There are lots of props out there, but what if the concept you have in mind calls for a specific prop in a specific style that you can't seem to find?

You think to yourself Hexagon is free, and if it's good enough for artists like DZFire, Protozon and FirstBastion, maybe I should take a look? You find some YouTube videos on how to use Hexagon and the basics of modeling a 3D object and you're ready to start. But halfway through your project, you realize that you've modeled yourself into a corner and don't know how to escape!

In this tutorial set we'll go over a strategic approach to modeling from conception to creating a usable prop.

We'll walk through planning your modeling project from setting up reference images, to dividing the mesh into segments, to surface planning and then UV mapping.

We'll identify common areas where new modelers make mistakes and how to resolve them.

We'll also go over importing your object into DAZ Studio, parenting the prop (a sword) to your figure's hand.

Total running time of tutorial : 4 hours and 18 minutes

You'll Learn

• Strategic modeling : tips to make a smoother workflow
• The difference between a personal use model and a commercial one when it comes to planning and modeling
• Finding, preparing, and setting up reference images in Hexagon
  • Our example be an old Celtic design using a crude anthropomorphic handle
• Identifying the pieces of a model and considerations for how to divide the mesh
• Where to add mesh density and where to keep it simple
• Using Hexagon's modeling tools like Bend and l Clone to make modeling faster and easier
• Using Hexagon's troubleshooting tools to find bad geometry such as:
  • N-gons (faces with more than 4 vertices)
  • Non-planar vertices
  • Non-manifold mesh
  • Flipped normals
• Defining surfaces and material zones
• Dealing with the hilt : ways of capping a cylinder
• Should you UV Map inside Hexagon? A recommended tool for UV mapping
• Importing your creation into Studio
• Refining the model in DAZ Studio to make it more usable
• Parenting the sword to a figure's hand

About the Presenter : Karl Knarr

Whilst Karl's formal training is in computer programming, he has been learning and sharing tutorials on DAZ Studio since 2014. You can read more about Karl's digital artist journey and his tutorials at https://karl3d.wordpress.com/

As I've gotten back into modeling some of my own 3D content, I realized how it has given me more freedom of expression. A lot of my renders lately are of the roleplaying characters for my girlfriend and I to create snapshots of stories we're co-writing. We tend to have very specific ideas about the look of our characters and the things they might own; so being able to create things myself has allowed me to reach my goals for my images without having to be limited by the content that others have created."

About Digital Art Live

We've been connecting, educating and inspiring digital artists in our weekly live webinars since 2013. Look out for our community live workshops at the Digital Art Live website and our tutorial products in the Daz 3D store.