Modeling: Metal Panel Things?

[EricChadwick]

You might try detaching a panel, but as an element not as an object. Then extrude, then turn on meshsmooth or editable poly subdivisions. Can make a nice rounded inset. But I'm sure someone else will chime in with a better idea...

[Signal2Noise]

Extrude & Bevel.

[Dave Black]

Check here about midway down the page. I've got an animated gif to show how to do this. Sorta along the lines the other guys have already stated.

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40373&perpage=15&pagenumber=30

Oh, and while you're there, read the whole thread. It'l take all day, but you'l learn a ton.

Best of luck!

-3DZ

:D

[Xilo]

Wow, that helped a lot thanks. Last thing, how can i get like sharp edges and corners but still have the faces smoothed? I've tried using crease in meshsmooth but it looks like crap.

[Dave Black]

Well, the thread goes into that alot. It's rather complex.

Basically, you need to increase the edge tension around the area you want hardened. A simple and messy way is to simply chamfer the edge. This will casue problems and I advise to read about all this further. Especially if you are trying to model that thing. :D

You can also experiment with smoothing groups and the "smooth by smoothing groups" toggle within meshsmooth. It's kinda bad form, but it will get you by in a pinch.

Again, though, I'd really advise reading through that thread.

-3DZ

:D

[Aldaryn]

I often use the following technique:

I assign the "sharp edge separated" parts of the mesh into different smoothing groups.
Then I select the edges along the transition of the smoothing areas... And leave it selected in the stack...
After applying the subdiv (or meshsmooth), turn on the "smoothing Groups" checkbox, so the algorithm will not blend the different smoothing groups into each other, but still subdivides the polygons.
Now an edit mesh mod. I select the edge level (The previously selected ones are now subdivided selected) and I add few levels of light chamfer, to avoid sharp edges, which are not typical of metal plates....


Good luck!

[Aldaryn]

A simple and messy way is to simply chamfer the edge.
Yep, it is, but some cahmfering in the last stage of modelling can be really useful... It keeps the poly count a bit low, but don't apply meshsmooth after cahmfering, multiple camfer connections can cause artifacts, and even folds around non circle like holes...

(However, I've found, that some refinement, and vertex welding an solve this problem, but this is way too much work...)

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