Subdivision Modelling

This method of manipulating forms is used in software such as Rhino, Modo, Blender, ZBrush, Fusion 360, NX Shape Studio, 3DStudio, Maya and Solidworks Power Surfacing plugin. These companies span and merge from freeform NURBs based modellers to digital sculpting tools

Fusion 360 Student download

Freestyle tool

Model tab > Surfaces > Freestyle

The benefit here is that it is integrated into the parametric model and can be edited and manipulated by other features.

Remember this is a surface feature you are creating so you will have to move to solid through thicken or solidify or use the surface to cut existing solids, again through solidify.

See also Surface Edit in the Style feature for subdivision modification of existing surfaces.

Creases, particularly fading creases, are major limitation I’ve found in this modelling process. You may have to do the best you can then chop out the transition area and patch in with surfaces.

Having a background sketch will guide your manipulations – see Geom from 2D Graphics

General Interaction

Drag box to select multiple faces/vertices

Loop selection – select edge > hold Shift > reselect edge

Use the bottom right selection filter for specific entities, say you wanted to box select but only wanted faces not vertices.

Try dividing edges rather than faces

Notice the difference when you Extrude a face and then drag that face – adding more detail means that only that ‘end’ of the model is effected

Consider symmetry before your move the primitive as you will need a symmetry plane

Pick a face > Alt + Drag to extrude the face

MMB to repeat previous step

RMB for quick access controls