Beginner Blender 4.0 Tutorial - Part 2: Basic Modelling

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a basic donut shape in Blender 4.0. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of adding and modifying a torus, applying smooth shading, using modifiers, and editing the mesh to give your donut a more organic and realistic look.

Chapter 1 Adding the Torus

1. Start Fresh

   • Ensure you are working in a completely new scene to avoid any leftover objects.
   • Delete the default Cube by selecting it and pressing the Delete key.

2. Add the Torus

   • Press Shift + A to open the Add menu.
   • Select Mesh and then choose Torus.

3. Adjust Dimensions

   • After adding the torus, look at the bottom left corner for the options box (only visible immediately after adding).
   • Use the following settings for a good starting point:
     • Major segments: 32
     • Minor segments: 12
   • These settings will give your donut a chunky appearance while keeping it manageable.

4. Confirm Changes

   • Click outside the options box to finalize the changes.

Chapter 2 Smooth Shading

1. Activate Smooth Shading
   • Right-click on the torus and select Shade Smooth to make it appear smoother without increasing the poly count.

Chapter 3 Subdivision Modifier

1. Add Subdivision Surface Modifier

   • Go to the Properties panel and click on the wrench icon to access modifiers.
   • Click on Add Modifier and choose Subdivision Surface.

2. Adjust Subdivision Levels

   • Set Levels Viewport to 1 for a balance between performance and appearance.
   • Set Levels Render to a higher value if needed for final renders.

3. Troubleshooting Visibility

   • If the torus disappears after adding the modifier, go to Edit > Preferences, find the Viewport section, and disable GPU Subdivision.

Chapter 4 Editing the Object

1. Enter Edit Mode

   • Press Tab to toggle between Object Mode and Edit Mode.

2. Understand Mesh Structure

   • In Edit Mode, you'll see vertices (points), edges (lines connecting vertices), and faces (flat surfaces).

3. Manipulate Vertices

   • Select a vertex and press G to grab and move it. Left-click to confirm.

Chapter 5 Proportional Editing

1. Enable Proportional Editing

   • Find the Proportional Editing tool in the toolbar and enable it.

2. Adjust Influence

   • When moving a vertex with G, scroll the mouse wheel to change the influence radius, affecting nearby vertices for a smoother transition.

3. Create Lumpy Shapes

   • Move different vertices to create a more natural, uneven donut shape.

Chapter 6 Shrinking the Circumference

1. Select Edge Loop

   • Hold Alt and left-click on an edge to select the entire loop around the donut.

2. Scale the Edges

   • Press S to scale and move the edge loop inward to flatten the donut slightly.

Chapter 7 Saving Your File

1. Save Your Work
   • Go to File > Save As and save your project with the .blend extension.

Conclusion

You have now created a basic donut shape in Blender, learned how to apply smooth shading, used modifiers for a finer finish, and edited the mesh to add character to your model. As you continue your Blender journey, remember to practice, explore, and don't hesitate to seek help from the community or resources available online. Happy blending!