The Philosophy
The following character is one of my current free time projects, and as far as I can remember I was inspired to start working on it, after seeing some of the work of: Ila Soleimani  http://www.ilasolomon.com/ one or two years ago  :-)

When modelling a character, a cartoony, stylized or realistic one, most 3d modelers, will start by gathering references or drawings to put in the background.

For my part I just love and enjoy doodling around in modo, and to let myself go with the flow-the complete opposite workflow of my everyday work. When I am doodling, I don't plan my model topology in advance, I just deal with the problem areas as they arise. The same goes for the design aspect when I start working on one of my own characters, although I have an overall idea about the final design, nothing it isn't engraved in stone in advance. I really love the flexibility that modo gives me as a modelling tool, in terms of changing the polygon flow on the spot or editing the geometry. 

Before going further with this tutorial, you should make sure that you understand the layer function, and have an overall idea of where the tools are located and how they work. In the first part of this tutorial we take a look at the functions that we would use most of the time further down the road, however, this small tutorial will not cover aspects which are covered in the well written and pleasantly layed out user manual or the excellent online help of modo.

It is not my aim to describe how to use the functions, nor cover what their effects are, but I will at least try to give you an insight about which part of my modelling process they cover.

Edge tools are the basis of my workflow, I tend to rough out the shape first with the help of Edges Extend, then start the detailling with the Split Edges tools and finsih with some polyflow correction with the help of the Spin Edges tool.

Vertex welding and Set Position tools are really handy tools when it comes to bringing different parts together or when I need to align vertices prior to a mirroring function.

Furthermore I make an extensive use of the different Deformation tools that modo makes availble to my modeling workflow.


The Element Move tool works great for tightening up your meshes. It works on Vertex, Edge and Polygons. You just have to hover over the element and it moves when you drag it.


Modo provides some of the nicest Falloff settings for your modeling workflow. Imagine having a Falloff on Rotate, Move, Stretch...it's pretty freaking sweet.