modo Sculpting
Sculpt or use traditional modeling tools at will. Sculpting is not a special mode in modo.
In modo, sculpting and traditional modeling are brought together in one application. modo offers two sculpting methods: mesh-based and image-based. You can use the sculpting tools to quickly push and pull your model into the shape you want or to add organic details not achievable with traditional modeling tools. Together, the combination of modeling and integrated in one application makes for a uniquely powerful 3D content creation experience.
Mesh-based Sculpting
Mesh-based sculpting tools modify existing points on a mesh with a brush and are the fastest way to move, smooth, inflate or flatten geometry. They are ideal for use as an extension to traditional modeling tools or for quickly roughing out a base shape that will then receive more detail using image-based sculpting techniques.
Available tools include: Push, Smooth, Carve, Flatten, Fold, Inflate, Smudge, Move, Tangent Pinch, Spin, Emboss, Mask. Numerous brush types are available for each tool. (Standard behavior is to perform the opposite effect with the Ctrl key depressed)
I really like all the modeling improvements in modo and my favorites would be the Push, Smudge, and Move Tools under the Sculpt Tools.
You can quickly sculpt out your shapes with these tools and you do it right on the mesh in case you need to bring your model into a different 3D application.
– Roger Borelli, Senior Modeler
Image-Based Sculpting
modo lets you construct geometry with precision by allowing you to snap to existing geometry or to points on the modo workplane. You can also easily align your workplane to any selection set. Consider the most basic of drawing tools in modo, the Pen tool, which lets you place vertices to form geometry. As you are drawing, modo displays ghosted guidelines that allow you to draw at right angles or continue on the same angle to create a straight line from the last two vertices. Similarly, you can move or rotate existing points in your model to snap to another vertex, edge, mid-edge, polygon, or polygon center. Want to type in a value? You configure modo to work in whatever units you want and you can type in strings like 4m+6in and modo does the math (4 meters plus 6 inches) for you!
Integration
Sculpting is no isolated experience in modo; it is simply part of a larger toolset that you can use at any time. You have access to traditional modeling tools as you sculpt, just as you have tools to paint. The sculpting tools in modo use the exact same system of tool falloffs, brushes and inks as the rest of modo. With the Preview Renderer, you get a lit view of your work right as you are sculpting. When sculpting in modo, all the data is simply native to modo. The ability to add or remove base geometry without having to import or export a mesh increases your productivity. Likewise, there is no need to bake out a displacement map.
Okay finally got some time away from paid work to almost finish this personal project.
The liquid is all Modo using the sculpt tools, and a little Photoshop work too.
I have rendered a whiter effect and something as a test as red paint.
Yeah the woman is a photo (if only I could do something like that in Modo...)
But thanks for all your great comments. I love this modoverse.
You can quickly sculpt out your shapes with these tools and you do it right on the mesh in case you need to bring your model into a different 3D application."
– photosonic
True Displacement
modo can work with a true vector displacement — not just height fields. This means you can store objects like a mushroom in a vector displacement map. You can even turn 3D geometry into a brush and sculpt using ears (or mushrooms).
I tried to sculpt hairs and in order to
do that I needed a rake, so I built a custom brush using the geometry
to brush command. I modeled four spheres side-by-side with gaps between
them and I converted that to a brush. I then used that brush, activated
the nozzle tool and set the rotation to ‘align.’ Then I simply sculpted
with that brush making curvy strokes.
- Gregory Duquesne, Luxology
Fur Sculpting
The sculpting tools in modo are not only for creating geometry, they are also used to control the Fur material. In modo 401, you can style Fur interactively, using the Sculpt tools on curves, which act as hair “guides”. Using the sculpting tools you can flatten the grass in a meadow or arrange the hair on the head of a model.
Sculpting Workflow Examples
See and download more modo sculpting videos at Luxology.tv.
