Kuhn - Blender 3D incredible machines: design, model, and texture complex mechanical objects in Blender

• A project overview
• Creating the barrel
• Modeling a handgrip and other pieces

• Navigate comfortably in 3D space
• Switch between different views
• Add objects to a scene
• Move, rotate, and scale objects
• Open, close, and save files
• Switch between the Object and Edit modes
• Switch between face, edge, and vertex selections
• Add modifiers
• Drink large quantities of coffee

For our first project, we'll be modeling a high poly, sci-fi weapon. It's approximately the same shape as a modern day handgun, but it gives us the flexibility to be creative and explore different modeling techniques.

Here's an example of what the final model will look like (without materials and textures):

In this first chapter, we'll create the basic beveled shapes of our gun. We'll start by extruding some basic shapes. Next, we'll add the main body of the gun, then move on to the additional pieces. As we do this, we'll look at a number of modifiers and mesh tools. Specifically, we'll be discussing the following topics:

When we're finished with this section, our project will look like this:

If you're ready, let's open a new scene in Blender and get started!

We'll start by adding a circle to our scene (press Shift + A to access the Add menu). By default, circles are added with 32 sides (and 32 vertices). This screenshot will work just fine for us:

Next, we'll rotate the circle by 90 on the X axis ( R , 90, X , and Enter ). Then, we'll apply our rotation and scale by pressing Ctrl + A and selecting Rotation & Scale . We want to apply the rotation here for Blender to be aware of the object's default orientation. This is relevant to several tools and modifiers that we'll be using. We need to apply the scale for the same reason. For instance, the Bevel tool often doesn't work properly when objects do not have their scale values applied. We'll discuss this in detail in the later sections. For now, go ahead and apply your rotation and scale to the circle as shown here:

Now, we'll switch to the Front view with 1 on the numpad. We'll then go into Edit mode by hitting the Tab key. Switch to Vertex selection mode by using Ctrl + Tab :

Next, we'll use Shift + D to duplicate them. We'll scale the new circle down using the S key and drag the cursor to the middle of the circle. This smaller circle will form the inside of the barrel and allow us to make changes to the outer circle without losing track of the center (and vertices) of the original one.

Next, we'll start deleting some vertices that we don't want. The outside of the barrel will not be a perfect circle, so we'll need to change it. First, we'll delete three vertices at both the top and bottom of the circle. To do this, we'll select the ones that we don't want any longer, and then hit X . From the pop-up menu, select Vertices . This will give you a good idea of how much of the original circle is remaining. You can select more or fewer vertices depending on the desired look.

Next, we'll delete half of both the circles:

This will allow us to add the Mirror modifier. This modifier will duplicate half of an object across its axis. Using it, we can model one side of the gun, and Blender will automatically fill in the other side to match it. Obviously, this will save us a lot of time. In order to do this, go to the