Using Modifiers

Introduction to Modifiers

Modifiers are automatic operations that affect an object's geometry in a non-destructive way. Blender has 54 modifiers, with the most useful ones for this course being Array, Mirror, Subdivision Surface, Boolean, Shrinkwrap, and Remesh.

Accessing the Modifiers Menu

The modifiers menu is accessed through the wrench icon in the Properties Editor.

Array Modifier

The Array Modifier creates multiple copies of an object with various offset settings.

These offset settings control the positioning of duplicates. These include Constant Offset, which adds a fixed translation component; Relative Offset, which adds a translation equal to the object's bounding box size along each axis, multiplied by a scaling factor; and Object Offset, which adds a transformation taken from another object. Additionally, settings like the Merge and First Last options can be used to eliminate discontinuities and add geometries to the start and end.

Proper application of the Object’s transforms(Using Ctrl A) is important to avoid distortion.

Mirror Modifier

The Mirror Modifier creates a mirrored copy of an object across an object’s axes, or across a specified axes.

When mirroring the other half of an object across its axes, check the ‘Merge’ box to merge vertices along the mirror axis for a seamless transition, and prevent splits.

Subdivision Surface Modifier

The Subdivision Surface Modifier Splits faces of a mesh into smaller faces, creating a smooth appearance. It allows control over subdivision levels for viewport and render displays.

Boolean Modifier

The Boolean Modifier performs operations on meshes, allowing you to create a single mesh from two mesh objects. It is perhaps the fastest way to model complex objects, especially those that are hard-surfaced. This modifier supports operations such as the ‘Union’, ‘Difference’, and ‘Intersect’.

Remesh Modifier

The Remesh Modifier generates new mesh topology while following the surface curvature of the input. It ensures the output consists of only quads, and is great for retopology.

Shrinkwrap Modifier

The shrinkwrap modifier adjusts the surface of a model to wrap around a target object. It is useful for retopology and creating clothing by conforming geometry to a character's body. This modifier has the following settings:

• Wrap method which includes the ‘Nearest Surface’ and ‘Project’. The Nearest Surface finds the nearest point on the target object's surface for each vertex of the modified object. While the Project method projects vertices along a chosen axis until they touch the target object's surface.
• Snap Modes, which determine where the mesh should snap to on the target object.
• The Offset determines the distance between the mesh and the target mesh.
• Vertex groups control the strength of the modifier for each vertex.

Modifier Stack

The modifier stack is simply the order in which an object’s modifiers are arranged or applied. Modifiers can be applied in almost any order, but the order in which they are applied has a significant impact on the final result. The modifiers are calculated from top to bottom in the stack, meaning that the order in which they are added can change the outcome.

For example, proper ordering can prevent issues like pinching or splitting of the mesh along the mirror axis when both the subdivision and mirror modifiers are used.