Subdivision Surface Modeling

This is a modeling technique for making high-poly hard-surface models, by manipulating a lower-resolution "cage" model and using software to subdivide for a smoother surface.

For game artists, "high-poly hard-surface" usually means creating mechanical/constructed models, which are used to bake into Normal Maps and other types of textures, which are in turn used on lower-resolution game-friendly models.

Subdivision surfaces can also be used for organic shapes.

Not to be confused with SmoothingGroups. The term "box modeling" can be used, though this applies only to the cage modeling process, not to the subdivision part.

Subdivision Methods

There are many ways to subdivide models. 3ds Max uses mostly the Meshsmooth or Turbosmooth modifiers, while Maya uses mostly the Smooth Mesh Preview (3 key) or Subdiv Proxy.

Beware: Maya's "Subdivision Surface" system is a specialized case which allows different subdivision levels in different areas; this is different from most other modeling tools which divide the whole model instead.

3ds Max and Maya also support edge creasing, which adjusts the subdivision tension on specific edges, creating degrees of edge "hardness". These crease weights typically only work within the original modeling software and are not exportable.

Models made for games are often exported to work with multiple modeling and baking tools... trying to export a model with creases or local subdivisions may not retain the original modeler's intent. Many tools now support Pixar's OpenSubdiv library which may help solve this issue. However the full modeling pipeline should be tested early, to avoid costly errors later on.

Primers

Subdivision Surfaces: Overview video from The GuerrillaCG Project

Subdivision Topology Artifacts video from The GuerrillaCG Project

OpenSubdiv - Modeling Tips by Pixar.

Hard Surface Fundamentals for 3ds Max by Grant 'sathe' Warwick

Técnicas modelado por subdivisión by Cristóbal Vila (English translation by Google)

Sub-Division Primer from Subdivisionmodeling.com

gotwires Got Wires is all about Subdivision Modeling: Video Tutorials, Sub-D Wires and Modeling Resources.

Subdivision surface - Wikipedia has good technical info about sub-d.

Shared: My Technical Talk content by Per 'Perna' Abrahamsen.

Hard Surfaces

FAQ: How u model dem shapes? Hands-on mini-tuts for mechanical sub-d AKA ADD MORE GEO from the Polycount Boards

Hard Surface Sculpting – ZBrush by Selwy

Making paneling lines as a floater for 3ds Max by Ralphie 'boyluya' Agenar. From the Polycount Forum thread Firefall - Hard surface Art Dump.

Using ProBooleans in 3ds Max for sub-d modeling Polycount forum thread.

3D Tutorials from Per Abrahamsen aka Per128

Minitutorials by Marcus Aseth - by Marcus Aseth. Modeling gun parts, etc.

hard surface modelling hints pt1 - by 'slipgatecentral'. Creating floaters in Maya, short video tutorial.

How to create circular holes by subdivision by Etereae Studios (translated into English by Google)

Subdivision Tips – Hard Surface Modelling by Alberto 'Blaizer' Lozano (translated into English by Google)

Creating a Next-Gen Sci-Fi Prop video tutorial by Evan 'racer445' Herbert. Shows the "double smooth" modeling trick for 3ds Max: use smoothing groups to define hard edges, add a TurboSmooth modifier set to preserve smoothing groups, then another without on top.

Double Smooth - by Ben 'poopinmymouth' MathisVideo tutorial demonstrates the double-smooth technique for fast sub-d modeling.

Model a Detailed High Poly Fire Hydrant in 3ds Max - by Ben Tate

Matte Metal Tutorial - by Philip 'Philipk' KlevestavModeling and texturing a sci-fi metal plate wall using 3ds Max and Photoshop. More modeling and texturing tutorials at http://www.philipk.net/tutorials.html.