3D Polygonal Surface
Before discussing modeling features, attributes, and techniques,
you must understand what a 3D surface is. The mesh you will be
working on is a group of vertices and edges that form polygons. The
3D surface is generated by advanced mathematic algorithms that
put a “skin” over the mesh so you perceive a three-dimensional
shape. Note that what you see in the viewport of your software is a
“rough draft” compared to a rendered image. When you move your
mesh inside the viewport, it is redrawn in real time.
3
Chapter 1 – Polygonal System Basics
Figure 1-3: A wireframe render.
Figure 1-4: Left, real-time surfacing. Right, final rendering of the same
sphere with the same number of polygons.