Hey there!
I am SharkingAround but you can call me Shark.
I am here to teach you how to make high detail and low poly models without using the subdivision modifier (and achieve similar results) in blender.
So why not use the subdivision modifier?
For starters, the subdivision modifier can bring unwanted triangles into your model/s.
for example here:
(image of an old model I have created)
Why Triangles are undesirable
When creating a ‘skinned mesh’ rig/model, deformations will usually look a bit awkward and wrong when tris are present on joints. When creating a ‘skinned mesh’ character quads are most preferable as they A: provide a much smoother deformation and B: promote better topology for easier and cleaner UV unwraps/shading.
VS
The subdivision modifier not only presents the issue of unwanted triangles but also disallows complete control of your model as your manipulation of vertices will not have a full influence on the model.
So how do we achieve similar results without it?
Subdividing and loopcutting
Subdividing and loop cutting are crucial parts of the no-subdivision workflow as they provide you and your model with more geometry to work with and help out greatly with the next step of the tutorial.
Subdividing
to subdivide your model, you will want to enter ‘edit mode’ on your model by pressing TAB on your keyboard. Once you have entered ‘edit mode’ you will want to select the vertices you want to subdivide.
Once you have selected the vertices you want to subdivide, you will want to right-click click with your mouse and select ‘subdivide’
Once you have done that, your model will have an increased amount of vertices and should look similar to this:
Loop cutting
To loop cut your model, you will want to enter ‘edit mode’ on your model by pressing TAB on your keyboard. Once you have entered ‘edit mode’ you will want to press CTRL + R on your keyboard and a yellow line will appear on your model.
Move your mouse to different points on the model until the yellow line is at a desirable location
Example
Tip
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse to add/subtract the amount of loops you want to be cut.
once at a desirable location, left click and drag the newly formed loop to a desirable position.
Once in a desirable position, left click on your mouse again and the loop will remain there.
Smooth vertices
The smooth vertices feature in blender is a major part of the no subdivision modifier workflow. When using the smooth vertex feature in blender, your currently selected vertices will be smoothed out and spread evenly across your mesh.
Using the smooth vertex feature
To use the smooth vertex feature; first, you must select the vertices you want to be smoothed
Then you press CTRL+V and then select the ‘smooth vertices’ button or you navigate to ‘vertex’ on the hot bar and select 'smooth vertices
Examples
UI that pops up when pressing CTRL + V
UI that pops up when you navigate through the Hotbar
once you have selected ‘smooth vertices’ you will notice this has happened to your mesh:
If this has happened then: congratulations, you have made your first steps towards getting rid of the subdivision modifier
Alternatively, if this hasn’t happened to your mesh, you may want to repeat the steps above.
So what now?
Now… lets go practice medicin- (sorry, tf2 reference)
But really, put these newly learnt skills into practice, create models from scratch and never give up!
Thanks for your time, Shark <3
(Keep in mind this is my first tutorial)