3DS Max Exercise 2.1: Low Poly House

Low Poly House


This exercise allowed me to use my existing techniques and skills to create a higher detailed though still low poly house. It also allowed me to practice two new techniques called 'connect' and 'bevel'. While previously I documented steps in exercises for future reference of specific parts and, in the case of the house, to analyse each method to chose the best, this post will be more concerned with the evaluation of the result.This will be true of most of the exercises to follow, unless any important methods become noteworthy.

The edges shown here were achieved with the 'connect' tool. With two edges selected, the tool will create one or many lines at equal distances in between them. As shown in this close up of the window, I create two vertical edges using the tool and then changed the 'pinch' setting to bring them closer together. This is not however restricted to just edges, the square in the middle as shown below was achieved using the tool with vertices. Unlike the segments method of the first house exercise, this methods means only the polygons needed can be created.

The sloping on the top of the house was created using the 'bevel' tool. The height and outline size can was changed using the caddy to achieve the desired amount.

The roof was achieved by using the connect tool and moving individual vertices. These points were then moved up on the 'z' axis to create the raised roof. The finished result is shown below in 'wireframe' and realistic shading mode.  

Good parts:

• More detail on windows by using 'connect' and 'extrude' for cross panels
• 'Bevel' tool creates interesting geometry rather than a simple cube for a house
• Various shapes and slopes on roof also create an interesting and more complex roof
• Windows were created without needing to split the whole face into many equal polygons as in previous methods; the model is detailed while maintaining an effective poly count

Issues:

• After using the 'bevel' modifier on the flat roof service, the front edges of the largest face became curved. The problem was avoided when those edges were dragged back to form the prism on the front two faces

Improvements:

• Removing the window shape polygons or separating them as a different objects would allow them to be seen through. This could be achieved by applying a transparent texture to the separate object or explaining the gap as a broken window