3d modelling - a Modo modeling guide

Learn to use and create shortcuts in Modo's 3-d view for tools like bevel and bridge, and manage them via the shortcut editor, command line, and history.

Explore modo layouts, switching between model, uv, paint, and game tools to access modeling, uv editing, texturing, and animation tools, and learn how to create and customize your own layouts.

Learn to record, save, and bind macros in Modo to automate polygon beveling and extrusions, and add the macro to a pie menu for quick access.

Explore creating and testing shortcuts to start a primitive in Modo, view command-line history, and copy-paste scripts, while assigning shortcuts with ctrl+shift across any location in your model.

Create a dog house model in Modo starting from a cube primitive, then shape with edge loops, boolean cutouts, and snapping for accurate proportions.

Learn how to recreate a face in Modo using a preset model as a background, align and project it onto a plane, then subdivide for a smooth face effect.

Model a wine glass in Modo by tracing a contour on a central line and revolving it around the center axis, using b-spline or bezier with snapping and radial sweep.

Master UV mapping for a head in Modo by using selection sets, symmetry, and careful seam placement to achieve even texture distribution and a clean wrap.

Recreate a tubular object and apply a UV map using the symmetry tool and work plane snapping, then unwrap, wrap, adjust gaps, and prevent overlaps for clean UVs.

Explore how to add depth in Modo by shaping geometry, adjusting curvature, and evaluating subdivision surface results with reflections to refine a clean, realistic 3D model.

Refining the front, this lecture shows snapping and positioning vertices, bridging and merging loops, and adjusting edges while using smooth mode for a clean, continuous surface.

Learn to cap holes in Modo by using loops, joins, and extending to create a clean disk with a central hole, then bevel and refine edges for sharp, smooth results.

Transform the breathalyzer model by smoothing surfaces, applying bevels, and using symmetry to create sharp edges. Fix gaps, align work planes, join vertices, and ensure a flat, clean mesh.

Combine parts in Modo by applying subtraction, refining topology with loops, and using fusion nodes to unite clips and slits into a coherent battery holder model.

Explore viewport navigation in Modo, rotate, pan, zoom, and center objects in the 3d workspace, then select polygons or edges and transform them with move, scale, and rotate.

Master 3D viewport navigation by rotating the camera with the alt key and drag, panning with shift alt drag, and zooming with ctrl alt drag or the mouse wheel.

Master advanced selections in Modo using selection sets, including selecting polygons by material, by type, and by edge, boundary, or vertex map.

Explore the all-in-one transform tool and its rotation, movement, and scaling handles. Learn work plane constraints, plane-specific scaling, numeric input, and applying transforms with the space bar.

Explore creating and editing a sphere primitive in Modo, using the interactive right-click mode to adjust position, radius, segments, and subdivision settings for precise placement.

Explore the torus primitive in modo, enable its interactive 3-D viewport, and adjust centerpoint coordinates, ring radius, cross section, height, segments, and smoothing to shape the torus.

Draw and edit a tube primitive by placing points on a curve, adjusting segments, radius, and twist. Apply profiles, cap ends, and control closure and direction to shape the tube.

Explore solid sketch primitive, create and edit notes on the work plane, adjust subdivision levels, rotate and scale notes, and generate holes and line merges.

Using the curve tool in modo, create and edit points on a plane to form lines and curves, close or fill them, adjust handles, and render as curves or polygons.

Create a B-spline on the ground plane by placing four control points to form a curve, then edit and close the curve in 3d with control and shift tools.

Learn how to reset a tool in Modo to its original state by right-clicking and choosing reset tool, undoing changes across a tool’s settings.

Learn to use the edge slice tool in Modo to create new edges on a mesh, control distance and middle-edge snapping, and split polygons for precise modeling.

Explore how to use the pen slice tool in Modo to slice selected objects with a drawn line, creating open or closed paths and adjustable points for precise edits.

Explore the loop slice tool in Modo, enabling loops through an object with direction from two selected polygons, adjustable count, spacing, symmetry, and curvature to create diverse profiles.

Learn to use the julienne tool in Modo to create slices from objects, adjust gap size, and control slice positions between start and end points for precise modeling.

Use the tack tool to snap and align polygons between objects in the same mesh container, using ghost copies to preview alignment and dragging to place with optional rotation offsets.

Explore how the action center, also called the selection center, reorients objects to the world directions and enables moving and rotating with aligned lines and auto axis.

Place the action center at the origin (0,0,0) of the scene to center it on the object, then use duplication and mirroring relative to that origin for symmetrical modeling.

Explore radial falloff on the work plane, adjust handles to shape a sphere-like influence, and control center, size, and presets to affect surrounding geometry.

Create a linear falloff by clicking on the work plane. Fit it to an object and adjust along x and z axes, reverse direction, or switch to smooth shapes.

Apply airbrush falloff by painting onto the object and adjusting brush size and center. Control the effect with transparency to influence both visible and not visible areas.

Apply screen falloff to sculpt with a radial shape influenced by screen position, using right-click drag. It affects visible polygons and can include behind geometry when set to transparent.

Learn element fall off by transforming a single element, adjusting size, and selecting modes like sensor, vertex, edge, or polygon center; enable snapping and shape presets such as ease in/out.

Use image fall off to deform your image by adjusting size, scale, position, and rotation with the transform tool, and explore repeats to add depth.

Explore how selection falloff interacts with selections in Modo, activate the selection, and adjust smoothness by changing steps up to 14 for a very smooth shape in the viewport.