Issue while using BoxCutter
Question Modeling

Question

Hi,

I don't know if it's ok to ask questions about add-ons. If that's the case, just don't mind me.

I'm using BoxCutter to create some hard surface models and I'm following a tutorial and of course things don't go as planned :) While I'm trying to cut a cutter, I get some ugly distortions and shading. The problem is that I don't fully understand all of the stuff this add-on does in the background and so I have no idea what to fix/ where to look.

I saw that sometimes using the knife tool helps. Again, don't know why, just something that people do to fix these kind of issues. Maybe that new cut is interfering with the bevels next to it?

I will go ahead and upload the file, just in case there is a possibility to get help.

Answer 1 · 2023-06-22T20:02:38Z

Omar Domenech replied June 22, 2023 8:02pm

I think it's not a case about the addon functionality, it has to do with rules about topology of the meshes. Addons like Box Cutter do a lot of hack and slash without having in mind topology best practices and that's why you get ugly results. So what people do, after they've hacked and slash, is they go in and try to fix the mesh knowing well the rules topology has to follow. The more you "bare bones model" the more your brain starts to anticipate what will cause problems. So I guess my advice would be to first focus on how to model with topology best practices in mind, so you know what causes problems and what needs fixing before you reach for tools like Box Cutter which requires that previous knowledge.

Answer 2 · 2023-06-22T23:27:46Z

Martin Bergwerf replied June 22, 2023 11:27pm

Hey Roxana,

There are two hardsurface modelers that you might want to watch and that have a lot of content on YT using Hops and Boxcutter: Josh Gambrell and the master himself (Topostudy): Masterxeon1001 (or mx2). You often need to cleanup your topology after using Booleans (HardOps/Boxcutter) and these two guys know all the tricks.

Answer 3 · 2023-06-23T08:58:58Z

replied June 23, 2023 8:58am

Hey guys, thanks.

I started learning these add ons because I understood that that's going to improve my topology. I struggle with having good topology and I'm saying this not having unrealistic expectations. It's just that I've taken a bunch of courses and being on my own I realised I'm not that good at modeling. So I know there is still hard work to be done, but when it comes to having good topology I guess I just don't know where to start.

Answer 4 · 2023-06-23T12:22:37Z

Omar Domenech replied June 23, 2023 12:22pm

As far as my memory goes, in this list of courses teachers try to stick to hardcore modeling rules. It's a lot of courses, there's old courses, but with awesome timeless knowledge in them.

https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-mesh-modeling-bootcamp

https://cgcookie.com/courses/pothead-create-a-hard-surface-character-in-blender

https://cgcookie.com/courses/game-character-modeling-with-blender

https://cgcookie.com/courses/modeling-a-post-apocalyptic-vehicle

https://cgcookie.com/courses/modeling-a-sci-fi-helmet-in-blender

https://cgcookie.com/courses/introduction-to-character-modeling

https://cgcookie.com/courses/introduction-to-hard-surface-modeling

https://cgcookie.com/courses/creating-a-wall-of-mailboxes

https://cgcookie.com/courses/short-film-character-production

https://cgcookie.com/courses/creature-modeling-for-production

https://cgcookie.com/courses/introduction-to-retopology

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