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Blender Modeling [Addendum] - Improve Efficiency By Using Shortcuts & Add-ons

Blender Modeling [Addendum] - Improve  Efficiency By Using Shortcuts & Add-ons

For modeling in Blender, we have
I wrote about the basics in two articles, Modeling with Blender [Practical] and [Knowledge].

 

 

However, if you are going to do serious modeling using Blender, you will find it difficult to do some of the basic things alone.

Therefore, this article is an addendum to Modeling in Blender, which introduces that for more comfortable modeling.

This is a summary of what Toha actually found inconvenient and improved upon when modeling with Blender, so I think it has a fair amount of practicality.

If you have become accustomed to Blender operation and want to model more efficiently, please refer to this page.

 

This article corresponds to the long-term supported version Blender 3.3 LTS.

 

Using shortcuts for frequently used functions is still convenient

gasp

In our Blender articles, we have always used the "no shortcut method" as our basic style.

Knowing how to avoid using shortcuts is helpful because it allows you to deal with the situation when you accidentally forget a shortcut, or to find the function you want from the menu.

However, shortcuts are convenient and efficient when you are modeling hard.

 

So, here we are.

  • Look up shortcuts for frequently used functions
  • Register frequently used functions as shortcuts

I will look at how to do this.

 

List of shortcuts

You can find a list of the main shortcuts for the Blender 3.2 keymap and the industry-compatible keymap on this site. If you would like to check them all together, please click here.

 

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(1) How to check for existing shortcuts

First, let's look at how to find out about existing shortcuts.

From the menu at the top of Blender, go to Edit→Preferences→Keymap, then use the search box in the upper right corner to look up shortcuts.

Blender shortcut search

 

At this time, also note the selection to the left of the search box.

When "Name" is selected on the left side of the search box, it searches for shortcuts by menu or function name.

Change the selection on the left side of the search box to "Key Bindings" to search for shortcuts from assigned keys.

Blender Shortcut Search by Name
Shortcut search from Blender keybindings

 

When a new shortcut is registered to a key, it will overwrite any other shortcut already assigned to that key.

Therefore, when changing a shortcut or registering a new shortcut, it is recommended to check the shortcut assigned to the key with a search, just to be sure.

 

Shortcuts also vary depending on the keymap in use.

You can check/change the keymap to be used in the field above the Name & Key Bindings column. Don't forget to check the keymap before searching for shortcuts.

Shortcuts are different for each keymap.

 

How to find out from the tooltip & menu...

When Blender's tooltip (description display) is enabled, hover the mouse cursor over a menu item and wait a moment, and a shortcut will appear with a brief description.

In some cases, shortcuts are listed from the beginning next to menu items. If you want to know which shortcut is assigned to a function, you can look it up from the menu.

There is also a shortcut description in the tooltip
Shortcuts are also annexed to the menu.

*The display/hide of tooltips can be changed by checking the "Tooltips" checkbox in the Preferences interface.

 

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(2) How to register a new shortcut

Next, I will discuss how to register a new shortcut.

There are two ways to register a new shortcut.

  1. Open the menu and register with a right mouse click
  2. Register from the keymap settings in Preferences

 

First, open the function you want to assign a shortcut to from the menu and register it with a right mouse click.

 

Right mouse click on a menu item opens a window.

Clicking on "Assign Shortcut" will open a small window where you can enter the key to be assigned. Enter the key you want to assign or operate the mouse to register it.

Assigning shortcuts from the Blender menu

 

When right-clicking on a menu that already has a shortcut assigned, the "Change Shortcut" and "Delete Shortcut" items will appear.

Shortcuts can be changed & deleted by right-clicking on the menu.

 

Another way is to register from the preference's keymap settings.

 

How to check for existing shortcuts, Using the method described above, go to Preferences→Keymap & find the item to which you want to assign a shortcut.

You can enter the assigned key directly by clicking where the shortcut key is written.

Assigning shortcuts from Blender Preferences

 

Shortcut settings are saved for each keymap. If you wish to keep the shortcut settings for the original keymap, you can export the keymap file from Export in the upper right corner.

Exporting Blender Keymaps

 

If the registered shortcut does not work...

When you register a new shortcut yourself, it sometimes conflicts with an already existing shortcut for the same key and does not work properly.

in such a case, How to check for existing shortcuts I think it will work better if you find the conflicting shortcuts and uncheck the shortcuts you don't use using the method in the following section.

If you uncheck the conflicting keymap and don't use it, there will be no conflict.

 

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(3) Shortcuts that I personally use in modeling

GOGO

As an example of shortcuts, here are some shortcuts that Toha often uses in modeling.

 

During modeling, Toha's left hand is always around the Alt key on the keyboard. Therefore, we would like to assign a key that is easy to press with the left hand, somewhere around the lower-left corner of the keyboard, to a frequently used menu shortcut.

For this reason, some functions that have shortcuts assigned to them by default are changed to shortcuts that are easier.

 

menu itemAssignment Shortcutsremarks
UndoCtrl+ZKeep the default shortcut
RedoShift+ZCtrl+Shift+Z is hard to press, so change it
TransparencyDChanged from Alt+Z for easier pressing since it is used often
Vertex MargeAlt+QChanged because M is hard to press with left hand
Vertex SlideVShift+V is hard to press, so change it
Crop (fill)Alt+VKeep the default shortcut
Ring SelectionCtrl+Alt+Left ClickKeep the default shortcut
Favorite ToolsShift+QThere were no shortcuts, so register a new one
Super Smart CreateSInteractive Tools add-on: Register for the convenience function
Smart DeleteZInteractive Tools add-on: Register delete function
Edge SubdivisionCFor edge splitting not possible with Super Smart Create
Edge FlowAlt+FEdgeFlow Add-on: Register for Set Flow

 

The keymap that Toha uses is a Maya Config Addon For Blender keymap.

 

Also convenient to register it in your favorite tools

Apart from shortcuts, Blender also has a feature called Favorite Tools.

As the name suggests, this function allows you to register the tools you like and use frequently in a dedicated window.

Blender Favorite Tools

 

The nice thing about the favorite tools is that
you can use various functions just by learning the shortcuts for the favorite tools.

 

Shortcuts are convenient, but if you want to use various functions conveniently, you need to learn as many different shortcuts as possible.

On the other hand, if you register a variety of frequently used functions in your favorite tools, you can use all registered functions with a single shortcut.

check

Favorite Tool Shortcuts
Blender Keymap: Q
Industry compatible keymap: Shift+TAB
Maya Config Addon For Blender: None (register yourself)

 

The method of registering a shortcut to a Favorite Tool is the same as assigning a shortcut by right-clicking on the menu. Right-click on the menu item you wish to register and select "Add to Favorite Tools".

How to register Blender Favorite Tools

 

Add-ons are also recommended to be used as needed

bicorn

Blender has something called an add-on. Add-ons are what Maya calls plug-ins.

Various add-ons for Blender have been developed, and they can greatly increase the usability and convenience of Blender.

 

You can become a true Blender master by using the standard Blender functions or become an extended Blender user by adding add-ons that you find useful.

As for Toha, I think it is better to be able to work comfortably with add-ons than to be stressed out by tolerating inconvenient parts.

So next, we will look at Blender add-ons that are useful when modeling.

 

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(1) Convenient standard add-ons that can be used immediately by simply enabling them

Blender has a standard add-on that is included from the start.

It is included from the beginning, but since it is treated as an additional feature, it is disabled by default. So if you don't know about it, you won't even notice it exists, but in fact, there are a variety of useful add-ons available.

 

First, we will introduce four easy-to-use add-ons from the standard add-ons that you can use immediately by simply activating them.

  • Auto Mirror
  • LoopTools
  • Snap Utilities Line (Make Line)
  • Copy Attributes Menu

 

How to enable standard add-ons...

Select Edit→Preferences→Add-ons and find the add-on you wish to enable in the search box. Check the add-ons displayed and they will be enabled and available for use.

Activate Blender Add-on

 

- Auto Mirror

Auto Mirror is an add-on that removes half of an object and applies a mirror modifier.

In other words, it is an add-on that does everything up to the preparation of symmetry with mirrors with a single click of a button, as described in the article Blender Modeling [Practical], Actual modeling 1).

 

Once the Auto Mirror add-on is enabled, an "edit" tab will be added to the sidebar.

Open the Edit tab and inside you will find ▽Auto Mirror. (If it is closed, click to expand.)

Blender Standard Add-on Auto Mirror

 

Just click on the "Auto Mirror" button with the default settings. Half of the object will be automatically deleted and the mirror modifier will be applied.

Note that pressing the [Auto Mirror] button multiple times will add several mirror modifiers.

 

- LoopTools

LoopTools is an add-on that allows for easy operation of eight functions, including face-application functions such as bridge and loft.

Blender Standard Add-on LoopTools

 

It includes some features that are a bit difficult to use, but it is a standard add-on that is easy to use, so you should give it a try at least once.

Like Auto Mirror, LoopTools, when enabled, added within the "Edit" tab of the sidebar. However, LoopTools is notes that they are only displayed when in edit mode.

 

The eight features of LoopTools are explained here~.

 

- Snap Utilities Line

Snap Utilities Line is a An add-on that can be used as an alternative to the Knife Tool.

When enabled, the tool "Make Line" is added to the toolbar while in edit mode.

 

It is simple to see and use: select the Make Line tool and a black dot will appear at the cursor, then left-click the mouse where the dot is to cut the polygon.

Blender standard add-on Snap Utilities Line (Make Line tool)

This black dot automatically snaps a bit, and becomes orange when a vertex is snapped, light blue when an edge is snapped, and pink while snapping to the midpoint of an edge.

 

However, the Make Line tool is similar to, but different from, the Knife tool; as the name implies, the Make Line tool creates a new edge when clicked on an empty space.

Make Line tool creates an edge where there is none

If you click the left mouse button when it is not snapped anywhere, you will get a strange edge in a strange place.

 

I am not sure if edge creation is useful or not, but you can also create new polygons by opening the Snap Utilities Line settings from Preferences -> Add-ons and checking the □Create faces checkbox.

Snap Utilities Line (Make Line) settings
If you enable Create faces in the add-on settings, you can also create polygons with Make Line.

Make Line and Knife Tool worth a try, as it's a preference as to which is easier to use.

 

- Copy Attributes Menu

Copy Attributes Menu is an add-on that allows you to copy various elements of the active object for multiple objects.

 

Active object means...

When you select an object in Blender's object mode, the selection highlight yellow is the "active" object.

Basically, the last selected object becomes active. Objects that are not active have an orange selection highlight.

Blender Active Object

In Blender, when multiple objects are selected, the only object information that appears in the Property Editor and sidebar is that of the active object.

Even if multiple objects are selected and their values are changed from properties, etc., in principle, only the active object will have its value changed.

 

When the Copy Attributes Menu is enabled, the Copy Attributes Menu will appear when Ctrl+C is pressed The Copy Attributes menu will be displayed when you press

Blender standard add-on Copy Attributes Menu

Copy Object" at the top of the menu is the normal Ctrl + C function, and the items below it are functions added by the add-on The items below are functions added by add-ons.

 

For example, by selecting multiple objects and choosing "Copy Scale" from the Ctrl+C menu, the scale values of the active object can be copied to all other objects except the active one.

Modifiers and vertex weights can also be copied, so I think it is a useful add-on depending on how it is used

 

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(2) Interactive Tools, an add-on that is too useful for certain functions

Blender Add-on Maxivz Interactive Tools

The next add-on is called Interactive Tools.

Interactive Tools has a very useful feature called Super Smart Create.

 

Interactive Tools can be downloaded from Gumroad.

 

*Downloads from Gumroad are available at Maya Config Addon For Blender you can do this in the same way as the "How to download" section, so please refer to that section for specific download instructions.

 

After downloading the add-on zip file, go to Edit -> Preferences -> Add-ons and "Install". Check the add-on name MaxivzTools and enable it to use it.

Installing Maxivz Interactive Tools
A dedicated tab for Maxivz Interactive Tools is added to the sidebar

 

So, let's talk about Super Smart Create, which Toha finds very useful.

This function is a greedily designed function that does everything in one.

 

Here are some of the main things you can do with Super Smart Create (hereafter referred to as SSC).

What you can do with Super Smart Create...

(1) When vertex and vertex are selected and SSC is performed, an edge connecting the vertices is drawn.

Select vertex and vertex and SSC to draw an edge connecting the vertices.

(2) If there is an edge between the vertices you have SSC'd, draw an edge across the vertex.

If there is an edge between the SSCed vertices, draw an edge across the edge.

(3) Select an edge and an edge and SSC to subtract an edge through the midpoint of the edge.

Select an edge and an edge and SSC to subtract an edge through the midpoint of the edge

4) Select only one edge to do SSC performed, a vertex is created in the middle of the edge.

Selecting only one edge and SSC creates a vertex in the middle of the edge

(5) Selecting edges and edges that are far apart and SSC creates polygons between the edges.

Selecting edges and edges that are far apart and SSC will create polygons between the edges.

(6) Selecting the edge of the hole around the hole and SSCing it will cover the hole with polygons.

Selecting the edge of the hole around the hole and SSC will cover the hole with polygons.

(7) Selecting and SSCing the fitted polygons splits the polygons in a good way according to the surrounding conditions.

Selecting a polygon with a hole covered and SSCing it will split the polygons in a good way according to the surrounding conditions.

(8) When multiple vertices are selected on a polygonal polygon and SSC is performed, an edge is drawn to the last selected vertex.

SSC on polygonal polygons with multiple vertices selected to draw edges that converge on the last selected vertex.

 

...Did I convey something amazing?

The tool will automatically determine what to do according to the elements you have selected.

Well, sometimes there are errors because of the complexity of what it is doing, but even with that, I think it is a useful feature.

Register Super Smart Create as an easy-to-press shortcut and your modeling work will progress.

 

When you right-mouse-click on Soper Smart Create register it as a shortcut, please do so while in edit mode.

Interactive Tools is an add-on that can be used in both object mode and edit mode, so it seems that each mode is treated as a separate menu. Shortcut registration is also separate.

 

Interactive Tools has various functions other than Super Smart Create and Smart Delete, which are the two functions that Toha often uses. Smart Delete.

To learn more about the full functionality of the Interactive Tools add-on, please visit Interactive Tools official documentation or visit the website below~!

 

(3) EdgeFlow, a convenient modeling companion

EdgeFlow is a free Blender add-on available on GitHub.

When modeling in Maya, Toha often uses the Edge Flow function of the Multi-Cut tool. Edge flow is a function that adjusts the position of the target edge so that it becomes a smooth curve by looking at both adjacent edges.

 

Example: Edge flow function of Maya.↓

Edge Flow feature of the Maya Multi-Cut tool

 

The EdgeFlow add-on enables Blender to do something similar to EdgeFlow in Maya.

 

You can download it from this page.

 

From the download page, go to Code→Download ZIP to download the zip file. The zip file can be installed in the same way as Interactive Tools.

How to download the Blender EdgeFlow add-on
Installing Maxivz Interactive Tools

 

After installing EdgeFlow, "Set Flow" is added to the edge menu in edit mode.

EdgeFlow Select an edge or vertex and Set Flow will edge flow it for you.

Set Flow is also can registered as a shortcut and use it in combination with Loop Cut and Super Smart Create for a quick edge flow.

 

Example: Edge flow in Blender.↓

Edge Flow with Blender Loop Cut and Set Flow
Edge Flow with Blender Super Smart Create and Set Flow

 

Blender also seems to have other add-ons that are useful and standard.

If you want to know about add-ons, please refer to Boukyakuno's site, which introduces many useful ones!

 

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It is also useful to adjust Blender's display settings to make it easier to work with

♪

We have introduced shortcuts and add-ons, but to model comfortably and efficiently, it is also useful to adjust Blender's display settings well.

Let me introduce some of the adjustments that Toha made as he proceeded with the modeling.

 

(1) Adjust transparency of transparent display

Blender's Transparency is a frequently used feature, but the degree of transparency can be changed according to one's own preferences and circumstances.

 

The transparency can be changed when the 3D View Shading can be done when in solid view. When in solid view, click on the ▽ on the far right to open the options and you will see a "Transparency" bar.

Adjust transparency of Blender transparency display

The default transparency value is 0.5, but you can make it extremely transparent by setting it to 0.1, for example, or just a little transparent by setting it to 0.9.

 

While modeling, Toha often uses a transparency display to edit the vertices on the backside, and when it is troublesome to make the object translucent each time, he sets the value to "1.0".

When the transparency display is 1.0, the object is not translucent and only the vertices on the backside are visible.

Difference between transmission = 0.1 and transmission = 1.0

 

(2) Viewport is enlarged by switching to maximize area

During the modeling process, the Property Editor and the outliner is sometimes not particularly necessary.

 

In such cases, use "Maximize Area" to make only the 3D viewport larger to use more screen space and make modeling This allows you to use a wider screen and makes modeling work easier.

Maximizing the 3D viewport makes modeling easier

 

To maximize an area, select View→Area→Maximize Area Header Menu.

Blender 3D viewport maximization (area maximization switching)

It is more convenient to maximize an area quickly with a shortcut, so you can existing shortcuts and use them, or register a new shortcut.

 

incidentally Maya Config Addon For Blender, if you are using the "Max Screen" menu, you can also do this by right-clicking and selecting "Max Screen" from the pie menu that appears when you right-click.

Maya Config Addon For Blender Maximize 3D viewport from right click pie menu

 

(3) Semi-transparent/wireframe display of specific objects only

Only specific objects are displayed semi-transparently/wireframed.

When you are creating a 3D model with many parts, you may want to display only certain objects in a "semi-transparent" or "wireframe" view.

For example, you can edit the face model by making only the hair semi-transparent, or edit the body model by displaying a wireframe of the clothing model.

 

You can hide objects that are not being edited if they are in the way, but you may want to keep them as guides for position and volume.

We will take a closer look at how to make only specific objects semi-transparent/wireframed.

 

Combination technique - making specific objects unselectable

When displaying specific objects in semi-transparent/wireframe view as guides, it is recommended to make them "unselectable" from the outliner as well.

For more information on specific methods, see Object Management with Outliner, please refer to the following.

 

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- Make the material translucent in the viewport display

The first step is to make a specific object translucent in the 3D viewport.

 

The way to do it is to create a translucent material and assign it to the object.

It is easy to create a material that appears translucent in the 3D viewport during modeling.

 

First, select the object you want to make translucent, then click Property EditorOpen the material properties of Create a new material by pressing "+ New" and give it an appropriate name.

If you look at the surface, you will see that it is set to "Principle BSDF," but you can use a simpler material, so click here and change it to "Diffuse BSDF" or something similar.

Blender New Material Assignment

 

One note here is to set the translucency from the color palette of Diffuse BSDF.

The color palette below the surface column is the material color setting for rendering. The settings here do not affect the appearance of the 3D viewport in solid view.

 

Settings that affect the appearance of the solid display in the 3D viewport can be found in ▽Viewport Display.

How to change a material to translucent in a Blender 3D viewport

 

Click on the color in the viewport display & lower the value of the A bar from the window that opens to make the object translucent in the 3D viewport in solid mode.

A is the alpha channel. The alpha channel manages transparency information.

 

Incidentally, no matter how much you change the color or transparency in the viewport display, it will not be reflected in the material preview display or rendering results. Please think of it as a working material setting.

Colors affecting Blender material preview display and render display

 

No semi-transparent objects and guide images

We received a comment about How to make guide images easier to see with semi-transparent objects.

If you do it as is, it will look strange, but with a little effort, you can make both semi-transparent objects and guide images easier to see. For more information, please refer to the comments section for more information~.

 

- Wireframe in viewport display of objects

The next step is to make a specific object in the 3D viewport appear in wireframe view.

First, select the object you want to display in the wireframe view and click Property EditorOpen object properties from

 

If you open the viewport display section of the viewport, you will find two places where you can set up wireframes.

  • If the display method is changed to "Wireframe", the object is displayed in the wireframe view.
  • The "Wireframe" checkbox is turned on, wireframes are superimposed on the original state.

Because of these differences, I think it's a good idea to use it for different purposes - I'm sure you can find the right one for your application.

 

How to display specific objects in wireframe view in Blender 3D viewport
How to overlay a wireframe on a specific object in the Blender 3D viewport

 

If you want to apply this wireframe display, etc. to multiple objects at once, use the

Hold down the Alt key to turn on a check box or select an item!

In Blender, "hold down the Alt key while typing" seems to be the key when you want to apply to multiple objects at once. If you hold down the Alt key while typing in a move or rotation value, it will also work on multiple objects.

 

- Copying materials to multiple objects

If you want to copy a material applied to one object to several other objects at once, you can use Data Link/Transfer.

 

From the object mode menu in the header, Object→Data Link/Transfer→Material. The shortcut is Ctrl+L.

Copy and paste materials with Blender data linking/transfer
check

Data link/transfer shortcut
Blender keymap: Ctrl + L
Industry compatible keymap: None?
Maya Config Addon For Blender: Ctrl + L

 

Data Link/Transfer allows you to copy and paste materials and modifiers from the active object to all other objects in the selection.

Data linking/transfer allows you to copy and paste materials to multiple objects at once.

 

What is an active object...
An object whose selection highlight is yellow is an active object. For more information, see the description in Standard Add-ons Copy.

 

Summary: Creating an environment where you can concentrate only on modeling will help you work better

OK

In this article, we have introduced a few things to help you work more comfortably and efficiently when modeling.

I believe that the key to an efficient and comfortable modeling process is
how to reduce the stress felt outside of modeling.

 

If you find yourself thinking, "I have to do this several times," or "It's hard to press this shortcut," we recommend that you actively improve it, even if it is only a little at a time.

As you do this, you will gradually become less and less concerned about the "operation" part, and you will be able to concentrate on the pure "modeling" part of your work.

 

What I wrote in this article is only an example of an environmental improvement that I have tried, but I hope it will be helpful for each of you to improve it to your liking.

 

The minimum requirements for modeling in Blender can be found here [Practical] article summarizes the following.

 

 

By the way, here is the model that Toha was working hard on modeling while improving the Blender environment.

 

Toha
Toha

I could write a little bit of everything I learned!

List of comments

  1. RUM says:

    Thank you for your assistance.

    I have just started using blender, so the articles written by you are very helpful and easy to understand.
    Thank you very much.

    One thing I would like to ask you here is about the object transparency of how to reduce the value of the A bar, I used this one.

    Add>image>back ground on the background I placed a reference image with this and when I tried the method of lowering the value of the A bar, the object became completely transparent.
    We could see objects that are translucent from the LEFT, RIGHT viewpoints, etc., which do not overlap with the background image.
    Is it possible to make an object translucent with a background image displayed?

    If you could give me some advice, I would appreciate it.

    • Toha トハ says:

      RUM, thank you for viewing the article and commenting~!

      As for your question, I tried it here, and sure enough, it looked weird when the background image overlapped with a semi-transparent object!
      So I've been trying to think of a way to make both the background image and the semi-transparent object properly visible.

      1) Select the added background image and view the image properties in the Property Editor.
      2)▽Check "Use Alpha" at the Empty
      3) Lower the value at the "Opacity" bar below it.

      (Click on image to enlarge)

      If the background image is also made translucent in this way, both the translucent object and the background image are now properly visible at the toha.
      Please give it a try! Please check it out!

  2. RUM says:

    Thanks for the reply!
    The explanation was very detailed and easy to understand and learn.
    I tried the method you showed me and both the object and the background are now displayed semi-transparent.
    This would allow me to do some modeling with the background as a reference!

  3. kay says:

    Thank you for the fine details.
    How to use wireframes in modeling. Is it posted anywhere?
    I want to model the human body, but I'm a beginner and I don't know how to do it. I'm also using the latest Blender 2.8.
    No one has detailed it yet.
    If you have time, if you could tell me how to make a human body (body, face, etc.)
    I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo helpful!
    Thank you for your cooperation.

  4. うまる says:

    Could you please post a link to a website or other site that Toha-san uses constantly to study 3D?

    • Toha トハ says:

      Thank you for your comment, Umaru~!

      Whenever Toha learns about 3DCG, he searches the Internet or looks for books whenever he feels like learning.
      Therefore, there is no particular site that I use all the time, but there are sites that I visit to learn new information or to view various works.

      Polycount
      ArtStation

      Both sites are in English, so I can't read much, but I'm kind of looking at them ^^^.
      The rest.3D person's TwitterI am grateful for the various information you are sending out on your website at
      This is about all I can think of~.

Toha
Toha

Please feel free to comment~!

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