What is hard surface?

Hard Surface is a 3D modeling technique used to create inanimate objects with smooth static surfaces in 3D space. It is widely used in sci-fi video games and shooters to create weapons, robots, armor, vehicles and structures.

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Read on and we will tell you where and how to use one of the most important techniques in 3D modeling.

What is a hard surface?

A hard surface is actually any hard object that often has sharp corners and does not lend itself to simple deformation. Such models are separated into a separate group and special pipelines are used to create them.

Where, how and why hard surfaces are used

First and foremost, video game creation. Hard surface modeling is one of the key skills of a 3D artist working on projects for gamers. He creates props such as characters, weapons, transportation, etc.

But his tasks do not end there. He also works on storyboarding and adding textured shadows for visual effects.

There's more. Second, hard surfaces are often used in the creation of movie series. Character artists in movies create three-dimensional creatures or objects that are then integrated.

Finally, third, the hard surface method is used in the creation of animation. Objects created by this method can be completely static, or only partially moving. These types of animations can include the rotation of gears, the process of opening the cabin, and so on.

What tools are used to create a hard surface?

Well, there are many. And you probably know them all. For example, Maya and 3ds Max are the two most commonly used programs. Their capabilities are roughly comparable.

And of course ZBrush. This is a sculpting package that dominates both for creating hard surfaces in games and movies. By the way, we at hub also have content for ZBrush. We are talking about various add-ons and custom brushes.

But that's not all. Let us not forget Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, Susbtance Painter and even Houdini.

How is hard surface different from organic surface?

Organic surface is mainly about sculpting animated beings: humans, monsters, animals. And various natural forms.

Plants, for example.

Hard surface is about creating buildings, items, objects, and weapons, as mentioned above. Strictly speaking, anything that is manually created in any way is Hard Surface.

But that is not the only difference between the two. Also in the community of 3D content creators there is a habit to divide organic from hard by the fact that under the first falls everything that moves. Consequently, the second is everything that doesn't move.

In any case, the main technical difference between them is the approach to working with meshes.