Maya shadows soft edges problem

HomeGrownHeroz

I'm sure this is a common error but I cant seem to solve this lighting issue once I smooth the mesh. (It's a boot with a strap at the top) I know its obviously to do with the flow of the geometry but I cant seem to get it to smooth nicely. Any suggestions?



Cheers

BARDLER

What are trying to achieve? Soften edges doesn't automatically give you a smooth looking mesh. When you smooth your edges it is basically averaging the angles of the faces together. When you have sharp angles, like you do, it creates those hard gradients.

Cibo

Dont smooth the mesh in one single smoothing group it only works for sphere like objects. Smooth the whole object and select the edges with a very strong angle and make hard edges.

Bartalon

Generally, while modelling, I harden any edge that's over 45 degrees from the next face, otherwise it starts looking weird.

If you for some reason need smooth shading everywhere, you might have to start beveling some edges/adding support edge loops.