Hey there, recently been making a new model, gotten to the low-poly modelling, everything has been going kosher until I got to the smoothing. I've got a lot of shading issues going on, on a few of the elements, and I can't quite figure out why.
![gcLfqr7.png](http://i.imgur.com/gcLfqr7.png)
Looks pretty ugly, right? Thing is, I've tried going over as many tutorials and previous cases here on the forum, and what-not, but regarding the fixes recommended, no dice.
![piFjhhC.png](http://i.imgur.com/piFjhhC.png)
I've avoided 90deg angles for the areas shaded, I've kept a roughly smooth topology flow, and there's few elongated quads (and thus, triangles)
![d5anKQM.png](http://i.imgur.com/d5anKQM.png)
Here shows the different shading groups used in this. Removing some of the faces from the smoothing group, however, does nothing to stop the issue, and most of the faces are aligned perfectly along the z-axis
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Replies
Short story fix : add another edge loop on the flat side along the curve for the top and bottom. This will add an even shading transition between the flat and curve.
This. You could also add more segments to the curve under the grip so the angle the smoothing is trying to average is less extreme.
One more possibility it to put the entire side portion on its own smoothing group.
So, what's the theory behind this that means that edge loops fix the issues (any tutorials etc). and are there any possible workarounds that are less polycount-intensive (my model is currently well under my budget, but it would be handy for future reference)
You have two options, create the curve using geo or use a normal map baked from a high poly model to fake the curved edge.
Typically, with modern engines, you would bake from a high poly model, but if you can't, you just need to throw triangles at it until you get the smoothing and shape you want.
Compared to non-mapped
Interestingly, I've also gotten seam issues on hard edges between smoothing groups
I have read the 'Making Me Hard' thread on normal maps, following it's advice to try for 'B', and I am pretty sure that I haven't missed anything out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I cannot figure out for the life of me why everything looks so crap, and I'm desperate to have at least one, finished, quality 3d model.
Many thanks!