Maya is set to use FWVN by default now I think. Support loops and FWVN give you different visual results. You're missing a loop or 2 in that image though which is probably what you're seeing.
If it were up to me we'd use some workflow with FWVN. But the main reason is that modelling and unwrapping with support loops is just much easier than using chamfers.
Oh ok. Well, it'd be a lot nicer to be able to just do this instead of high poly bakes. I was under the impression that it wouldn't be worth it due to the extra loops being added.
I decided to muck around with this as well (having first seen it used in AmsterdamHiltonHotel's Atchisson) and when reading this thread I figured bevels would be the clear winner. However after trying it I agree; loops give those fat bevels that just read better at distance as long as you're going for that look. Here's a…
This thread is great. Really helpful. Excuse me if this is basic but I get how FWVN are used on relatively hard edges to get a nice highlight but are they also used on softer edges too? For example in the screenshot below would the curved wall panels on the top right be created via FWVN or would they be support loops? I…
I outlined the flow of edge rings, I think if you extend the horizontal loop into that long vertical edge and adjust it's shape, you'll get much better shading. So basically, moar geo in this case. Hope this helps:
Thanks Joost, that's exactly what I needed :) One final question is what should the geometry/edge flow be like using this? The overall shading is great (dont mind the really dark parts down the bottom that's the cubemap horizon/grass) but I seem to get some artifacts where edge loops are.
Eh, particularly with pieces that have long and thin segments or parts of greatly varied scale you're often limited to the smallest bevel. You can only bevel so much before turning some parts into mush. Having said that, both techniques are totally worth using depending on the situation; but overall loops are more…
Thane - Yeah it was that place, but it was just a fan art I started making in the last year. Unfortunately I didn't work on the original one. But this was the first environment scene where I started applying this supportloops heavily. These images are showing where I used them (reds are hard edges and greens are edges with…