Adaptive Sculpting¶

Dynamic Topology¶

Reference

Mode:     Sculpt Mode
Panel:    Tool Shelf ‣ Tools ‣ Dyntopo
Hotkey:   Ctrl-D

Dynamic topology (aka dyntopo) is a dynamic tessellation sculpting method, adds and removes details on the fly, whereas regular sculpting only affects the shape of a mesh.

This makes it possible to sculpt complex shapes out of a simple mesh, rather than just adding details onto a modeled base mesh.

Dyntopo can be toggled with the checkbox in the header or with Ctrl-D. With dynamic topology active, most brushes will subdivide the mesh during the stroke.

Detail Type

Dyntopo uses three different detail methods to create dynamic detail to an object.

Relative Detail: This method uses a detail size based on the number of pixels, and in turn will create topology in that size. Zoom out big details, zoom in small fines details.
Constant Detail: To keep detail uniform across the entire object, Constant Detail can be used. The Detail is based on the percentage of a single BU.
Brush Detail: Giving more control over the topology, with this method you can create topology based on the brush size. You can increase and lower topology by simply resizing the brush itself. The detail size is based the size of the brush itself, where 100% will create topology the size of the brush ring itself.

Detail Size Shift-D

Each Detail Type’s detail is set here. Depending on the Detail Type being used this property will rather show as a pixel count (px), or percentage.

Sample Detail Size (pipette icon): With Constant Detail Size it is possible to sample the detail value of a certain mesh area by clicking the eyedropper icon next to the detail setting and then clicking on the area.

Detail Refine Method

When using Dynamic Topology, a certain method will be used to tell how topology is handled. Setting the option will determine which of the methods will be used when altering the topology.

Subdivide: Just like the subdivide tool, this method will only subdivide topology to match the detail given.
Collapse: When topology is too dense, and is smaller than the detail given, edges will be collapse to fit the detail size appropriately.
Subdivide Collapse: This method combines the two methods, subdividing edges smaller than the detail size, and collapsing topology.
Detail Flood Fill: When using Constant Detail mode, this option is made available, allowing you to fill the entire object with a uniform detail, based on the detail size.

Smooth Shading

Toggles whether mesh faces are smooth or flat shaded. In dynamic-topology mode all faces have the same type of shading.

Optimize

If sculpting begins to slow down while dynamic topology is enabled, use the Optimize button to recalculate the sculpt BVH.

Direction

Determines which direction the model will be symmetrized.

Symmetrize

Uses direction orientation to symmetrize. Since Dyntopo adds details dynamical may happen that the model goes asymmetric, so this a good tool for that.

Multi-Resolution Modifier¶

The Multiresolution Modifier is needed to sculpt. The modifier will subdivide the mesh. The more subdivision the more computing will be needed. With the Blender stack no-destructive data, multiresolution sculpting will help when you have a clean topology base mesh.

When sculpting with multiresolution we have the ability sculpt in different level of subdivision, this mean we can sculpt some details in subdivision level 1 and add more details in subdivision 2 and go back to subdivision 1 correct some mistakes. While this workflow is often used, Multiresolution Modifier has some limitations. You may end up with some mesh distortions. As an advice, add as more details as possible before adding more subdivisions. Clay brush, SculptDraw work better with multi-resolution sculpting to sculpt secondary forms.

Step up one multires level PageUp
Step down one multires level PageDown
Set multires level Ctrl-0 to Ctrl-5