Single Vert Modeling

[pwillard]

Here is something that might be helpful to new modelers with Blender.

I was working on the shape for a non-terminating box car end. You know, the kind that looks like squared boxes inset into the back.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 084127.jpg

You can create this shape using a single vert, adjusting it as you go... You only need to make a few and you can use the Array modifier to duplicate the rest of the shape.


Using a single "vertex" as a starting point for a shape instead of "manipulating" the default cube.

Step 1. Install the add-on "Extra Mesh Objects". (Its free and formerly a built-in add on)

Step 2. With this add-on enabled, when you select ADD-->MESH you will see a "single vert" option. This is what to use.

Step 3. With the starting point established you would then use EXTRUDE in the Z and Y axis to add new points, creating a line as you go to create the shape.

Shown here:
Screenshot 2025-01-02 084532.jpg Screenshot 2025-01-02 084609.jpg

From here, you would then EXTRUDE in the X direction to get the Body width.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 084906.jpg

and then finally use the Solidify modifier to give it thickness (if you need to) followed by an Array Modifier in the Z axis.

Quick and easy...

Screenshot 2025-01-02 085216.jpg
Final result... Not so bad.

NonTerm-End.jpg

For the curious... the tall box outline near the end is the Boolean cutter that makes room for the end-shape in the main body shape. The 3 little markers below the car are the placement points for the bogie and the bogie axle locations.

[pwillard]

A follow up task to this is to use Scott's BUTT OBJECTS add-on to place the corrugation up against the car body.

Here is how I did it.

1. In EDIT mode, highlight the end face that the non-terminating end will replace.
2. Use SHIFT-S menu and select "Cursor to Selected"
3. Optional: Delete the selected Face.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 102413.jpg

4. Go back to OBJECT mode. Use the BUTT OBJECTS add on... and enable the "USE 3D CURSOR" option and chose "Y" axis.

Note: With BUTT OBJECTS, both objects need to be selected.

5. Done. At this point only some minor cleanup is needed where the two objects meet.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 102633.jpg

[scottb613]

Hi Pete,

Nice work… I love Blender more and more every day - as I’m always learning something new.


One additional feature I added to my tool - which I find essential - is the ability to shift origins by selection on multiple objects in edit mode. Got tired of making a selection - move 3D Cursor - go back to Object Mode - Shift Origin to 3D Cursor - go back to Edit Mode and repeat on next desired object. Now - just make a selection of vertices, edges, or faces in Edit Mode - hit the Shift Origin Button on my addon menu - repeat for and many objects as desired without using the 3D Cursor or leaving Edit Mode.

It’s in the update from Blender.

Regards,
Scott

[pwillard]

Thanks, I haven't updated it yet. It's good to know.

To everyone else, I believe that Scott and I are now committed to making tutorials and reference documents to get people started should they decide to adopt Blender for creating content. I'm really clueless about how this sort of thing is received, as our community tends to be really quiet about feedback, but that's nothing new. It's been like that since the early 2000s, but it doesn't mean that tidbits of info won't be shared.

Yeah, I miss Steam4Me as well... :-(

[eric]

I do miss the line function in Sketchup, which essentially does the same end result as the repeated single vertex. Shifting from using the 3D mouse to doing keyboard entry takes some getting used to.

It's almost faster to write and run a script to create the points if you have a repeating pattern like the boxcar ends or fluting for a passenger car. Use Excel or something else to create the offset constants, and you're off to the races.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

[pwillard]

Well, yeah, most things in Blender are based on keystrokes.

Repetitive tasks are often better suited for scripting, which is why I enjoy scripting so much.

The interesting part about Blender is that there are usually several ways to achieve the same result. The challenge lies in discovering which method you will remember best.

While we are talking about "adjusting" to some things that differ from SKETCHUP, I can recommend the free "extension" in version Blender 4.x called ND.

image.png

HOW TO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S25W8KaX5D8&list=PLZmp_NXXf0kDbUfuukIPoQQh3SVECBf2r

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

When first starting out - learning the required keystrokes is certainly a hinderance.

When I started learning Blender - I just kept a scratchpad on the side and updated new keystrokes that I thought were essential in a running log.

Once you become familiar - I find keystrokes are actually faster than any other method to accomplish a task - trying to do the same via menus or toolbars would slow you down. After you do it for a bit - the routine keystrokes no longer require active thought.

Regards,
Scott

[pwillard]

I rarely work without a "notebook" now. I need to remember how I do things. (Hence, I created the Pseudo-Guidebook I have placed online.

For the curious... I took my example above a few steps further... I can't help myself. (Yes, I know Ted Curphey did a model similar to this one)