How do you NOT use Edge Split Modifier? (Screenshot)

Support Modeling
1

Hi, background:

For a 3-party-game-workflow I am trying to avoid using the oterwise extremely effective ‘Edge Split’ modifier, but instead use the possibly more industry standard ‘Max & Maya Smoothing groups’ (note they are done by setting Smoothing to Edge in the Blender FBX exporter under Geometrics :wink:

Issue: Whereas I can quickly set everything to smooth, then apply the Edge Split modifier:

2016-03-14 13_11_05.png954×626 135 KB

and thereby get round = round / hard = hard in no time, then using this method, I just cannot get the workflow right…:

Set all to smooth
Select hard edges
Set those edges to ‘Sharp’

2016-03-14 13_11_38.png955×631 173 KB

  • Then I’d THINK it should be the same fine looking shading as using the Edge Split modifier… but it is not:

2016-03-14 13_11_56.png954×626 157 KB

So… How would you then get the same visual result as when using the Edge Split modifier, but without splitting you mesh into pieces so your Max & Maya co-workers makes fun with you and say that things are so complex with Blender? :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Cheers!

2

Here’s my original (test) file, thanks.
MakeSharpSharp.zip (96.6 KB)

3

In your supplied blend file you don’t have the 'auto smoot’h option enabled
https://www.blender.org/manual/modeling/meshes/smoothing.html#auto-smooth

4

OMFG! Had it off because I was trying to make things work, somehow I have pulled my own leg, thank you so very much Richard!

5

One way of not using edge split is to activate the auto-smoothing in the geometry tab of the model and set it to a lower value. Coming from Lightwave, I was used to doing this under ‘smooth surface’ in LW. Normally, depending on the object, i set it to either 60 or 30 degrees. However, this only works per object, (In LW you could set it per material).

Edit: Oops - beaten to the punch. :slight_smile:

6

To set sharp edge around a material, select the material, in edit mode material settings select the faces with that material, use the ‘Select Boundary Loop’ option and mark edges sharp. Use Auto Smooth with angle set to 180 degrees to just use those marked edges instead of the smooth angle