Which one of these version is considered to have a better edge flow/topology for better shading

Support Modeling
1

Im currently stuck with an old laptop with outdated graphics and I cant see the shadind on my models very accurately. I wonder which of these versions has a more ideal topology in general and which one gives you better highlights for the edges. Ive atachedd the blend files below

Edge%20flow%20redirection
Edge flow redirection.png809×623 352 KB

Edge flow redirection.blend (700.8 KB)
Edge flow redirection.blend1 (700.9 KB)

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Ive went with the last one and added some more details. It seemed to have a more natural flow of the edges but my viewport quality isnt helping too much. Cant test with real materials as well for the same reasons mentioned above

Edge%20flow%20redirection%20final
Edge%20flow%20redirection%20final753×703 348 KB

3

Please bear in mind that overall I like what you’ve got going here, but this pole you have here appears to be causing a weird bevel shape. If this is going to be attached to a character and not larger than let’s say a dinner plate, nobody will notice.
From #3 in Edge flow redirection.blend

1
11290×846 108 KB
2
2816×628 374 KB

If you don’t mind tightening up those bottom corners (and you might, I like how it’s a gradual transition) you could try doing something like this
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Subsurf doesn’t play nicely with tris and poles.
Edit: another good illustration of pole-related weirdness
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Overall I agree the 3rd option was the best of the available. Will see if I can do better & keep gradual transition.

Edit: I tried to achieve a similar result with basically no holding edges, just variable mean crease, might not be enough control to get your desired result, but something to consider.
Edge flow redirection-2.blend (686.4 KB)

4

yeah, I dont know how that complex pole got away. You can get away with 5 edges poles but
6 is too much.
But you cant avoid them with supporting edges workflow. Im trying to get good with this traditional way of modeling cause I think thats the best way to learn topology and I think everybody should start with this before experimenting with creasing and with that Bevel shader trick.

Also I see you gradually decreased the creases value as you go down an edge loop and towards intersections. This resulted in not so defined hard edges but I suppose you did that to keep that bottom corner roundness right ? On curved surfaces you can get away with that ? meaning is the shading right if there are different creasing values for each of the edges of a loop ? are transitions smooth enough?

In general do you use the Vertex groups to manage your creases groups on more complex model. Is this working in a similar way like Max crease set editor ?