Why Poles are Bad! | Topology Basics

In this video, I’m going to talk about what poles are, why they are bad, and how to work around them when subdivision modeling.
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[@Leo-cu8mv]

As a german, i agree

[@Bax365]

💀💀💀

[@xKeray]

as a Pole this comment caught me off guard, just like blitzkrieg

[@richardheadrick7863]

THANK YOU! I've still new to blender/3d modeling and I for the life of me cannot find any really good videos on topology! thank you once again, you have earned a subscriber.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

I'm glad you found it useful. I've got more videos on the topic coming soon. Thanks for subbing, it means a lot!

[@QCode11]

thank you for this simple and very helpful explanation!!

[@NathanWAdams]

Thank you for sharing this video! I’ve never heard or seen this approach to 3D modeling, and I really appreciate the explanation and methods of demonstrating why this is essential to modeling.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

Thanks Nathan! I've put together a playlist on SubD modeling techniques. You might find it helpful. kzbin.info/aero/PL80tdMsuUhsgGD60dorxBBoU7zOYdk4Yz&si=VCChSs3t5VDltyTV

[@wojciechw7239]

Polish citizen: Am i joke to you ? 😝

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

Oh snap! XD It never occurred to me when I came up with that title.

[@wojciechw7239]

@@Art-of-Akrosh don't worry, it's only a joke. Have a nice day and good tips from video for begginers like me :-D

[@bokobrody156]

Im bored, so I wrote "Why Poles" in youtube search to see what people think about my country. I wasnt surprised when I saw this title XD

[@the-birbo]

I always think it's kind of funny when professionals say defamation instead of deformation. Like you're defaming the model rather than deforming.

[@HiKamMudriku]

thank you, that pole artefac always drive me crazy

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

Glad it helped!

[@the-birbo]

I thought poles have five or more converging edges.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

Oops, I some how missed this comment. There are different types of poles. This video aims to addresses the problem with 6 or more poles (which is generally considered bad practice). The are some specific cases where 6 spoked poles can be handy but you don't want to accidentally have them hanging around in your models. I've got a few new videos discussing other types of poles and some strategies to circumnavigate the issues they pose.

[@Vidyut_Gore]

Makes sense in the other models and I came here to figure out retopology, but the wonky bent metal plate looks better for a scene. Less "fresh out of animator's desk", more real. Mabye real people have wonky poles...

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

You can get away with poles if you know how to deal with them. A poorly positioned pole on the other hand will result in inaccurate shading, reflections and weird artifacts. Objects with "character" (like the bent metal plate example) will most definitely look better in a scene. You can achieve that without having to compromise the topology of the object.

[@soirema]

Amazing content, thank you a lot

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

You're most welcome and thank you for subscribing.

[@jonathaningram8157]

a pole isnt necessary 6 edges connected. You also have weird subdiv issue with 3 and 5.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

That is correct. However, 3 and 5 spoked poles are inevitable when it comes to more complex objects. On the other hand poles with 6+ connecting edges are completely avoidable and is consider bad practice.

[@daton3630]

@@Art-of-Akrosh 6 poles is the equivalent of being on drugs

[@ianmcglasham]

Recently I have been considering 6 spoked poles as a useful thing! I'm not getting much support for the idea yet. What do you think? I think they can be used effectively on internal corners surrounded by extrusions and insets on all sides.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

@@ianmcglasham I agree, there are instances where the 6 spoked pole is useful in achieving certain shapes. I'll put together a video response and link it in this thread.

[@uzdefrederic1055]

nice video thank you very much 🙂

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

Most welcome 😊

[@Woogoo336]

How do you end up with some of the polygon edges being curved at 1:23 I've seen that sort of thing before but no idea why it's like that.

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

The edges are behaving in that manner because of the massive pole in the middle of the cap.

[@josephvanwyk2088]

So, you've addressed the problem - and offer zero guidance to fix / remove poles. Other than to "shift" it out of sight. "Great video man".

[@amayvki]

is poles ok when modelling human face?, because it seems inevitable ..

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

When modeling anything that's highly complex you will end up with poles. The key is to know how and where to shift/relocate them when they are encountered.

[@jackkraken3888]

"I have 2 similar objects here" My brain:"Oh look booba!" [activates subdivision surface modifier] My brain:"Look booba with nipple!"

[@Art-of-Akrosh]

LOL! I hope that wasn't your only take away from this video. XD

[@jackkraken3888]

@@Art-of-Akrosh Nah, I was just kidding. It was actually quite informative.

[@HappyBabushka]

alternate history timeline if Hitler made it through 3D art school. Good video

[@chrisdawson1776]

The title made me this was some radical anti-Polish content.