How you SHOULD be modeling in Blender...

Clearly: Josh Gambrell's hard-surface design is great and really unique. But as someone who works with Blender every day in the industry, I can say: No - this is not how you should model. Solely in Blender exclusive projects. But when working with other programs or a team, it is essential to master subdivision modelling. Boolean operations and similar tools are only small parts in a workflow.

I love how you emphasize chamfers and bevels on a piece like this. It achieves not only the artistic goals you have, but it makes an engineer like me happy because machining processes IRL very rarely leave absolute hard corners unless there is a Very Good Reason [tm] for them (such as a gage block). (In fact, a common directive on mechanical drawings is "Break all sharp edges.") Hard corners in some metals can be dangerous to handle without gloves. A hard outside corner will only mate against its mirror unless there is absolutely no dust, lubricant, etc. between the parts, so assembly is less tolerant -- not a good thing if the parts need to be field-replaced. A hard corner will also be easily marred by even minor impacts, again a problem for field-installed parts. "The difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference." Your use of bevels and chamfers makes your work more plausible to reality. 👍

Great approach! Getting into your complete beginner guide for modeling in Blender. I've used Blender for 3 years, but actually stuck to do most of my modeling in Rhino and reverse engineer rendering in Blender. Thanks for such key content!

This is just fantastic, point-blank-period. There is so much information then you would literally ever find in tons of tutorials combined. Cheers.

Your skill in blender is not the only thing that is evolving. The way you explain the reasoning behind your actions is both relaxing and intuitive. Great vid.

Thanks for the matcap setup at the beginning and courses offered on here and blenderbros, now I am on the right track!

“Listen to the commentary” That’s actually good advice in general, whether hard surface or sculpting. Getting stuck on the keystrokes and the specifics get lost, but sometimes just watching the video you get the whole idea before you’re struggling and stumbling! Thanks as always for your help! Probably the best hard surface guy in Blender right now!

Great concept modelling, thank you! 3D is not only about ruthless object referencing and copying. The initial, creative stage is a must for anyone who strives to be a creator and not just a copycat.

Nice one. Language I often use for this is 'detail hierarchy.' love getting down into the Nitty gritty of everything you're talking about!

excellent as always, thank you Josh

To the point and clear instructions! Nice form. The render background is very interesting too! Would love to know how it's done.

Wow I’m glad I was recommended this vid, subscribed man

I could watch you model all day long man, keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!!

Great video ! I really should get back into Blender

hey man, great video. I'm noticing with my matcap setup that I'm getting some weird diagonal lines with the shading, that changes as I zoom in and out. I noticed changing the valley, and tweaking the extra setting for distance in the cogwheel affects it. do you have recommended settings to increase the shading quality/consistency? (ie samples, distance, attenuation)

Josh is the Bob Ross of the 3D world!

what about clean topology?

Very nice shapes to practice, many pistols have these shapes.

I swear, when I see shapes with cavity enabled, I feel this urge to just bite into them, they look so good

As a hobbyist this sort of intuitive hard modeling approach is simple and highly effective. However I have to agree with some of the comments that it doesn't feel right the way to go how if you wanted a career in it.