Box modeling is a 3D modeling method used in computer graphics and animation to generate complex 3D objects by beginning with basic geometric forms like cubes or boxes and slowly refining and adding depth to the model.

You can perform box modeling using various available softwares, but the one we are going to use in this article is SelfCAD. SelfCAD is user-friendly 3D modeling program that runs both online as well as on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It provides a number of capabilities including box modeling.

Creating a Goldfish using Box modeling techniques in SelfCAD

In this section we are looking at how to create a Goldfish in SelfCAD. SelfCAD is the most ideal because it has a user friendly interface, and it is suitable for both beginners and 3D artists. Additionally, it is all in one solution, whereby it has comprehensive set of tools for 3D modeling, sculpting, and slicing for 3D printing. It combines various features into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple software applications.

Let us dive into this step by step process of creating an organic shape of a goldfish using Box modeling techniques in SelfCAD.

Start with the basic cylinder

To start with the basic cylinder, go to the 3D Shapes, and select Cylinder. Then adjust the parameters as shown below:

Resize it to give it a different height, a different radius for top and bottom, so it gets at some angle. That is in this case, we are using a Top Radius of 35, set height to 20, vertical segment to 8 and Rotation X to 90.

The object will have less edges and then rotated as shown below:

Start creating segments

We are creating segments using the Extrusion operation, to extrude parts.

To do this, on the Modify category on the toolbar, select Extrusion. Set Extrusion amount to 42. Then click on the Advanced settings to add option. In the operations set Y to -4. Click add option to add a macro step, this time set it to Scale and set X to 10 and Y to 10 then click apply:

After adding the segmements, this is how it will look like:

This operation builds segments that are complete, like quads and a loop around. This ensures the model has the same structure.

The main concept here in creating the goldfish, is adding segments and then use basic transformations to move around to a scale. These basic transformations role here is played by the Advanced settings.

In this case, it's adjusting the position which is Move, and then add Scale as well as an option for scale setting the Move and Scale. In this case we have changed the parameters, that is, setting the Extrusion amount to 20, then in the advanced settings position, set Y to -2. Add option > Scale and set X to -4 and Y to -4 as well.

Then this basically applies the value. Once we apply, we apply that extrusion.

Extrusions

Instead of closing the tool, you can actually repeat multiple extrusions then click Apply.

And then we repeat itself, changing the amount of extrusion as shown below:

Setting the extrusion amount to 15 and changing the advanced settings as shown below:

Setting the extrusion amount to 10 and adjusting the advanced settings as shown:

Then finalize it:

As you can see, we start building out the object by just using basic extrusion, which we set on top, and then below in the advanced settings, we set the position and the scale.

Using the Inset tool

Inset tool works like a sideways extrusion. For example, it adds a few inner faces.

Let us apply it in this first shown end:

In the Modify category in the toolbar, select the Inset tool and set the amount to 1.5 then click apply:

Repeat again and use the Inset amount to 0.1 then apply. On the advanced settings, set parameters. In the advanced settings you can add more steps and options as we did above. Set operations position Y to -2 and Z to -10. Add option > Scale and set Y to -4.

Finalize and this is how it will look like:

Creating the tail

The process is basically going to be repeating the same extrusion operation. Select the back side region of the model, and in the Modify category select the Extrusion. Set the amount to 15. Then click on the advanced settings. Set the default operation Y to 5. Add option and select Scale (X to -30 and Y to -20).

It's scaled in a way that it skews it scaled a little bit more one side than the other.

Finalize and this is what you get:

Next step add another segment.

Set the Extrusion amount to 25. Set operation position Y at 2, add option> Scale and set X to -8 and Y to 30 then apply.

After finalizing, the results will look like this:

We are done with the basic flow which was basically working with faces and stretching.

The next step we start working with just a partial face, to develop the tail.

Select just a few faces that have a complete polygon. Then we're going to adjust it. To select the parts, you can use the marquee selection as shown below:

Go to the Modify category in the toolbar and choose the Extrusion tool. Set the extrusion amount to 15. In the advanced settings, select add options. In the default position set Y to 20, set Scale option Y to be 12.

Then finalizing, you get:

Then next step is to select just a few vertices.

Activate the vertex selection mode:

This automatically will select all of the vertices that is included in the previous face selection or polygon selection. Deselect it by holding the CTRL key while using marquee selection, which will act as a Deselection.

Then move and scale the remaining two selected vertices using the Move tool and the Scale tool in the toolbar, and position them to give the basic shape.

The next step, reselect the faces again as shown:

Next step is to edit the selected part by extrusion to transform it to form the basic shape.

On the Modify category select Extrusion and set the extrusion amount to 20. On the advanced settings set operation >position Y to 4, and then click add option and select Scale and set Y to -12 then click apply to apply extrusion.

Repeat the process again by changing the parameters. Set the extrusion amount to 25, and this time set the Scale in the advanced settings Y to be -22 and then finalize:

There you go:

Note that we originally had one polygon based on the original structure that we had; eight segments in the cylinder. Now we are having two complete separate segments, each one is split off completely, and we are done remodeling one part of it and scaling it and then we can do the same thing on the bottom part, shown below:

To model the same thing at the bottom, we're going to do exactly the same thing we just did on top. The same procedure we followed.

First we are creating the basic shape using segments. Use marquee selection to select and deselect the faces the same way we did on top part.

Then follow the same procedure of selecting the Modify category in the toolbar and choose Extrusion tool. Set extrusion amount to 20. Click the advanced settings and in the operation> position set Y as -14. Click add option to add a segment of Scale, and set Y to 6 and then finalize the extrusion.

This is how it will look like:

Then next step is to select just a few vertices.

Activate the vertex selection mode:

Deselect it by holding the CTRL key while using marquee selection, which will act as a Deselection.

Then move and scale the remaining two selected vertices using the Move tool and the Scale tool in the toolbar, and position them to give the basic shape.

Use Move tool in the toolbar to move the selected part, by setting Y to 30:

Scale using the Scale tool in the toolbar and set X to be 10:

Then activate the polygon selection. Click on the region we are working on to select it. Then in the Modify category in the toolbar, select Extrusion tool. Set the amount to 15. Click on the advanced settings, set position Y to -2. Add option and select Scale and set Y to -6 then apply the extrusion.

Continue the process using the following parameters:

Extrusion amount to be 30:

Finalize the extrusion and this is how it will look like:

Edit Details

In this section we are looking at how we can come up with the fins. In the previous process we have been working everything with the original face structure we had, by building segments sideways on both sides of it.

To build the fins, we need to add the side face. However, we only have these big faces. That is where Edit Details technic comes in. This involves adding localized incisions.

To do this, in the Modify category in the toolbar, select Edit Details tool:

Activate the Mirror and also activate the Automatic Loop Finding. Then on the object, drag the green line top the yellow lines to create and add the edge loops. This applies to both sides, top and bottom of the object.

Activate the Face Selection and select the faces as shown by the yellow color below:

Then in the tololbar in the Modify category, select Extrusion tool.

Set the Extrusion amount to 25. Then click on the advanced settings and in this section we will be adding more settings apart from the Scale as follows:

Position: X to 4 and Y to -8

Scale: X to -4 and Y to -16

Rotate: Z to 40

Extrusion: Amount to 5

Position: Y to -2

Then finalize the extrusion.

Then using marquee selection, select the face highlighted by the red arow:

In the toolbar in Modify category select the Extrusion tool and set the amount to 10. In the advanced settings, set position X to -2, and Scale Y to 5 then click apply.

Then continue adding details to the object.

In the toolbar, choose the Modify category and select the Edit details option. Activate the Mirror option and also the Automatic Loop Selection. Then click and drag the green line to the yellow to create the loop:

Then activate the vertex selection and use to select the vertices as shown below and use it to select the face a shown to create the shape of an eye;

Then in the Modify category select the Inset tool. Then click apply to execute the Inset operation.

The next step, set the Inset Amount to 0.1 then apply.

Remember this Inset operation has only been done on one side of the model.

Instead of following the same procedure, there is an alternative.

Activate the Cube Selection option:

Set the parameters to percentage, set Right to 50.6 and then click finalize:

Then in the toolbar, in the Utilities select the Split option.

After splitting, click the slitted right side and Isolate:

We have remained with a perfect geometry.

Next, on the Utilities category, select the Mirror option. Set the Create copy to true.

Set direction to Right:

Then click Finalize and the object is perfectly aligned:

The next step, select all the meshes, and on the Utilities category select the Combine option. Use the Merge tool and then finalize:

Then finalize it.

Select the model again, and in the Modify category choose the Round Object option.

Set the Smoothness to 2.

Then finalize. Activate the Solid frame:

Activate the Smooth frame:

Finally the Goldfish is ready:

This is perfectly smooth, and still just about 6000 faces which compared to making this with other types of modeling, you may end up having 100,000 faces something like that.

In conclusion, becoming an expert in box modeling techniques enables aspiring artists to realize their artistic visions and provides access to the world of 3D artistry. Using box modeling, we have looked at the step-by-step procedure for building a 3D model, starting with a straightforward primitive shape and developing it into a complex and detailed object.

As you begin your 3D modeling journey, keep in mind that practice is crucial to improving your abilities. Explore the limitless possibilities that box modeling has to offer by experimenting with different shapes, tools, and techniques. The authenticity and realism of your models will also be enhanced by using real-world examples as inspiration and by paying attention to the natural forms around you.

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