Blender | Sculpting Notes

Preparation

1. In the modifier panel, set subdivision to 4.
2. Add a cast modifier with sphere shape to round off the corners.
3. Open the shading tab (top right) and switch Lighting to matcap for even shading.

Move to Sculpt Mode with control + tab and moving down.
Then enable X in the mirror settings at the top right before starting.

In Sculpt Mode, you can zoom the brush menu’s display area in and out to view the full list of brushes.

Changing Brush Size

F + move, then click to confirm.
Outer ring: brush radius
Inner ring: brush strength (Strength, top left)

You can change the strength curve to any curve you like from Falloff.

Grab

Shortcut: G
Stretches an area
For balance adjustments
Icon: looks like stretched yellow cream

Remesh

Shortcut: R
Moving right makes it finer, moving left makes it coarser.
I think it’s better to keep it above 0.01 (so it doesn’t crash).
Once you’ve decided the size, clicking applies it to Remesh‘s voxel size.

You can run Remesh with command + R.
▼ Here’s what it looks like ▼

Smooth

Shortcut: S
Even while using another brush, you can use the smooth function by holding shift.

▼ Here’s what it looks like (using smooth while grabbing) ▼

Clay Strips

Shortcut: C
Icon: looks like blue lips with a patch

Used for adding volume, or for carving away material while holding command.

Inflate

Shortcut: I
For when you want to puff out a specific point in a circular way
Icon: looks like a blue blister

Crease

Shortcut: Shift + C
Creates an edge
Shrink the radius and set the strength to max via shift + a.
Icon: looks like a blue clam shell

Draw

Shortcut: V
For when you want to draw a line

Mask

Shortcut: shift + space + 8
Icon: black and white, with a brush stroke

Seems like it’s often used with Falloff set to constant?
A brings up a list of options for handling the mask.

Mesh Filter

Used when you want to add bumps and dents on top of a mask, etc.

▼ Before ▼

▼ After ▼

Simplify

A brush for simplifying
Icon: looks like a wire peeking out inside a circle
Increases the subdivision count

▼ Before ▼

▼ After ▼

Dynamic Topology

Use this when you want to subdivide a specific area locally.