Sketch-based modeling

<h2 id="purpose">Purpose</h2>
<p>Many computer users think that traditional 3D modeling programs such as <a href="/facts/Blender_(software)/yzuvB0fL">Blender</a> or <a href="/facts/Maya_(software)/0WC3BKPd">Maya</a> have a high <a href="/facts/Learning_curve/EQvMC9lK">learning curve</a>.  Novice users often have difficulty creating models in traditional modeling programs without first completing a lengthy series of tutorials.  Sketch-based modeling tools aim to solve this problem by creating a <a href="/facts/User_interface/e9sPEWVD">User interface</a> which is similar to <a href="/facts/Drawing/DA7GfHNW">drawing</a>, which most users are familiar with.
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<h3>Uses</h3>
<p>Sketch-based modeling is primarily designed for use by persons with artistic ability, but no experience with 3D modeling programs. However, sketch-based modeling is also used for other applications.  One popular application is rapid modeling of low-detail objects for use in <a href="/facts/Prototyping/q0yPLYdb">prototyping</a> and <a href="/facts/Design/kR4GNeja">design</a> work.
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<h2 id="operation">Operation</h2>
<p>There are two main types of sketch-based modeling.  In the first, the user draws a shape in the workspace using a <a href="/facts/Mouse_(computing)/fJpa1tUE">mouse</a> or a <a href="/facts/Graphics_tablet/tydCnPqP">tablet</a>.  The system then interprets this shape as a 3D object.  Users can then alter the object by cutting off or adding sections.  The process of adding sections to a model is generally referred to as overdrawing.  The user is never required to interact directly with the <a href="/facts/Vertex_(geometry)/ID3cea9z">vertices</a> or <a href="/facts/Nurbs/MA0NjmeC">Nurbs</a> control points.
</p><p>In the second type of sketch-based modeling, the user <a href="/facts/Drawing/DA7GfHNW">draws</a> one or more images on paper, then <a href="/facts/Image_scanner/7DEJFTwx">scans</a> in the images.  The system then automatically converts the sketches to a 3D model.
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<h2 id="research">Research</h2>
<p>A great deal of research is currently being done on sketch-based modeling.  A number of papers on this topic are presented each year at the <a href="/facts/ACM_SIGGRAPH/dawfoucY">ACM SIGGRAPH</a> conference.  The European graphics Association <a href="/facts/Eurographics/emwKe6JF">Eurographics</a> sponsored four special conferences on sketch-based modeling: 
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<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060509235912/http://www.eg.org/sbm/2004">Grenoble 2004</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061207104822/http://www.eg.org/sbm/2005">Dublin 2005</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071223165311/http://www.eg.org/sbm/2006">Vienna 2006</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071223165317/http://www.eg.org/sbm/2007">Riverside 2007</a></li></ul>
<p>Since 2007, <a href="/facts/Eurographics/emwKe6JF">Eurographics</a> and <a href="/facts/ACM_SIGGRAPH/dawfoucY">ACM SIGGRAPH</a> have co-sponsored the Sketch-Based Interfaces and Modeling Symposium which in 2011 became a part of the <a href="https://expressive.graphics">Expressive Graphics Symposium</a>
</p><p>The Eurographics/SIGGRAPH Joint Symposium on Sketch-Based Interfaces and Modeling was held on
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~karan/sbim/">Annecy 2008</a></li>
<li><a href="http://sbim09.cse.wustl.edu/">New Orleans 2009</a></li>
<li><a href="https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1923363">Jointly with NPAR at Annecy 2010</a></li>
<li><a href="http://richardt.name/archive/cae-sbim-npar-2011/SBIM/Home">at Vancouver together with NPAR and Computational Aesthetics 2011</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Digital_sculpting/Kt8Dvjyv">Digital sculpting</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Sketch_recognition/6PlWdpFt">Sketch recognition</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781848828117">Sketch-Based Interfaces and Modeling</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0097849308001295">Sketch-Based Modeling: A Survey</a></li></ul>

Sketch-based modeling open-in-new

Sketch-based modeling