Shadow Issue (again :)) and Tuning Help?

For the shadow it looks like the hard edges need to split. Share the .package after that and someone can look into the tuning issue.

I am adding this for informational purposes (like in what NOT to do).


With the Wax Warmer, since I couldn't get the Edge Splitting (total user error, I am sure) to work, I then tried the Sub Divide Modifier, and that made it all wonky (cube edges basically disappeared) and the whole thing looked kind of beveled.

I then applied Remesh, which gave me this:

to which I figured 'cool. I can work with this'.

After decimating a little, since remeshing brought it up to about 5k polys, I got this:


I had to re-unwrap just the cube, do some minor touch up on the swatch, but I figured I was still good. In my game however, it looks like it lost a 9-round fight with The Hulk:




I tried flattening it too, and it still looks mostly the same. So, I learned my lesson and now know why others don't just use cubes for square parts. Lol.


As an added note, I think I need to review more instructional videos and tutorials regarding edge splitting because I don't think I'm doing it correctly. Basically, when I hit Apply, I don't think it does anything. The part of the mesh, or the mesh itself seems to stay the same / shows no change - at least that is what I have noticed the last few times I have tried using it.

Leniad

Yes, you may be right. I only worked on changing the placement of the object itself (slotting?), but I don't know how to make the change/changes needed for it to be functional.

I'm okay with it being a deco item I guess, but it would be sweeeeeet to get it to work.

From the .blend you shared, you need to go into edit mode, hover the square and press L to select it. Then ctrl+e and pick "edge split".

I would higly suggest reducing the amout of vertices when using circles or all your items will be high poly.

Remember to have your settings like this:



and i always suggest changing to "solid" (next to edit mode) to see things properly.

Thank you inabadromance !

Yes, you are right about my circles and I decimate them as much as possible without them becoming deformed. Should I search for another way to reduce vertex count? Let me know please as this would help tremendously!  [See Edit].

Also, thank you for the tips regarding my screen. I toggle A LOT between textured and wired, but will try solid. Thanks!

The hovering and L tip is WONDERFUL! I didn't know you could do this and it makes selecting a part so much easier than what I was doing, which was to select it from the UV Window.

As for the Edge Split, I normally pick Modifiers, Edge Split, and then hit Apply with the default angle, etc. selected. It doesn't seem to be doing anything when I do that, and just now I tried your method and again, nothing happened. Do you know why this may be?


Edit:  I Googled and just found this to reduce vertex count:
Select all vertices, hit X button and select Limited Dissolve from the menu. Then hit F6 button and adjust Maximum Angle to get desired result. Then to triangulate the mesh hit Ctrl + T shortcut.

It worked like a charm!!  Thank you for drawing my attention to the high count, as I would have not actively looked for a solution had you not said anything.  This is going to make a HUGE (pun intended ) difference.

Hi Inabadromance!

Yes, I normally enabled sync because I found that the easiest way of selecting parts especially once mapped - until now of course that you showed me better.

As for the Edge splitting, I tried exactly the way you described, by selecting the part of the mesh I wanted (in this case the cube), then hitting CTRL+E and selecting Edge Split. It did nothing. Normally, I select the part of the mesh I need, click Add Modifier, select Edge Split (I leave the defaults as-is, meaning Edge Angle and Sharp Edges both checked, and the Split Angle at 30 degrees), then I just click Apply. It doesn't change anything either.

I'm stumped.

Oh, and yes; thank you, thank you, thank you regarding the vertices.  I would normally add a mesh part (circle, torus ...) and decimate it, completely ignoring the vertices.  Now I want to go through all my objects and clear out the vertices but that would be such a huge task.  For now I will use this new knowledge for new things.  <3