In this basic tutorial on modeling in Blender, we will see how to model the cap of a BIC pen using the Bridge Edge Loops operator.
Video Transcript
Hello everyone! In this basic tutorial on modeling in Blender, we will see how to model the cap of a BIC pen using the Bridge Edge Loops operator.
This object could be modeled using Box Modeling, but it's possible to achieve it with Bridge Edge Loops starting from a single circle.
The tutorial was created using Blender version 3.6.
First, I insert a Reference Image into the scene. You can take a screenshot of the video to use the same starting image.
Then, I add a Circle mesh to the scene, initially with 24 vertices, which will later increase through the use of the Subdivision Surface modifier.
Switching to Edit mode, I duplicate the circle and move it slightly, resizing it to obtain a larger circle.
I then activate Proportional Editing in Connected Sphere mode, so as not to affect the first circle.
I select the top vertex and move it away from the circle, dragging along with it a couple of side vertices to create the central profile. Once the operation is complete, I deactivate Proportional Editing.
Technically, I could already connect these two shapes with Bridge Edge Loops, but the profile becomes circular before reaching the smaller circle. Therefore, I duplicate the smaller circle, move it, and resize it slightly, obtaining an intermediate circle.
Now, I select the three circles and use the Bridge Edge Loops tool to connect them.
I switch to Smooth shading mode to examine the surface more closely.
I'm adding another loop of edges and manually moving a couple of vertices to provide a small bump in the connecting geometry between the two profiles, giving it a slight curve.
I now extrude three or five vertices upwards in the larger profile to create the clip.
The end part of the clip can be resized both horizontally and vertically to flatten it. Additionally, I can give it a pointed shape by manually dragging the few vertices that compose it.
I can then add thickness to the entire object using the Solidify modifier. To achieve the correct result with this modifier, I apply the Scale transformations to the model.
Next, I also add a Subdivision Surface modifier to the object to smooth it out a bit.
Where necessary, I add Edge Loops with CTRL R and dragging to create supporting edges.
We're not done yet, as there's a collar around the middle of the cap that I'll create using the Shrink/Fatten operator, but only after applying Solidify. Otherwise, I would end up with the same collar inside the cap.
I then apply Solidify, after which I insert a couple of edge loops near the collar to define the area I want to widen.
I select the ring of faces that makes up the collar and use the Shrink/Fatten operator to widen them.
To make the separation between the collar and the rest of the object more defined, you can choose to introduce additional supporting edges or use Mean Crease, thus avoiding a significant increase in the number of vertices of the model.
I can also use Mean Crease along the cap, along the edges I want to emphasize.
Once done, I examine the obtained object to see if there are any other adjustments to be made in Edit Mode.
The choice of the number of subdivisions for Subdivision Surface depends on how closely you want to frame the object; that being said, for this short tutorial, that's all! See you soon!