Topology only matters where things bend.

Most modelling advice treats clean topology like a religion, but it really isn't. Sometimes it IS really important, and other times not.

A background prop that never moves can be a mess of n-gons and nobody will ever know, but a character without good topology becomes unworkable.

A good understanding of topology is actually quite rare, and will make a difference if you're looking for a job, making your own models, or wondering why your AI built models can't move.

This week’s cheat sheet is about getting you the fundamental building blocks of understanding good topology

What's Inside

• Quads, tris, and n-gons – what each one is, and when an n-gon is actually fine to use.
• Edge flow and deformation – an interactive elbow bend showing good edge flow holding its shape versus bad edge flow collapsing.
• Poles – what they are, and the point where a high-valence pole becomes unmanageable.
• Reinforcement edges – a slider showing how proximity to a corner controls its sharpness.
• Non-manifold geometry – what it is and why it breaks things downstream.