Lesson 20 of the Fundamentals of Mesh Modeling course

In this lesson, you’ll learn why edge loops and poles are so important when working with subdivision surface modeling in Blender.

We’ll explain what edge loops and poles are, how they influence edge flow, and why their placement has such a strong impact on smoothness, deformation, and overall model quality. You’ll also learn how to spot problem areas in topology and understand why certain layouts produce better results than others.

This lesson focuses on building intuition for subdivision topology so you can make intentional decisions instead of guessing or relying on trial and error.

This lesson is part of a larger CORE learning path on CG Cookie.

If you want to continue building your skills in a structured way, the next course in the series is Fundamentals of Sculpting. It’s available with a CG Cookie membership and includes guided exercises, project files, structured learning paths, and feedback from experienced artists.

→ Continue to Fundamentals of Sculpting here: https://b3d.cgcookie.com/mesh-fundamentals