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TLDR

How to add scales to an egg in Blender? They need to be correctly around the egg and change size depending on where on the egg they are (largest scales around the fat part of the egg and smallest on the top).

Context

I am trying to learn blender for 3d printing, and I am having trouble figuring out how to add scales to an egg so that they wrap around the egg and change size depending on the position on the egg (largest scales on the widest part of the egg and smallest on the top of the egg).

I know how to model scales and how to group them. I tried this YouTube video about using point projection with geometry nodes

Blender 3.3: Point Projection for Making Scales, Petals, Sequins, and the Like - YouTube

But I am not able to correctly position the points of the scales (they need to point up and bend somewhat with the shape of the egg) and they also need to change size depending on where on the egg they are as described above.

I am guessing that using geometry nodes is the best way forward, but being fairly new to blender and 3d modeling, it’s not easy to figure out.

This is an example of what I would like to achieve in the end

dragon egg

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  • $\begingroup$ Can you show your best result? Did you try the Tissue add-on? $\endgroup$
    – Carlo
    Feb 26 at 11:11

1 Answer 1

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If you feel comfortable with sculpting you could use this method explained by blender 52. You need to open the Symmetry panel and choose a number of Radial Z repetition (keep X symmetry selected if needed). You could also use a b&w texture as pattern (see the Blender Secrets tuto here):

enter image description here

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Or create the pattern, mirror and array it:

enter image description here

Use the Simple Deform modifier (Bend mode, 360° on Z) to make it circular:

enter image description here

Duplicate to keep a non-destructive version, edit with the Proportional Editing activated:

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ In combination with the upcoming VDM brushes, sculpting something like this would take just a minute or two. Great answer. $\endgroup$
    – Carlo
    Feb 26 at 11:39
  • $\begingroup$ Oh ok I haven't heard about these brushes $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Feb 26 at 11:40
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    $\begingroup$ I think they'll be introduced in the next release (3.5), you can try them in the beta but here you can see the Z-Brush equivalent tool: youtube.com/watch?v=r4zg_95mbEI $\endgroup$
    – Carlo
    Feb 26 at 11:46
  • $\begingroup$ wow that's impressive, thanks $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Feb 26 at 12:09

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