This web page is devoted to the following differences in 3D Illustrators, Artists and Workflows Photo Real Rendering vs. Photorealistic Rendering Engineering vs. Concept 3D Industrial Design Rendering vs. 3D Gamer Rendering Pick to enlarge; Engineering data on the left - polygon data on the right Please pick on the 2 green spheres above; Look at the reflection of the carpet in both spheres You will notive the refection on of the carpet on the left shows the perfectly straignt lines of the carpet, compared to the sphere on the right. More explanation below in disco ball example; Bottom Images Shows Polygon Model Prior to Start Top Image is Engineering Model delivered to customer in Iges Poly Model on Left; Hybrid Engineered Model on Right Hybird Modeling Images Above; show hybrid modeling process The Polygon models tolerance is around 6 inches, I delvered a engineering model with .125 tolerance In order to get a concept or polygon model into manufacturing it will have to be rebuilt into engineering surfaces. In the hybrid process I build surfaces in engineering data to eliminate the need to rebuild later. I do use polygon models when the surfaces are not needed down stream, example, the two pilots At the end of the day it is more cost effective to design and render in engineering surfaces Pick on Image to see carpet reflections Pick on Image to see light reflections Disco Ball Images Above; Converting an engineering surface to polygons is a one way translation When you are shopping around for a modeler to work on your project and you have plans to repurpose the data ask for a small part in iges from your perspecitve modeler to import into your engineering package. If he cannot supply iges he is working with a polygon only program like blender. Step and Iges are engineering - FBX is a hybrid - OBJ and STL are polygon programs Full Size Veneer Textures Full Size Textures Increase Realism Cad data overlaid of real photograph Top Catia Engineering Model; Bottom Rough Polygon Model Top Image Ploy Model; Bottom Image Hi Quality Engineering Model Low end poly on the left - Hi end engineering data on the right