Hello everyone,

I'm a long time 3d hobbiest, with experience with many different platforms but I am fairly new to Blender. Every modeling tutorial I've read for Blender seems to have the user start with a geometric primative and then modify it. Does Blender allow one to build something from the ground up as in 3d face by 3d face. In the other programs I've used I'm use to drawing line outlines or 3d faces and then putting them together. But Blender seems to really be geared for "box modeling." Is this correct?

 Actually it's not correct. Blender is one of the few 3D modelers that actually allows you extrude vertices. It's just much, much easier to start from a plane, which is a polygon, and build from there.

You can try this:

• Add a plane
• Tab to go to edit mode
• Press A to select all the vertices
• Press X to delete, select "delete vertices"
• Now you have a polygon with no vertices or faces.
• Press Ctrl-LeftClick. That will create a vertex.
• Continue pressing Ctrl-LeftClick to create more vertices.
• Now right click to select one vertex, Shift Right click to select another vertex
• Press F to link the vertices to create an edge.
• When you have enough edges, select two opposing edges and press F again to create a face.

Voila'! :)

Thanks for setting me straight.  That's good info.

iirc, there's a great video for Blender on how to model a face.  it's actually one of the best free realistic modeling tutorials i've ever found. there's a more complete pay version, too.  and i believe it uses the polygoon modeling method described above, not box modeling.

http://www.blendernation.com/modeling-a-face-and-ear-video-tutorials/

 I've noticed that when I ctrl LMB click it first places a vert but all repeated actions afterwards automatically connect edges to newly created vertices.

Also, it doesn't appear that I can create a free floating face (although not sure why I would) as the last edge will not connect to the first vert in the series to complete the box.

should also mention, from the tut I read, 'W' is necessary, once, afterwards to remove double verts made during the process.

Can't use the knife tool, any ideas how to get this working? I can do "loop cut (ctrl + R)" but no knife tools :,(

 If you are using 2.53 Beta, select the edges you wish to cut. Press K and LMB together, the cursor will change to a knife icon. Drag over the edges you want to cut and release the mouse button.

Although there are options in the tool shelf for exact, midpoints etc., they don't work. You need to select F6 which will bring the panel up in the 3D window and select the options from there.

If you're using 2.49 its just a matter of hitting the K key.

 Also, be careful how you use the knife tool because Blender can't handle Ngons or faces that have more than four verts.

Most of the subdivision, to keep everything uniform, will be done with loop.

The one really annoying aspect about Blender's knife tool is that it puts itself back away again after one slice.

Also, for the person whom wrote the opening post, If you want a really good, freeware, NURBS / Spline modeler check out Marble Clay 3D http://homepage3.nifty.com/escargot/MCLFrm.html

thanks, I'll give it a go! :D