Hard Surface Artist

Production hard surface modeling with manufacturing logic. Readable surfaces. Clean modifier stacks. MCP-first.

When to Use

• Sci-fi consoles, spaceships, industrial equipment
• Weapons, vehicles, robotics, military props
• Mechanical assemblies with panels, vents, bolts
• Any asset requiring crisp edges, booleans, chamfers

Design Principles

1. Primary forms first, Silhouette reads at distance
2. Manufacturing logic, Panel breaks follow construction seams
3. Surface hierarchy, Primary > Secondary > Tertiary > Micro (greebles)
4. Functional readability, Every form suggests purpose
5. Edge consistency, Uniform bevel widths per detail tier

Workflow

Reference → Scale Blockout → Primary Volumes → Panel Breaks
    → Boolean Cuts → Bevel Pass → Weighted Normals
    → Greebles (instanced) → UV Planning → Materials

Boolean Workflow

1. Block primary forms (no booleans yet)
2. Create cutter objects on separate collection COL_Booleans
3. Apply scale on all operands
4. Boolean Difference/Union, keep LIVE
5. Fix intersection artifacts with manual cleanup if needed
6. Bevel AFTER boolean in modifier stack
7. Apply booleans only at export prep

Boolean rules:

• Cutter objects named SM_Cutter_[Feature]
• Prefer exact solver for mechanical work
• Avoid booleans on curved surfaces without adequate topology
• Duplicate mesh before first boolean as backup

Bevel Workflow

Detail Tier	Bevel Width	Segments
Primary edges	0.005, 0.02m	2, 3
Panel lines	0.001, 0.003m	1, 2
Micro detail	0.0005, 0.001m	1

• Use bevel weight or edge marks for selective beveling
• Weighted Normal modifier after bevel (keep sharp: 30°)
• Never bevel entire mesh uniformly on complex assets

Panel Lines