hard-surface

Name: hard-surface
Author: arjun988

53stars2forks

How to install hard-surface?

arjun988/blender-skills/hard-surface

$npx -y skills add arjun988/blender-skills --skill hard-surface

Installs into the current project.

Summary

AAA hard surface modeling for sci-fi, industrial, military, vehicles, weapons, robotics, and mechanical props. Use for boolean/bevel workflows, panel lines, greebles, chamfers, and manufacturing-accurate surfaces in Blender via MCP.

Files · 1

View on GitHub

SKILL.md

1	# Hard Surface Artist
2
3	Production hard surface modeling with manufacturing logic. Readable surfaces. Clean modifier stacks. MCP-first.
4
5	## When to Use
6
7	- Sci-fi consoles, spaceships, industrial equipment
8	- Weapons, vehicles, robotics, military props
9	- Mechanical assemblies with panels, vents, bolts
10	- Any asset requiring crisp edges, booleans, chamfers
11
12	## Design Principles
13
14	1. Primary forms first — Silhouette reads at distance
15	2. Manufacturing logic — Panel breaks follow construction seams
16	3. Surface hierarchy — Primary > Secondary > Tertiary > Micro (greebles)
17	4. Functional readability — Every form suggests purpose
18	5. Edge consistency — Uniform bevel widths per detail tier
19
20	## Workflow
21
22	```
23	Reference → Scale Blockout → Primary Volumes → Panel Breaks
24	→ Boolean Cuts → Bevel Pass → Weighted Normals
25	→ Greebles (instanced) → UV Planning → Materials
26	```
27
28	## Boolean Workflow
29
30	```
31	1. Block primary forms (no booleans yet)
32	2. Create cutter objects on separate collection COL_Booleans
33	3. Apply scale on all operands
34	4. Boolean Difference/Union — keep LIVE
35	5. Fix intersection artifacts with manual cleanup if needed
36	6. Bevel AFTER boolean in modifier stack
37	7. Apply booleans only at export prep
38	```
39
40	Boolean rules:
41	- Cutter objects named `SM_Cutter_[Feature]`
42	- Prefer exact solver for mechanical work
43	- Avoid booleans on curved surfaces without adequate topology
44	- Duplicate mesh before first boolean as backup
45
46	## Bevel Workflow
47
48	\| Detail Tier \| Bevel Width \| Segments \|
49	\|-------------\|-------------\|----------\|
50	\| Primary edges \| 0.005–0.02m \| 2–3 \|
51	\| Panel lines \| 0.001–0.003m \| 1–2 \|
52	\| Micro detail \| 0.0005–0.001m \| 1 \|
53
54	- Use bevel weight or edge marks for selective beveling
55	- Weighted Normal modifier after bevel (keep sharp: 30°)
56	- Never bevel entire mesh uniformly on complex assets
57
58	## Panel Lines
59
60	Techniques (prefer non-destructive):
61	1. Inset faces + slight extrude inward
62	2. Knife cuts on flat panels
63	3. Boolean with thin cutter boxes
64	4. Normal map detail for distant panels
65
66	Place panel lines at:
67	- Structural boundaries
68	- Access hatches, maintenance points
69	- Material transitions
70	- Manufacturing seam locations
71
72	## Greebles
73
74	- Instance small detail meshes; never model unique unless hero
75	- Collection: `COL_Greebles`
76	- Keep greebles on separate mesh for easy toggle
77	- Budget: greebles should not dominate polycount
78	- Use array + random transform for scatter greebles
79
80	## Hard Edge Management
81
82	```
83	Sharp edges → Mark Sharp or Bevel Weight = 1.0
84	Soft transitions → Bevel Weight = 0.0–0.5
85	Auto Smooth angle: 30°–45° for hard surface
86	Weighted Normal modifier: Keep Sharp enabled
87	```
88
89	## Manufacturing Reference
90
91	\| Real-World Feature \| Modeling Approach \|
92	\|--------------------\|-------------------\|
93	\| Sheet metal bend \| Bevel + slight inset \|
94	\| Weld seam \| Thin raised strip or normal map \|
95	\| Bolt pattern \| Instanced cylinder, hex inset \|
96	\| Vent grille \| Boolean cut + array \|
97	\| Cable routing \| Curve + bevel object or geo nodes \|
98	\| Rubber gasket \| Separate mesh, slight inset channel \|
99
100	## Vehicle / Spaceship Specifics
101
102	> Prefer vehicle-artist for cars, ships, aircraft, and mechs. Use this skill when the vehicle is primarily hard-surface sci-fi detailing under a broader HS brief.
103
104	- Establish centerline symmetry early (Mirror modifier)
105	- Flow lines follow aerodynamic/structural logic
106	- Landing gear, thrusters as separate objects
107	- LOD: bake panel detail to normal at distance
108
109	## Weapon Specifics
110
111	- Grip pivot at hand contact center
112	- Sight line alignment verified
113	- Separate moving parts (slide, magazine) as objects
114	- First-person: optimize silhouette for viewmodel
115
116	## MCP Integration
117
118	Execute via MCP:
119	1. Create blockout primitives
120	2. Apply mirror/array modifiers
121	3. Execute boolean operations
122	4. Apply bevel and weighted normal
123	5. Instance greeble collections
124	6. Query polycount per phase
125
126	## Constraints
127
128	### MUST DO
129	- Maintain manufacturing plausibility
130	- Keep modifier stack non-destructive until export
131	- Use instancing for repeated mechanical detail
132	- Verify silhouette at 45° increments
133	- Apply scale before booleans
134
135	### MUST NOT DO
136	- Boolean on unsubdivided curved surfaces without support
137	- Uniform bevel on entire complex mesh
138	- Model every bolt uniquely
139	- Skip weighted normals on hard surface
140	- Exceed polycount budget with micro-detail
141
142	## Reference Guide
143
144	\| Topic \| Refer

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hard-surface

53stars2forks

View on GitHub

How to install hard-surface?

arjun988/blender-skills/hard-surface

$npx -y skills add arjun988/blender-skills --skill hard-surface

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Files · 1

View on GitHub

SKILL.md

1	# Hard Surface Artist
2
3	Production hard surface modeling with manufacturing logic. Readable surfaces. Clean modifier stacks. MCP-first.
4
5	## When to Use
6
7	- Sci-fi consoles, spaceships, industrial equipment
8	- Weapons, vehicles, robotics, military props
9	- Mechanical assemblies with panels, vents, bolts
10	- Any asset requiring crisp edges, booleans, chamfers
11
12	## Design Principles
13
14	1. Primary forms first — Silhouette reads at distance
15	2. Manufacturing logic — Panel breaks follow construction seams
16	3. Surface hierarchy — Primary > Secondary > Tertiary > Micro (greebles)
17	4. Functional readability — Every form suggests purpose
18	5. Edge consistency — Uniform bevel widths per detail tier
19
20	## Workflow
21
22	```
23	Reference → Scale Blockout → Primary Volumes → Panel Breaks
24	→ Boolean Cuts → Bevel Pass → Weighted Normals
25	→ Greebles (instanced) → UV Planning → Materials
26	```
27
28	## Boolean Workflow
29
30	```
31	1. Block primary forms (no booleans yet)
32	2. Create cutter objects on separate collection COL_Booleans
33	3. Apply scale on all operands
34	4. Boolean Difference/Union — keep LIVE
35	5. Fix intersection artifacts with manual cleanup if needed
36	6. Bevel AFTER boolean in modifier stack
37	7. Apply booleans only at export prep
38	```
39
40	Boolean rules:
41	- Cutter objects named `SM_Cutter_[Feature]`
42	- Prefer exact solver for mechanical work
43	- Avoid booleans on curved surfaces without adequate topology
44	- Duplicate mesh before first boolean as backup
45
46	## Bevel Workflow
47
48	\| Detail Tier \| Bevel Width \| Segments \|
49	\|-------------\|-------------\|----------\|
50	\| Primary edges \| 0.005–0.02m \| 2–3 \|
51	\| Panel lines \| 0.001–0.003m \| 1–2 \|
52	\| Micro detail \| 0.0005–0.001m \| 1 \|
53
54	- Use bevel weight or edge marks for selective beveling
55	- Weighted Normal modifier after bevel (keep sharp: 30°)
56	- Never bevel entire mesh uniformly on complex assets
57
58	## Panel Lines
59
60	Techniques (prefer non-destructive):
61	1. Inset faces + slight extrude inward
62	2. Knife cuts on flat panels
63	3. Boolean with thin cutter boxes
64	4. Normal map detail for distant panels
65
66	Place panel lines at:
67	- Structural boundaries
68	- Access hatches, maintenance points
69	- Material transitions
70	- Manufacturing seam locations
71
72	## Greebles
73
74	- Instance small detail meshes; never model unique unless hero
75	- Collection: `COL_Greebles`
76	- Keep greebles on separate mesh for easy toggle
77	- Budget: greebles should not dominate polycount
78	- Use array + random transform for scatter greebles
79
80	## Hard Edge Management
81
82	```
83	Sharp edges → Mark Sharp or Bevel Weight = 1.0
84	Soft transitions → Bevel Weight = 0.0–0.5
85	Auto Smooth angle: 30°–45° for hard surface
86	Weighted Normal modifier: Keep Sharp enabled
87	```
88
89	## Manufacturing Reference
90
91	\| Real-World Feature \| Modeling Approach \|
92	\|--------------------\|-------------------\|
93	\| Sheet metal bend \| Bevel + slight inset \|
94	\| Weld seam \| Thin raised strip or normal map \|
95	\| Bolt pattern \| Instanced cylinder, hex inset \|
96	\| Vent grille \| Boolean cut + array \|
97	\| Cable routing \| Curve + bevel object or geo nodes \|
98	\| Rubber gasket \| Separate mesh, slight inset channel \|
99
100	## Vehicle / Spaceship Specifics
101
102	> Prefer vehicle-artist for cars, ships, aircraft, and mechs. Use this skill when the vehicle is primarily hard-surface sci-fi detailing under a broader HS brief.
103
104	- Establish centerline symmetry early (Mirror modifier)
105	- Flow lines follow aerodynamic/structural logic
106	- Landing gear, thrusters as separate objects
107	- LOD: bake panel detail to normal at distance
108
109	## Weapon Specifics
110
111	- Grip pivot at hand contact center
112	- Sight line alignment verified
113	- Separate moving parts (slide, magazine) as objects
114	- First-person: optimize silhouette for viewmodel
115
116	## MCP Integration
117
118	Execute via MCP:
119	1. Create blockout primitives
120	2. Apply mirror/array modifiers
121	3. Execute boolean operations
122	4. Apply bevel and weighted normal
123	5. Instance greeble collections
124	6. Query polycount per phase
125
126	## Constraints
127
128	### MUST DO
129	- Maintain manufacturing plausibility
130	- Keep modifier stack non-destructive until export
131	- Use instancing for repeated mechanical detail
132	- Verify silhouette at 45° increments
133	- Apply scale before booleans
134
135	### MUST NOT DO
136	- Boolean on unsubdivided curved surfaces without support
137	- Uniform bevel on entire complex mesh
138	- Model every bolt uniquely
139	- Skip weighted normals on hard surface
140	- Exceed polycount budget with micro-detail
141
142	## Reference Guide
143
144	\| Topic \| Refer

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