Software & Apps Design What is 3D Box Modeling and How Does it Work? Everything you should know about the 3D modeling technique By Justin Slick Writer Former Lifewire writer Justin Slick has been creating 3D computer graphics for more than 10 years, specializing in character and environment creation. our editorial process Justin Slick Updated January 02, 2020 Hero Images/ GettyImages Design 3D Design Animation & Video Graphic Design Tweet Share Email Box modeling is a 3D modeling technique in which the artist begins with a low-resolution primitive (typically a cube or sphere) and modifies the shape by extruding, scaling, or rotating faces and edges. Detail is added to a 3D primitive either by manually adding edge loops or by subdividing the entire surface uniformly to increase polygonal resolution by an order of magnitude. Popular Example The most common and popular example would be the resurgence of 3D technology in major motion pictures where this technology is used; this began with the success of the film Avatar, the 2009 blockbuster from director James Cameron. The film helped to transform the 3D industry and used many of the concepts of box modeling. Other modeling techniques: Digital sculpting, NURBS modeling Also Known As: Subdivision modeling