Increase a model's resolution

The amount of detail you can sculpt onto a polygonal model is determined by the number of faces on the model, also referred to as its resolution.

The higher the number of faces on a model, the higher the model’s resolution and the finer the detail that can be sculpted. You increase the number of vertices on a model by subdividing it using the Add New Subdivision Level option.

When you subdivide a model, Mudbox creates a new higher resolution version of the model called a subdivision level, and the model display updates in the 3D View. The previously displayed version of the model (coarser level) is hidden, but its detail is stored and can be quickly recalled by changing the display (stepping down) to that level. A version of the model exists for each level, so an object with four subdivision levels has the information of four polygonal models of different resolutions stored in memory at once.

Subdividing a model quadruples its face count. You can calculate the number of faces added with a subdivision level by multiplying the current face count by four.

NoteThe current polygonal face count for a model displays in the Object List and in the Heads-Up Display that appears in the 3D View.

Add a new subdivision level

Do one of the following:

Click the model you want to subdivide then select Mesh > Add New Subdivision Level from the main menu.
Position the cursor above the model and press Shift + D.

Each time you subdivide a model, a new version of the model containing more vertices is created and the model display updates in the 3D View. The number of polygons for the new subdivision level appears briefly in the Heads-Up Display. See Heads-up Display.

NoteYou can also see how many subdivisions currently exist on a model using the Object List. Click the (+) sign beside the model name to display the subdivision level.

Display a different subdivision level

You can change the display of the model to show a different subdivision level and continue sculpting or editing at that level.

Press the Page Down key to display a coarser subdivision level.
Press Page Up to display a finer subdivision level.

The number of polygons for the model appears briefly in the Heads-Up Display in the upper right corner of the 3D View. See Heads-up Display.

NoteEach time you step up or down a level, the previous subdivision level is hidden in the 3D View.

Deleting a subdivision level

You can delete the highest subdivision level on a model (provided it is not currently active/displayed). Use the Page Up and Page Down keys to change the subdivision levels.

With the cursor over the model, select Mesh > Delete Highest Level to delete the highest subdivision level.

Tips for subdivision levels

The fastest method for subdividing your model is to position the cursor over a model and press Shift + D. Note that hotkeys give priority to selected objects, but if nothing is selected, positioning the cursor over the model designates it as the receiving model of the hotkey command.