My Cupcake

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/cupcake-f8df2886f7964c97a5959a37062d41fd

In a creative endeavor inspired by a YouTube tutorial, I embarked on a journey to create and decorate a delightful cupcake using Blender, guided by the instructional talents of Octopus Effects, a prominent content creator on the platform. The video, aptly titled "Blender tutorial - Make cartoon cupcake using Geometry Nodes and procedural materials #oe287," served as my virtual mentor throughout this artistic undertaking.

The process unfolded over two days, commencing on October 3 and concluding on October 4, with my dedication channeled during four hours each day, in between my commitments to Game Gen. Here are just some of the steps: To initiate the cupcake creation, I began by shaping the base with a circle, followed by modeling the cake using an Ico Sphere. The procedural cream was then fashioned using a plane generated by the trusty Shift+A keyboard shortcut. As a final touch, the creation of stars involved meticulous steps such as creating a circle, adjusting the vertex count, and scaling them to perfection. This initial phase paved the way for the subsequent stages, meticulously detailed in Octopus Effects' tutorial. The rest can be seen in the video uploaded by Octopus Effects above.

Delving into the intricacies of Blender's Geometry Nodes, my setup involved a well-orchestrated series of connections. The Texture Coordinate served as a foundational element, with the Generated output meticulously linked to the vector input of the Mapping node. Each parameter of the XYZ scale within the Mapping node was uniformly set to 1, ensuring precision in the subsequent steps. The vector then flowed into the Separate XYZ node, with the Z component specifically routed to the Factor input within the Color Ramp node. Both Color and Factor outputs of the Color Ramp node played pivotal roles, as they connected to their respective counterparts in two Mix nodes. The "clamp factor" feature was thoughtfully engaged to maintain control over the process. The ultimate result of the Mix nodes merged seamlessly with the base color of the Principled BSDF, rendering the cupcake with the desired visual appeal. Notably, another layer of complexity emerged with the interplay of Mix Color A, Mix Result, Mix Factor, and the Color Ramp's Color point, all orchestrating a symphony of colors and textures. Factor, in this intricate dance, found its partner in pointiness, further enhancing the cupcake's visual allure. These meticulous arrangements of nodes within the Geometry tab brought the cupcake to life in the digital realm.

In conclusion, the journey to create a cartoon cupcake, guided by Octopus Effects' tutorial, was a fascinating and educational experience. It involved two days of dedicated work and a careful orchestration of Blender's Geometry Nodes to achieve the desired visual aesthetics. Through this creative endeavor, I gained a deeper understanding of 3D modeling and procedural materials within the Blender software, all thanks to the invaluable guidance provided by the talented content creator. This project not only yielded a delightful digital cupcake but also enriched my skill set in the world of 3D artistry and animation.