Increase the resolution of a model
You can subdivide a model to add more polygonal faces, also referred to as increasing its resolution. Subdividing to add resolution lets you sculpt more detail. Adding a subdivision level divides each four-sided polygon face on the model into four smaller faces, and so on.
- Press W to turn on Wireframe display and see the individual polygon faces on the model. (Pressing W a second time turns the wireframe display off).
- Select Mesh > Add New Subdivision Level.
Additional polygonal faces appear on the model. The Heads-up Display momentarily appears in the 3D View to show the current subdivision level and the number of polygons for that subdivision level. The new subdivision level is called Level 1.
- Switch to view the Object List tab (at the upper-right corner).
The Object List also shows how many levels the Sphere has, plus information about those levels.
- Click the + symbol beside the Sphere name to expand the list.
The Sphere has two subdivision levels: 0 and 1. The active subdivision level is level 1.
- Press Page Down to step down to the original base level of the model. The current subdivision level momentarily appears in the Heads-up display.
- Press Shift + D two more times until you have 3 subdivision levels.
This gives the sphere suitable resolution for the next steps when you'll try sculpting.
Remember these keyboard shortcuts for navigating the subdivision levels:
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