Magic Blocks
Table of contents:
Introduction
Magic Blocks
Let's talk about the Magic Blocks tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Voxel Remesh, Voxelize, or Convert to Voxels. While the naming may vary, the function remains the same: it rebuilds a model by converting its smooth polygonal surfaces into a voxel-based structure composed of uniform block-like elements.
In SelfCAD, the Magic Blocks tool can be found in the Tools section of the main Toolbar. When applied to an object, it reconstructs the model by replacing flat surfaces with evenly distributed voxels. In practice, this enables users to create block-style designs, stylized low-resolution models, game-inspired voxel art, or simplified structural versions of complex geometry. It can also be used as a creative effect or as a preparation step for further modifications.
Unlike Modify or Deform tools, the tools found below the divider in the Tools category focus on rebuilding models rather than directly reshaping them. Magic Blocks fundamentally changes the structure of the object into a voxel-based form. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Magic Blocks tool effectively and transform your models into voxelized structures.
Select the object
The first step of using any modeling tool is selecting the object on which you want to use it. You can select objects by either left-clicking on them in the workspace or by selecting them in the Object Management section, in the right-side panel. The second option has an in-built search engine, which is extremely useful when you are working with multiple objects.
Activate the tool
Once the object is selected, you can activate the Magic Blocks tool by selecting it from the Tools drop-down list or use a shortcut by pressing the 'T+B’ combination on your keyboard. This way, you will open a Tool Setting Panel with all of the customizable options for this tool on the left-hand side of your screen.
Depth
Depth is the main setting of the Magic Blocks tool, and it customizes the overall resolution of the voxels used to rebuild the object. Using low values will generate larger voxels in lower quantities while using higher values will generate a denser and more detailed output.
Scale
The Scale setting can further tweak the resolution of the output of the voxels. Just like before, you can manipulate it by either moving the slider or by typing the value into the text-box. Lower values will decrease the size of the voxels while using higher values will increase it.
Remove Disconnected Pieces
Remove Disconnected Pieces is a rather self-explanatory setting. Sometimes, while rebuilding the object, some of its parts might separate from the model, and by enabling this option, you will remove those separated parts.
Magic Blocks: Threshold
Threshold is an option that appears only after enabling the Remove Disconnected Pieces option, and it allows you to customizes it further. With this setting, you can set the size of the disconnected pieces of the model that will be deleted.
And that’s about it for the Magic Blocks. After reading this article, you should know the basics of this tool and how to use it, and know about its different applications. Of course, the graphics shown here were just examples, and using this tool on other shapes will give you slightly different effects, but its underlying principles will always stay the same.
That's all I have for you today. I wish you success in your future projects. See you, and stay tuned for more content to come!