Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
FREE WORKSHOP: In this new 30-min workshop, Bryant Momo Koshu shares the powerful tricks he uses to detail hard-surface models in Blender: thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops/blender-hard-surface-modeling-techniques
Plus, watch hundreds of other free lessons, available now at www.thegnomonworkshop.com.
ADDING NUTS, BOLTS & CABLES TO SCI-FI MODELS
For artists working in the entertainment industry, elevating hard-surface designs from acceptable to a professional level depends heavily on the final detailing stage. In this highly focused, 30-minute technique spotlight, professional concept artist Bryant Momo Koshu shares the powerful tricks he uses to rapidly enhance hard-surface models using Blender. This workshop is ideal for intermediate-level artists looking to advance their Blender skills.
This concise workshop has been designed to give artists immediate, actionable workflows for adding intricate layers of detail — specifically, nuts, bolts, panel lines, and cables — to 3D assets, and to teach how to avoid being held back by tedious modeling pipelines.
This workshop uses Blender as the core software. Bryant uses two recommended Blender add-ons in his demonstrated workflow: Decal Machine and Cablerator.
LESSONS:
0:00 Fast-Track Nuts & Bolts
12:05 Non-Destructive Panel Lines
22:06 Efficient Cable & Segment Routing
LESSON 1: FAST-TRACK NUTS & BOLTS
Bryant Momo Koshu shares two distinct methods to quickly add micro-details to mechanical surfaces. Firstly, he shows how to master the basics of the Decal Machine Blender add-on to rapidly snap, scale, and wrap 2D details onto flat or rounded surfaces. Second, he demonstrates a clever, three-dimensional alternative using vertex groups, weighted influences, and the Shrink Wrap modifier. To finish this first lesson, he shows how to use the Data Transfer modifier to seamlessly blend distinct kitbash geometry onto your base mesh for flawless normals.
LESSON 2: NON-DESTRUCTIVE PANEL LINES
In this second lesson, Bryant discusses how Panel lines give 3D models a complex, "techie" appearance. This lesson covers two efficient ways to slice details into a mesh. First, he demonstrates how to use the Decal Machine to instantly generate panel decals from an edge selection, adjusting width and styles on the fly. He then shows how to use Boolean Vertex Cutters to build a completely non-destructive panel system using basic vertices, a Screw modifier, a Solidify modifier, and Boolean operations — allowing artists to freely change cut directions at any time.
LESSON 3: EFFICIENT CABLE & SEGMENT ROUTING
Bryant reveals how to bring machinery models to life by routing complex wires and cables through them. In this lesson, he demonstrates how to use the Cablerator Blender add-on to instantly draw and adjust the tension and droopiness of cables. To complete the demonstration, he goes over Custom Overlays. He shows how to create a custom wireframe mesh segment and automatically duplicate it along cable paths for an advanced sci-fi finish.
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops.
FREE WORKSHOP: In this new 30-min workshop, Bryant Momo Koshu shares the powerful tricks he uses to detail hard-surface models in Blender: thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops/blender-hard-surface-modeling-techniques
Plus, watch hundreds of other free lessons, available now at www.thegnomonworkshop.com.
ADDING NUTS, BOLTS & CABLES TO SCI-FI MODELS
For artists working in the entertainment industry, elevating hard-surface designs from acceptable to a professional level depends heavily on the final detailing stage. In this highly focused, 30-minute technique spotlight, professional concept artist Bryant Momo Koshu shares the powerful tricks he uses to rapidly enhance hard-surface models using Blender. This workshop is ideal for intermediate-level artists looking to advance their Blender skills.
This concise workshop has been designed to give artists immediate, actionable workflows for adding intricate layers of detail — specifically, nuts, bolts, panel lines, and cables — to 3D assets, and to teach how to avoid being held back by tedious modeling pipelines.
This workshop uses Blender as the core software. Bryant uses two recommended Blender add-ons in his demonstrated workflow: Decal Machine and Cablerator.
LESSONS:
0:00 Fast-Track Nuts & Bolts
12:05 Non-Destructive Panel Lines
22:06 Efficient Cable & Segment Routing
LESSON 1: FAST-TRACK NUTS & BOLTS
Bryant Momo Koshu shares two distinct methods to quickly add micro-details to mechanical surfaces. Firstly, he shows how to master the basics of the Decal Machine Blender add-on to rapidly snap, scale, and wrap 2D details onto flat or rounded surfaces. Second, he demonstrates a clever, three-dimensional alternative using vertex groups, weighted influences, and the Shrink Wrap modifier. To finish this first lesson, he shows how to use the Data Transfer modifier to seamlessly blend distinct kitbash geometry onto your base mesh for flawless normals.
LESSON 2: NON-DESTRUCTIVE PANEL LINES
In this second lesson, Bryant discusses how Panel lines give 3D models a complex, "techie" appearance. This lesson covers two efficient ways to slice details into a mesh. First, he demonstrates how to use the Decal Machine to instantly generate panel decals from an edge selection, adjusting width and styles on the fly. He then shows how to use Boolean Vertex Cutters to build a completely non-destructive panel system using basic vertices, a Screw modifier, a Solidify modifier, and Boolean operations — allowing artists to freely change cut directions at any time.
LESSON 3: EFFICIENT CABLE & SEGMENT ROUTING
Bryant reveals how to bring machinery models to life by routing complex wires and cables through them. In this lesson, he demonstrates how to use the Cablerator Blender add-on to instantly draw and adjust the tension and droopiness of cables. To complete the demonstration, he goes over Custom Overlays. He shows how to create a custom wireframe mesh segment and automatically duplicate it along cable paths for an advanced sci-fi finish.
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/workshops.
