Creating A Guilloché Fan Pattern on a Watch Dial Using Vertex Groups – A Powerful Method to Master in 3d Modelling

Hello all. Here is a dial design I recreated, The Orpheus… I hope you like it? I want to show you briefly how I created and modelled it😊. I want to talk specifically, and briefly, about using ‘vertex groups’ in Blender for design purposes. Of course, you can use vertex groups or grouping for many things in design software, but for this post, I am going to discuss making a Guilloché fan pattern on a watch dial.

Firstly, what am I talking about when I refer to a Guilloché pattern? A Guilloché pattern is a decorative engraving technique that involves intricate and repetitive geometric patterns. It is commonly found on various items such as banknotes, jewelry, and watches, where it adds a sense of artistry and security. The process of creating a Guilloché pattern on a watch dial, for example, typically involves the use of a machine called a rose engine, which carefully guides the engraving tool to produce precise, symmetrical designs. These patterns are not only visually captivating but also serve as a deterrent against counterfeiting due to their complexity and difficulty to replicate. As a result, the Guilloché technique has been utilized for centuries to embellish and protect valuable items, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail of the artisans who employ this sophisticated art form.

In this instance, for this post, we are looking at the Guilloché Fan pattern I created on this watch dial you see in the images at the top and below – the fanning engraved pattern:

These images are renders, they are not ‘real’ as you would say. I fully modelled and created them myself using Blender; a suite for 3D modeling, design, and animation etc. So what I want to specifically talk about is using a little trick called ‘vertex grouping’ in Blender, something not many people tend to know about or use. In Blender, vertex groups can be incredibly useful for a variety of tasks, such as rigging, particle systems, and weight painting. Understanding how to effectively use vertex groups can greatly enhance the quality and efficiency of your 3D modeling and animation projects. With vertex groups, you can control the influence of certain aspects of your model, such as deformations, texture painting, and object modifiers, giving you greater control and precision over your designs.

So in this post, I just want to show you how you can use vertex groups to easily and manually manipulate vertices to create fine and complex patterns, such as this Guilloché Fan pattern. Here is an image of the subdivided model of the watch dial I created. Essentially, I subdivided a circle with as many subdivisions as needed to start creating the fan pattern. Then, I grouped the individual vertices into three groups, or ‘vertex groups‘:

Recessed_vectors

Raised_vectors

Radial_raised_vectors.

I can manipulate these vertices together rather than individually to start to create the pattern and shape I am looking for.

So, before I go into a brief explanation of how I have used these vector groups, I should probably first explain what a ‘vector’ in Blender actually is. A vector in Blender is a mathematical entity defined by both magnitude and direction, commonly used to represent points in 3D space. In Blender, vectors are instrumental in defining object locations, rotations, and scales, making them vital for accurate 3D modeling and animation. Understanding how to manipulate and utilize vectors is crucial for creating complex and dynamic visual effects in Blender. Below is an image I have captured of a cube with four of the vertices highlighted to help you see what I am referring to:

So back now to my dial model! Now to start with these subdivisions of vectors were ‘equal,’ and all I had was a disc of many concentric subdivided circles… So how do I turn this into this wonderful and beautiful Guilloché pattern? Well, having these three groups of divided vertices of these concentric circles means I can manipulate the groups individually to create the patterns:

So firstly, shown here in this image, we have the Recessed_vectors selected which I can grab and scale them Downward & In – to the centre:

Grabbing these Recessed_vectors and pulling them inward and down means I create the base pattern of this fan pattern.

Then we have the Radial_raised_vectors, which are the separated vectors along the radial, meaning I can select these and pull them up or down together, creating the ribbed effect of the Guilloché fan pattern, as seen here in the image below:

To exaggerate for emphasis and to help you understand this concept, below is an image where I have grabbed the Raised_vectors vector group, and then scaled them out drastically so you can see the effect. Hopefully, this helps you focus on the grabbed vectors and understand the concept.

A finished Render of The Watch Dial Model:

So there you have it, I hope from this brief explanation you have some concept of how this pattern was created in Blender partly by using vector groups. Of course this is just a very brief overview of this design and what vector groups can be used for. Vector groups in Blender or other 3d Software can be used in many ways and for varying purposes, such as controlling influence of modifiers, managing selection sets for easier editing, and creating complex textures or material effects. The versatility of vector groups allows for intricate and precise manipulation of elements within 3D designs, contributing to the creation of stunning visual effects and realistic renderings. These groups can also be utilized for animation control, enabling seamless and fluid movements of 3D models. Expanding your knowledge and skills in utilizing vector groups opens up endless possibilities for creativity in the realm of 3D design and animation.

I hope you enjoyed this post good people and you found it interesting and educational😊.

Have a great day everyone!

Kind regards, Jay