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Creating a simple model of a 3d building block. This tutorial was originally written to encourage the use of additional tools when 3d modelling and to push beginners into the simplest methods of box modelling.  Namely selections, extrude, shapemerge.

First step is to make a cube with 3 segments for Height, Width and, Length.

When making a box, theres a radio button to check to make it a cube instead.

Then click and drag in any of the viewports to create the cube.

Now right click on the box and convert it to an editable poly. I always use Epoly over Editable Mesh for the simple reason of using meshtools.
Even though we wont be using meshtools, its a habit.

Epoly has many features editable mesh doesnt,
try making changes to a mesh and an editable poly to compare.

Open the modifier tab and go into sub object mode VERTEX.

Now in the TOP viewport select the middle 4 vertices and Non uniformly scale them in the X and Y planes. This will enlarge the centre face without stretching it off the cube.

To select the vertices, drag a selection box around them. This will also select the opposite, back face of the cube

Do the same for the front and left viewports and do your best to line them up. Just do it slowly and you’ll be fine.

Now you can go into subobject mode POLYGON and select the polygon in the centre of each side.

Rotate the perspective view to select all of the faces that will be seen in the final shot.

Now extrude those negatively. Not too far. keep an eye on the front or top view port and make sure the extruded faces dont ntersect.

TIP : By holding down the control key while selecting items you can select multiple items at once.

Create your text object and scale it to the right size. Use your own judgement, it doesnt need to be perfect.

Then select the letter you created, click the align tool in the top menu and select all 3 axis. Then simply use the move tool to move the text up or across so it’s outside the cube and not inside it.

Were going to use shapemerge to apply the shape of the “A” to the cube.

Select the cube. Now under “Compound Objects” select shapemerge. Now Click on SELECT SHAPE and click the “A”. The A will now be marked on the face of the cube.

Almost done.

Convert the cube to an editable poly again.

In subobject mode select polygon and select the entire cube. Change the material ID for all of them to 1.

Now select the faces of the letters and extrude them all at the same time.

Lastly. Select the outside faces of the cube, the ones not extruded inwards and the faces of the letters and apply a material id of 2.

Now if you apply a multi-subobject material with different colours you can make a simple building block in no time at all.