Some of the available modelling techniques available to a 3D designer are very basic yet quite useful ones, some of these examples are..
Box/Subdivision Modelling
Box modeling is a polygonal modeling technique in which the artist starts with a geometric primitive such as a cube, sphere and cylinder etc, and then refines its shape until the desired appearance is achieved. Box modeling is probably the most common form of polygonal modeling, and is often used in conjunction with edge modeling techniques.
Edge/Contour Modeling
Edge modeling is another polygonal technique, though fundamentally different from its box modeling counterpart. In edge modeling, rather than starting with a primitive shape and refining, the model is essentially built piece by piece by placing loops of polygonal faces along prominent contours, and then filling any gaps between them.
Image Based Modeling
Image based modeling is a process by which transformable 3D objects are aligned and traced from a set of static two-dimensional images. Image based modeling is often used in situations where time or budgetary restrictions do not allow for a fully realized 3D asset to be created manually.
3D Scanning
3D Scanning is used in today's films and games and is a method of digitizing real world objects when an incredibly high level of photo-realism is required. A real world object or even an actor is scanned, analyzed, and the raw data is used to generate an accurate polygonal or NURBS mesh.
