WHAT IS A 3D OBJECT ACTUALLY MADE OF?

Nearly every 3D model shares the trait of being built from the same three components - Mike Griggs shows what they are and why they matter

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It is weird to think that every time we see a 3D rendering of a character or environment, it's essentially a bunch of equations placing points in an infinite computer void, then the computer connects them with the 3D application. This is because every polygon-based 3D model is constructed from three components: vertices, edges and faces.

Everything else in regard to the model is dependant on the way that these three parameters work together, from texturing, which map to the polygons, to animations that are dependant on organised edge flow.