DEV Community

Dinesh
Dinesh

Posted on

This Blender Trick Saved Me from Manual Duplication

I kept duplicating objects one by one. It worked… but it felt wrong. Then I discovered a much cleaner way.

This post is part of my daily learning journey in game development.

I’m sharing what I learn each day — the basics, the confusion, and the real progress — from the perspective of a beginner.

On Day 39 of my game development journey, I learned how Array and Curve Modifiers work together in Blender.


What I tried / learned today

I learned to use the Array Modifier instead of manually duplicating meshes.

Array lets me repeat the same mesh automatically while keeping everything consistent. When I change one piece, all copies update together.

To control the shape, I added a Bezier Curve and then used the Curve Modifier. This allowed the repeated mesh to bend smoothly along the curve.

Using both modifiers together, I created a curved pillar without placing anything manually. The best part is that this workflow is non-destructive. I can change the count, spacing, or curve shape at any time.

What confused me

At first, nothing worked the way I expected.

I was confused because:

  • The array didn’t follow the curve
  • Spacing looked wrong
  • The mesh bent in a strange direction

I didn’t understand how important modifier order and axis direction were.

What worked or finally clicked

Everything clicked when I learned two key rules:

  • Array Modifier must be above the Curve Modifier
  • The mesh must face the correct axis

Once those were fixed, the curve controlled the bend correctly.

I also realized this method is much faster and cleaner than manual duplication.

One lesson for beginners

  • Use Array instead of copy-paste
  • Modifier order matters
  • Always apply scale before using modifiers
  • Start with simple meshes
  • Curve controls shape, Array controls repetition

Slow progress — but I’m building a strong foundation.

If you’re also learning game development,

what was the first thing that confused you when you started?

See you in the next post 🎮🚀

Top comments (0)