At times it can be confusing what software is best suited for freeform or organic shapes – sculpting or surface modelling software? While the choice depends heavily on the artist’s goals and preferences, we can give a slight hint: product designers, architects usually choose surface modelling software because it helps them control the shape and the topology* of an object simultaneously. 3D artists mostly opt for sculpting software, because it concentrates on the shape only.
*Topology is the patterns of polygons, which construct the mesh.
Image 1. Proper topology of a model created with the help of surface modelling.
Image 2. A comparison in topology. A model on the right might be well suited for animation, while a model on the left can serve only as a concept idea.