vertex
What is it?
A vertex is a single point in 3D space that serves as a corner of a mesh. In 3D modeling and design a vertex normally stores not only its position but also attributes such as a normal vector, UV coordinates, color, and skinning weights. Vertices are connected by edges to form faces (commonly triangles or quads); their positions and attributes determine a model's shape, shading, and how it deforms during animation.
Practical example
When modeling a character you move vertices to define the face and body contours; small adjustments to individual vertices change the silhouette and detail. In low‑poly design you watch the vertex count because fewer vertices improve performance, whereas sculpting often requires many vertices for high detail. For animation you assign skin weights to vertices so bones deform the mesh correctly, and correct vertex normals are essential for smooth or sharp shading.
Test your knowledge
Which statement about vertices is correct in the context of 3D modeling?