/3/ - 3DCG

No expert but why not cut lines in yourself?
Depending on the shape you can loop cut.

select red - harden normals
select blue - soften normals

>>478313
in edit mode select the faces you want flat shaded and then click flat on the shading tab of your tools panel.

click smooth for the edges you want smooth.

>>478313
>>478317
>>478319

My mistake, didn't notice you guys were using shit 3D software.

Cinema 4D master race.

>>478320
I need general methods
>>478319
Will try that, thanks

>>478313

>>478332
Naturally it can be done in the opposite direction as well (concave angle instead of convex)
What you really need is enough geometry on the cylinder base to hold the shape with little to no deformation.
You're not going to get away with it if your cylinder has not enough sides, you will be able to see artifacts if you do that

>>478332
>>478334
Thanks

>>478320
>Cinema 4D
>master race
pick one, money spender.

>>478320
>>478317

What software am i using?
If you do know what it is just from
>select red - harden normals
>select blue - soften normals
Then you know it shits all over C4D.

>>478342
don't feed the troll

>>478313
The "superior" method depends on what you're doing.

If you just want it to look sharp/smooth in renders or in a game engine, then you use smoothing groups or edge splits (depending on which 3D software).

If you want it to be sharp/smooth when subdividing, then you need to have good topology. Add loops where you want to keep it sharp, or, you can use creases, but you say you don't like that approach. Watch out when adding edge loops, though, because you'll be generating very, very small geometry. It will look sharp from a distance, but it will still be just as smooth as everything else when zoomed in.