Shade 12. Editing Objects
From ShadeCamp
Selecting and Converting Objects
To edit only part of an object, you must first switch the editing mode to Modify mode.
1 From the Edit Mode menu on the Control Bar, select Modify.
2 Select the part of the object to edit. The selection method differs between line objects and polygon objects.
Selecting and Converting Line Objects
A line object is edited by selecting a control point or line handle.
NOTE
Differences in Object Edit Modes
If you edit an object in Object mode, the entire object changes.
You can edit only a selected part of the object in Modify mode.
Selecting and Converting Polygon Meshes
From the Mesh Editing options on the Control Bar, change the selection target to a polygon mesh.
- Vertex Editing Mode
- Edge Editing Mode
- Face Editing Mode
Selection by clicking
Select, by clicking, a control point, line handle, vertex, edge, or face.
TIP
You can select two or more editing targets by clicking them while holding down the C Win or 0 Mac key.
Selection by dragging
From the selection options on the Control Bar, change the selection method.
- Box Selection
- Lasso Selection
- Trace Selection
TIP
To cancel the selection, click outside of the object while holding down the C Win or o Mac key.
Creating a Link Object
A link object can be created from other objects. A link object only contains the same information as the original object. If you edit the original object, the result is reflected on the link object. Unlike a copy, the link object occupies no space in memory, thus reducing the amount of data.
1 Switch to Object mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Copy > Link.
3 Drag to create the link object from the selected object.
Converting an Object Type
An object can be converted to another type. By converting the type of an object, you can edit object properties based on the new object type.
1 Select the object to be converted and then from Tool Parameters, select a conversion option.
Tool Parameters indicates that Disk has been selected. For the selected object, the corresponding Tool Parameters options are active. From Tool Parameters, you can convert one object type to another by selecting an active option.
- Convertible Object Types
NOTE
Reconversion after Conversion
Once you have converted an object, you cannot restore the original object. You can undo the conversion by using the Undo command on the Edit menu.
Editing a Line Object
Adding Control Points
You can increase the complexity and resolution of an object by increasing the number of control points that make up a line object.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox select Modify > Tools > Add Point.
3 Drag across the position on a line object where you want to include a new control point.
4 The control point is added at the position.
5 Drag to edit the added control point.
TIP
You can also add a control point by dragging while holding down the z + x Win or }{ + option Mac keys.
Deleting Control Points
You can delete the control points constituting a line object.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control points to be deleted.
3 To delete the control points, from Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Delete.
4 The control points are deleted.
TIP
You can also delete control points by clicking them while holding down the z + x Win or 0 + o Mac keys.
Averaging Control Points
You can average the control points constituting the line object, smoothing the progression of a line.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control points to be avaraged.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Iron.
4 Move the control points.
TIP
In Object mode, this function is applied to an entire line object.
Creating a Line Handle to Modify Curved Lines
You can create a line handle to control and modify a curved line.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Scissors.
3 Drag from the control point in the direction of the point to create the line handle.
4 A line handle of a length equal to the length of the drag is created before and after the direction of the drag, and the line passing through the control point becomes a curved line.
5 When you drag the line handle, the curved line changes.
TIP
From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Smooth to create a line handle at the control point being selected.
TIP
You can create a line handle for the entire line object by switching the editing mode to Object Mode and then selecting Toolbox > Modify > Surface > Smooth.
Deleting a Line Handle to Straighten a Line
You can delete a line handle and thus turn it into a straight Line.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control point at which to delete the line handle.
3 Delete one side and then the other side of the line handle by clicking it while holding down the z + x Win or 0 + option Mac keys.
4 One side of the line handle is deleted.
TIP
To delete the line handle of the selected control point, from Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Unsmooth.
TIP
To delete the line handles of an entire line object, set the editing mode to Object Mode and then, from Tool-box, select Modify > Surface > Unsmooth,
Unlinking the Line Handle Connection and Bending a Curved Line
You can unlink a line handle connection and bend a curved line based on only the area influenced by the portion of the line handle on one side of a control point.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control point at which to bend the line handle.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Unlink Handle.
4 When you drag the line handle, only the dragged line handle moves and the curved line is bent.
TIP
You can also bend the line handle by dragging it while holding down the z Win or o Mac key.
Editing Multiple Line Handles as a Group
You can collectively edit multiple line handles all at the same time.
1 Select the control points to edit.
2 On the Control Bar, select Multi-handle.
3 If you drag a single line handle, all the other handles you have selected move in the same way as that line handle.
Rounding or Trimming Corners
You can perform radius rounding or cutting down for control points to round or trim corners.
Rounding Corners
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control points at which the corners are to be rounded.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Round Edge.
4 Specify the radius used for rounding, as a numerical value.
5 The corners are rounded.
Trimming Corners
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control points at which the corners are to be cut down.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Bevel Edge.
4 Specify the radius used for cutting down, as a numerical value.
5 The corners are trimmed.
TIP
In Object mode, rounding and cutting down are applied to all the control points for a selected object.
Creating or Deleting a Face on a Line Object
You can set the presence or absence of a face by opening or closing the line object.
1 Select an open line object on which to create a face.
2 Check the Closed checkbox in the Object Info window of the Aggregate.
3 The open line object is closed and a face is created on it.
4 Uncheck the Closed checkbox of the Object Info window.
5 The closed line object becomes open and the face is deleted.
Creating a Curved Surface from a Line Object and Creating a Face on that Surface
You can create a curved surface from a line object and create a face on that surface.
1 Create line objects having the same number of control points.
2 From Toolbox, select Part > Curved Surface.
3 The Curved Surface part appears in the Browser.
4 Within the Browser, drag the line objects into the Curved Surface part.
5 The control points of the line object are connected to one another to create the face.
TIP
The line objects constituting a curved surface must all have the same number of control points.
Making a Hole in a Closed Line Object
You can open a hole in any position of a closed line object with another closed line object.
1 Within the Browser, arrange the closed line object in which to make a hole, just below the closed line object used for making the hole.
2 From the Object Info window of the Aggregate, check the Hole checkbox while the closed line object in which to make the hole is selected.
3 The hole is made in the closed line object. You can confirm the result in the rendering process.
Rearranging the Order of Control Points
This function memorizes the control point positions and line handle positions and applies the memorized positions to other control points.
1 Select the control points to be memorized.
2 Click Tool Parameters > Memorize.
3 Select the control points in turn to establish the order.
4 Click Tool Parameters > Apply.
5 The control points return to their original positions.
TIP
If the line object direction is different, the line object will be twisted. You can change the line object direction by selecting Toolbox > Modify > Surface > Reverse.
Connecting Line Objects with Each Other
This function memorizes a line object and connects it to another line object to create a single line object.
1 Select a line object.
2 Click Tool Parameters > Memorize.
3 Select the line object to be connected.
4 Click Tool Parameters > Append.
5 The start point of the memorized line object and the end point of the appended line object are connected to each other to create a single line object.
TIP
Executing this Memorize/Append creates a new single line object to which an appended line object has been connected. The memorized line object still exists. You can delete it if it is not necessary.
Creating a Curved Surface Using a Line Object as a Guide
Using closed or open line objects as a guide, this function extrudes another line object to create a curved surface using the Sweep function.
1 Select the line object to be used as a guide.
2 Click Tool Parameters > Memorize to memorize the line object being selected.
3 The memorized line object is displayed as a thick line.
4 Arrange the line object to be extruded at the start point of the line object being used as a guide.
5 Click Tool Parameters > Sweep to extrude the line object.
6 The curved surface has now been created.
To check the object, change the display mode to Shading and Wireframe.
TIP
If you arrange the line object such that it is swept ver-tically at the start point of the memorized line object and then execute extrusion, the curved surface to be created will be difficult to twist.
TIP
If the line object to be swept has a right-angled corner, the curved surface to be created may be twisted. You may be able to avoid this problem by slightly rounding the right-angled corner with Round Edge.
Extruding a Line Object to Add Thickness
This function turns a closed or open line object into an extruded object.
1 Select the line object to be turned into an extruded object (1) and then select the face in the height direction in the Work Plane Controller (2).
2 From Tool Box, select Edit > Tools > Extrude.
3 Drag in the height direction to create an extruded object.
4 An extruded object is created, in which the thickness is of the drag distance and direction.
TIP
When dragging in the height direction, if you switch to the orthogonal view (Right View here), you can easily perform a straight drag.
TIP
From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Solid group > Clear. This restores the revolved object to the original line object.
Rotating Line Objects to Create Solid Objects
This function turns a closed or open line object into a revolved object.
1 Select the line object to be turned into a revolved object (1) and then select the face in the axis direction in the Work Plane Controller (2).
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Revolve.
3 Drag in the direction of the position that will become the rotation axis, to create a revolved object.
4 The revolved object is created using the dragged axis as a reference.
TIP Note that, if the rotation axis is deviated or slanted, the revolved object will be deformed.
TIP
From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Solid group > Clear. This restores a revolved object to the original line object.
Editing a Curved Surface
Adding a Line Object
This function adds a line object consisting of a curved surface so that a finer object can be represented.
1 Switch to Object mode.
2 Using the Copy tool of Toolbox or the like, copy the line object from inside the curved surface. Alternatively, create a line object having the same number of control points inside the curved surface and then perform editing.
3 After selecting the bottom line object, select Copy > Move to perform movement and copying.
4 The line object is copied and the details are added.
5 Switch to Modify mode.
6 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Scissors.
7 Drag such that the position at which to add the line object is included.
8 The line object is created in the cross direction.
9 Manipulate the control point to edit the details of the object.
Deleting Line Objects
This function deletes line objects constituting the curved surface to simplify the object.
1 Select the line object to be deleted.
2 Delete the line object using the Backspace or Delete Win key, or the delete Mac key, or the like.
TIP
If you delete a control point, the number of control points becomes uneven, such that the object becomes deformed. Be sure to delete control points in units of the line object.
Switching to the Cross Direction
Of the line objects constituting a curved surface, this function switches the line objects to be edited to those in the cross direction.
1 From Browser, select the curved surface to be switched.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Switch to switch the curved surface.
3 The line object directions are switched to the cross direction.
TIP
In addition to switching using Browser, you can make this switch by selecting the line objects in the cross direction displayed.
Dividing a Curved Surface
This function copies a single line object constituting the curved surface and turns it into another curved surface.
1 From Toolbox, select Part > Curved Surface to create a curved surface part.
2 Select the line object from which the curved surface is to be divided.
3 From Toolbox, select Create > Copy > Translate.
4 Click the position where no object exists in the Viewport to copy the selected line object onto the same position.
5 Drag and move the copied line object and all the line objects below that line object, inside the newly created curved surface.
6 The curved surface has now been divided. The curved surfaces are shown in different colors for ease of understanding.
TIP
You can divide a curved surface by copying a curved surface onto the same position and by deleting unnecessary line objects from each curved surface.
Merging Curved Surfaces
This function unifies multiple curved surfaces having the same number of control points as the line objects constituting each curved surface, into one curved surface.
1 Select all the line objects on a one-sided curved surface.
2 Drag all the line objects inside the other curved surface to unify the curved surfaces into one.
TIP • Unless the curved surfaces each have the same num-ber of control points as line objects, the object will be deformed.
• If the line object directions are not the same, the ob-ject will be twisted.
• Note the line object list (in the cross direction) so that the start and end points of the line objects are con-nected to each other.
Rounding or Trimming Corners
This function performs radius-based rounding and cutting down for a single line object constituting a curved surface in order to round or cut down corners.
Rounding Corners
1 Select the line object for which the corner is to be rounded.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Round Edge.
3 Specify the radius used for rounding, as a numerical value.
4 The corners are rounded.
TIP To apply Round Edge to a line object on the curved surface, it is necessary to satisfy the condition indicat-ing that the line object is not the outer circumference of that curved surface.
Trimming Corners
1 Select the line object for which the corner is to be cut down.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Surface > Bevel Edge.
3 Specify the radius used for cutting down, as a numerical value.
4 The corner is trimmed.
TIP To apply Bevel Edge options to a line object in a curved surface, it is necessary to satisfy the condition indicat-ing that the line object is not the outer circumference of that curved surface.
Reducing a Fold
This function adjusts the handle length to reduce a fold.
1 This curved surface has a fold in the front-center part. This fold is caused by the front control point having an extremely long line handle.
2 Switch to Modify mode.
3 Select the line object of the S-shaped side and then select the control point of the fold part.
4 Drag the handle while holding down the S key and position the handle near the control point. You can make the line handle length equal to about 1/3 of the distance to the following control point. You can change only the length without changing the line handle direction by dragging while holding down the S key.
5 The length of the line handle is corrected and the fold is reduced.
Closing an Edge Hole
There are several methods of closing a hole on the edge of a curved surface. Before performing processing, select an appropriate method according to the object.
Closing a Hole by Copying a Line Object onto the Same Position
1 Switch to Object mode.
2 Select the line object at the position where the hole cover is to be created.
3 From Toolbox, select Create > Copy > Translate.
4 Click the Viewport and then copy the line object onto the same position.
5 Place the copied line object outside the curved surface part.
6 The cover has now been created with the closed line object.
TIP To cover a curved surface with the closed line object, the line object of the cover must be a level surface. Oth-erwise, rendering will not be performed correctly.
Closing a Hole by Making Control Points Converge to a Point
1 Switch to Object mode.
2 Copy the line object at the position at which the cover was first created, onto the same position.
3 From Tool Box, select Modify > Tools > Degenerate to Point.
4 The control points of the line object will converge at a point to make the cover.
TIP
A line object that converges at a point is the top or bot-tom one inside the curved surface part. If you have cop-ied the top line object onto the same position, select the top line object and then aim for convergence to a point.
TIP
Creating a cover through convergence to a point allows you to perform corner rounding and cutting down in the vicinity of the cover.
Making a Cover on a Complicated Face by Making Control Points Converge to a Point
1 Switch to Object mode.
2 Copy the line object to be turned into the cover, onto the same position.
3 Switch to Modify mode.
4 Select the control points of the copied line object for each associated alphabetic letter. Each letter group will converge at a point.
5 Make all groups A, B, C, D, and E converge at a point to create a cover. All groups will converge at a point.
TIP
If the cover is not created properly through conver-gence at a point, create the cover through convergence so that the convergence part is inside the object.
Editing a Polygon Mesh
Adding Vertexes, Edges, and Faces from Vertexes and Edges
This function adds vertexes, edges, and faces from the vertexes and edges constituting a polygon mesh.
Adding a Vertex to Edges
1 Switch to Vertex editing mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Scissors.
3 Drag so that the position at which the edge vertex is to be added is included.
4 The vertex is added at the position included by the drag.
5 Edit the vertex and add the details.
Adding a Vertex and Edge Using a Vertex
1 Switch to Vertex editing mode.
2 While holding down the z Win or o Mac key, position the cursor to the vertex. When the + mark appears beside the cursor, perform dragging.
3 An edge of a length equal to the drag length is added in the drag direction, and a vertex is added to the end.
Adding an Edge and Face Between Vertexes
1 Switch to Vertex editing mode.
2 While holding down the z Win or o Mac key, position the cursor to the vertex. When the + mark appears beside the cursor, perform dragging.
3 Perform dragging up to the vertex connecting edges. When the ¢ mark appears beside the cursor, stop dragging.
4 The vertex is connected through the edges. If the edge connection forms a square or triangle, a face will be created.
Adding Vertices Edges, and Faces
This function adds vertices edges, and faces constituting a polygon mesh to enable the finer representation of an object.
Adding Vertexes
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Append Vertices.
3 Click the Viewport to add vertexes. Confirm the created vertexes in Vertex editing mode. Press the Enter Win or return Mac key to complete the creation process.
Adding Edges
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Append Edges.
3 Click the Viewport or control points to create edges connecting the clicked positions. Press the Enter Win or return Mac key to complete the creation process.
TIP
By clicking while holding down the C Win or 0 Mac key, you can specify the start point of an edge at a noncontinuous position.
Adding Faces
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Append Faces.
3 From Tool Parameters, specify the number of control points of the face to be added.
3-sided, 4-sided, and Unlimited from the left
4 Click the Viewport as many times as the specified number
of control points. If you have specified Unlimited, click the Viewport by the required number of times, and then press the Enter Win or return Mac key.
TIP
The two sides of the face change in the direction in which the control points are specified. For a polygon mesh, once you specify control points counterclock-wise, the visible face becomes the right side. If you specify the control points clockwise, the visible face becomes the reverse side.
Deleting Vertices, Edges, and Faces
This function deletes the vertices, edges, and faces constituting a polygon mesh.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the elements to be deleted. From Toolbox select Modify > Tools > Delete to delete them.
Deleting Vertexes
This function selects and deletes vertexes to be deleted in Vertex editing mode.
The vertices, edges including the vertexes, and face are deleted.
Deleting Edges
This function selects and deletes edges to be deleted in Edge editing mode.
The edges, vertexes including the edges, and face are deleted.
Deleting a Face
This function selects and deletes a face to be deleted in Face editing mode.
The face, vertexes constituting the face, and edges are deleted.
TIP
You can also delete elements using the Backspace or Delete Win or delete Mac key.
Selecting Elements Using Different Methods
This function selects the faces and edges of a polygon mesh according to predefined types found in the Tool Box. Use the tools accessed from Toolbox by selecting Modify > Mesh > Select group.
Selecting a Belt
This function selects continuous faces in a belt-shaped form. Moreover, if continuous edges are smooth on a sphere or the like, selecting one edge and then executing Belt allows you to select continuous edges.
1 Connect and select two faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Belt.
3 Continuous, belt-shaped faces are selected.
TIP
If continuous edges are not smooth on a box or the like, selecting two continuous edges and then executing Belt allows you to select continuous edges.
Selecting a Loop
This function selects edges that become the outer circumference of a selected face.
1 Select the faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Loop.
3 This selects the edges that will become the outer circumference of the selected face.
Selecting Continuous Faces
This function selects all the faces connected to the selected face.
1 Select the faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Continuous Surface.
3 The selected face and all the faces connected to it are selected.
Selecting Vertices and Edges with Options
This function selects overlapping vertices, an edge shared by multiple faces, or the like.
1 To select the items from Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Detect and then select the items from the pop-up menu.
2 The relevant vertexes, edges, and faces are selected.
Selecting the Same Plane
This function selects continuous faces that are in the same normal line direction as that of the selected face.
1 Select the faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Select Plane.
3 Those faces which are continuous in the same direction are selected.
Reversing Selected Elements
This function reverses the selected statuses of the vertexes, edges, and faces.
1 Select the vertexes, edges, and faces.
2 From Tool Box, select Modify > Mesh > Invert.
3 The selected statuses are reversed.
Deselecting the Selection
This function deselects the selection and restores the non-selected status.
1 Select the vertexes, edges, and faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Deselect.
3 The selection is deselected.
Extruding Faces
This function extrudes five types of face when you select Toolbox then Modify > Mesh > Edit > Bevel.
1 Select the faces to be extruded.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Bevel (1) and then select the extrusion mode from Tool Parameters (2).
Bevel: Offset
This function moves a face in the offset direction.
3 Select Tool Parameters > Offset.
4 Drag the Viewport to extrude faces. The faces are extruded if the Viewport is dragged up; while they are retreated if it is dragged down. At the same time, the excluded faces are reduced if dragged left; while they are enlarged if it is dragged right.
TIP
The drag operation for extrusion (dependent on up, down, left, or right movement) is common to other mesh tools.
Bevel: Extrude
This function extrudes faces in the offset direction.
3 From Tool Parameters, select Extrude.
4 Drag the Viewport to extrude faces.
Bevel: Duplicate
This function duplicates faces in the offset direction.
3 From Tool Parameters, select Duplicate.
4 Drag the Viewport to extrude faces.
Bevel: Bevel
This function extrudes faces individually in the offset direction.
3 From Tool Parameters, select Bevel.
4 Drag the Viewport to extrude faces.
Bevel: Detach
This function detaches faces in the offset direction.
3 From Tool Parameters, select Detach.
4 Drag the Viewport to extrude faces.
Copying a Face to Create a Mirrored Form
This function copies the selected face as a mirror-image, using the clicked point as the axis.
1 Select the face to be reversed.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Mirror.
3 Click the center of the mirror copy and drag in the reverse direction.
Copying the Face as Another Object
This function copies the face as another object in the same position.
1 Select the face to be copied.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Copy.
3 The selected face is copied as another face in the same position.
Cutting and Dividing the Face with a Drag Line
This function cuts and divides the face with a drag line.
1 Select the face to be cut
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Knife.
3 Drag the place to be cut.
4 The selected face is cut and divided in the dragged place.
Dividing Faces
This function divides a face into two to eight sections. Alternatively, it divides the face into triangle forms.
1 Select the face to be divided.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Divide and then select the number of divisions or triangle division from the popup menu.
- 4-Division
- Triangle Division
Aligning Vertices and Normal Lines
This function aligns the vertices. Moreover, it unifies the normal lines of a face.
Aligning Vertexes
This function aligns the vertices with the outermost specified position.
1 Select the vertexes, edges, and faces to be aligned.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Align and then select the alignment position from the popup menu.
- Align Left
- Align Right
- Align Center(Left/Right)
Making Vertices Converge at a Point
1 Select the vertices that converge at a point.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Align and then select Weld Vertices from the popup menu.
3 The other vertices converge at one of the selected vertexes. The vertices are not connected to one another.
Unifying Normal Lines
1 From the View Display popup menu in the upper-right corner of the Viewport, select Display and turn on Show Normal to display the normal lines.
2 Select the face on which the normal lines are to be unified.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Align and then select Unify Normals from the popup menu.
4 The normal line directions are unified.
Connecting Overlapping Vertices
This function merges overlapping vertices into one vertex.
1 Select the object containing overlapped vertices.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > merge vertices.
3 Click Tool Parameters > Apply to collect the overlapped vertexes.
Merging Multiple Objects into One
This function collects multiple polygon meshes into one.
1 Select the objects to collect.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Merge Objects.
3 Multiple polygon meshes are collected into one.
Merging Overlapping Faces
This function merges overlapping faces into one face. Alternatively, it merges two triangle polygons into a quad polygon.
1 Select the faces of the triangle polygons that are to be merged into quad polygons.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Merge Face and then select Merge Triangle from the popup menu.
3 The triangle polygons are collected into quad polygons.
TIP
Only the triangle polygons on the same plane are col-lected into quad polygons.
Reversing Faces
This function reverses the two sides of a face.
1 Select the faces to be reversed. Here, the normal lines are displayed to indicate the face directions.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Flip.
3 The selected faces are reversed.
Creating a Face on Vertices or Edges
This function creates a face having the selected vertices. Alternatively, it creates a face that connects two edges.
Creating a Face from Vertexes
1 Select the vertexes in the position at which a face is created.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Face.
3 A face is created containing the selected vertexes.
Creating a Face from Edges
1 Select two edges where a face is created.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Face to create the face connecting edges.
Displaying a Polygon Mesh with Rounded Corners
This function rounds the corners of a polygon mesh with subdivision surfaces.
1 Select the polygon mesh to be displayed with its corners rounded.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Subdiv.
3 The polygon mesh is displayed with its corners rounded. The vertex positions of the object remain unchanged.
4 If you click Subdiv again with the polygon mesh with rounded corners selected, the corner rounding method changes from the Catmull-Clark method to Doo-Sabin method. If you click Subdiv again, rounding is released.
TIP
You can adjust the intensity of rounding using Weight in the Object Info window. Moreover, you can change the corner rounding method from the Round Edge popup menu.
Using Other Editing Tools
Learn how to remove an edge shared by multiple faces, selects the same plane, performs movement by extrusion, extrudes edges, rearranges triangles, and performs edge loop slice.
This function separates three or more faces sharing one edge.
1 Select the faces sharing one edge.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Other and then select Remove Edge Shared by Multiple Faces from the popup menu.
3 An edge shared by three or more faces is removed to separate the faces. The figure below shows each face moved, so that you can easily see that the faces are separated.
Moving Faces by Extrusion
This function extrudes the selected faces in the drag direction.
1 Select the faces.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Other and then select Extrude + Move from the popup menu.
3 Drag to extrude the faces.
Extruding Edges
This function extrudes the selected edges in the drag direction.
1 Select the edges.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Other and then select Extrude Edge from the popup menu.
3 Drag to extrude the edges.
Rearranging Triangles
This function rearranges the division positions of the quad polygons, each of which is divided into triangles.
1 Select the diagonals of the triangle polygons to be rearranged.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Other and then select Swap Triangle from the popup menu.
3 The division positions of the triangle polygons are rearranged.
Performing Edge Loop Slice
This function divides edges. If square faces are stretched out, the edges are continuously divided by the same ratio.
1 Select the object whose edges are to be divided.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Other and then select Edge Loop Slice from the popup menu.
3 If you click on an edge of the polygon mesh, the edge is divided at the clicked point.
Connecting Faces Through a Bridge
This function creates faces used to connect distant faces.
1 Select two faces containing edges so that three or more vertexes are included.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Mesh > Bridge.
3 The faces connecting the two faces are created.
4 From Tool Parameters, specify the number of divisions (1) and then select Apply (2).
Editing Extruded Objects and Revolved Objects
Changing the Extrusion Direction, Amount and Rotation Angle
You can select the extruded object or revolved object to be edited, display the Object Info window, and specify, as a numerical value, the extrusion direction of the extruded object and the rotation angle of the revolved object.
Extrusion Amount of the Extruded Object
Enter the X, Y, and Z values, in this order, from the left in the Direction text box of Extrude of the Object Info window.
Start and End Angles of the Revolved Object
Enter the start and end angles in the Begin and End text boxes of Revolve of the Object Info window.
Editing Link Objects
Editing Link Objects
Editing Link objects is possible only when editing using Move and Copy under Toolbox. The result of editing the master object is reflected on all the child link objects.
Two link objects are created from the master part.
If any change is made to the master part, it is reflected on the link objects.
Reversed Link Object
The master object is on the right and the reversed link object is on the left.
If you edit the master object, the result is reflected on the link object on the left with its reversed status retained.
Setting Attributes in the Browser
The setting of attributes for the master object on the Browser is given priority over that for the link object. If Normal (inheritance) is set for the master object, the attribute setting for the link object is enabled. If On or Off is set for the master object, the attribute setting for the link object is disabled. This results in the following reflection.
The master object is on the left and the link object is on the right.
If Rendering for the master object is Off, both the master and link objects are not rendered even if the link object is On.
If the master object is On, both the master and link objects are rendered even if the link object is Off.
If the pedestal of the master object is On, the pedestal of the link object is rendered even if the link object is Off.
If the pedestal of the master object is Off, the pedestals of both the master and link objects are not rendered even if the link object is On.
Other Editing Functions
Morphing Objects with the Magnet Tool
You can drag the vicinity of the drag point with the magnet tool so that it rises smoothly.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Magnet.
3 From Tool Parameters, select the shape that rises when dragged (1) and specify the morph range in Extent Area (2). If you wish to morph the entire object without selecting vertexes, uncheck the Active Vertices Only checkbox (3).
4 Switch the Work Plane Controller to the face in the drag direction (1) and drag the object to make it rise (2).
TIP
You can change the value of Extent Area by right click-ing Win or while holding down the c key.
Displaying a Mirror Object Axis-Reversed
This function always displays the mirror object axis-reversed by mirroring. Changes in the original object are immediately reflected on the mirror image. The mirror image is displayed as a list other than the wireframe format.
1 Select the object to be mirrored.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Mirror.
3 Select the target axis from Tool Parameters (1) and check Mirror.(2).
4 The mirror object is displayed axis-reversed.
TIP
The mirror object is not displayed in wireframe format. It is convenient to edit the mirror object in shading/tex-ture view mode.
Aligning Vertexes
This function aligns the selected vertexes, control points, and line handles to the specified position.
1 Switch to Modify mode.
2 Select the control points to be aligned.
3 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools > Align Vertices.
4 From Tool Parameters, specify the targets to be aligned and the alignment type (1).
The specified coordinate axis is checked and the coordinate is displayed in the text box. If you have selected Align Max X, X is checked and the maximum coordinate 600 is displayed in the text box (2).
5 If you click Apply, the control points align to the specified coordinate.
Left figure: Alignment of only points (Maximum of X) Right figure: Alignment of points and handles (Maximum of X)
TIP
You can align elements to any coordinate by checking X, Y, or Z or by changing the numerical values in the text box.
Performing Boolean Operations on Objects
This function combines two objects through Boolean operations or cuts a one-sided object with the other one.
1 Select the object that cuts the other one.
2 From Toolbox, select Modify > Tools >Boolean Operation.
3 Select the object to be cut.
4 From Tool Parameters, select the Boolean operation (1) and click Apply (2).
Target cut by source
Source cut by target
Source surface cut by target
Boolean all parts in target
Target union source
Source surface intersect target
Target surface cut by source
Boolean all parts in source
Target intersect source
Target surface intersect source
Boolean all parts
