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1062 Chapter 9: Surface Modeling
Thecagedisplaystheoriginalstructureoftheeditedobject.
Typically this feature is used in conjunction w ith
the NU RMS Subdivision feature, or with the
MeshSmooth modifier (page 1–722),becauseitlets
you easily toggle visibility of the unsmoothed base
object while simultaneously viewing the smoothed
result, but it works with any modifier. When used
with a modifier, turn on Show End Result to make
Show Cage available.
Tip: Show Cage is particularly helpful when used
with the Symmetry modifier (page 1–861).
Display group
Iterations—Sets the number of iterations u sed to
smooth the poly object. Each iteration generates
allpolygonsusingtheverticescreatedfromthe
previous iteration. Range=0 to 10.
WhentheIterationscheckboxintheRendergroup
(see below) is off, this setting controls iterations
both in the viewports and at render time. When
thecheckboxison,thissettingcontrolsiterations
only in the viewports.
Tip: Use caution when increasing the number of
iterations. The number of vertices and polygons
in an object (and thus the c alculation time) can
increase as much as four times for each iteration.
Applying four iterations to even a moderately
complex object can take a long time to calculate.
Yo u c a n p r e s s
Esc to stop calculation and revert
to the previous iteration setting.
Smoothness—Determines how sharp a corner
must be before polygons are added to smooth it. A
value of 0 .0 prevents the creation of any polygons.
A value of 1.0 adds polygons to all vertices even if
theylieonaplane.
When the Smoothness check box in the Render
group(seebelow)isoff,thissettingcontrols
smoothness b oth in the viewports and at render
time. When the check box is on, t his setting
cont rols smoothness only in the v iewports.
Render group
Applies a different number of smoothing itera tions
and/or a different Smoothness value to the object
at render time.
Tip: Use a low number of iterations and/or a lower
Sharpness value for modeling, and higher values
for rendering. This lets you work quickly with
a low-resolution object in the v iewports, while
producing a smoother object for rendering.
Iterations—Lets you choose a different number of
smoothingiterationstobeappliedtotheobjectat
rendertime.TurnonIterations,andthenusethe
spinnertoitsrighttosetthenumberofiterations.
Smoothness—Lets you choose a different
Smoothness value to be applied to the object at
rendertime.TurnonSmoothness,andthenuse
the spinner to its right to set the s moothness value.
Separate By group
Smoothing Gr oups—Prevents the creation of new
polygons at edges b etween faces that don’t share at
least one smoothing group.
Materials—Prevents the creation of new polygons
for edges between faces that do not share Material
IDs.