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154 Chapter 5: Creating Geometry
Using the Modify Panel (page 1–499)
Using the Modifier Stack (page 1–502)
Editing the Stack (page 1–504)
Modify ing at the Sub-Object Level (page 1–506)
Using the Stack at the Sub-Object Level (page
1–508)
Modifying Multiple Objects (page 1–509)
How Instanced Modifiers Work (page 1–511)
Transforms,Modifiers,andObjectDataFlow(page
1–494)
Varying the Parameters
Unlike physical objects, with a fixed shape and
size, you can change the creation parameters of
objects and shapes to dramatically alter topology.
Herearesomeexamplesofchangesyoucanmake:
• Turnaconeintoafour-sidedpyramidby
reducing the number of s ides and turning the
Smooth option off.
• Slice any c ircular object as if it were a pie.
• Animate almost all creation parameters, and
interactively change their settings during
animation playback.
• Render splin es directly at any assigned width.
• Brea k, detach, and divide wall segments.
• Change the number of risers without affecting
theoverallriseofthestairs.
Colla psing Primitives to B ase G eometr y
You can collapse a geometric primitive or shape to
oneofavarietyofbasegeometrictypesonceyou
no longer need access to its creation p ar ameters.
For example, you can convert any standard
primitive to an editable mesh (page 1–996), editable
poly (page 1–1022), editable patch (page 1–968),or
NURBS (page 1–1091) object, and you can convert
a spline shape to an editable mesh, editable spline
(page 1–289), or NURBS object. The easiest way
to collapse an object is to select it, right-click it,
and choose a "Convert to" option from the quad
menu > Transform quadrant. This lets you use
explicit editing methods with the object, such as
transforming vertices. You can also use the Modify
panel to collapse a primitive.
Ma pping Coordinates
MostGeometryobjectshaveanoptionfor
generating mapping coordinates. Objects need
these mapping coordinates if you plan to apply
amappedmaterialtothem. Mappedmaterials
include a wide range of rendered effects, from
2D bitmaps to reflections and refractions. See
Mapping Coordinates (page 2–1405) and Using
Maps to Enhance a Material (page 2–1403).If
mapping coordinates have a lready been applied to
an object, the check box for this feature is turned
on.
Usi ng the Crea te Panel
TheCreatepanelprovidesthecontrolsforcreating
objects and adjusting their parameters.
ToaccesstheCreatepanel:
1.
Click t he Create tab in the command
panels (page 3–756).
By default, this panel is open when you start the
program. If the command panel isn’t visible,
choose it from the Customize Display right-click
menu (page 3–787).
2. Click an object type to display its Parameters
rollout.
The Creation Process
The actual creation of objects is accomplished
with a single click of the mouse, a drag, or some