9

Connect Compound Object 329
Vertex colors, on the other hand, interpolate
smoothly.
Notes:
• You can use Connect on objects that have
multiple sets of holes. Connect will do its best
to match up the holes between the two objects.
• The mapping coordinates assig ned to the
origina l two objects are maintained to t he
extent possible. You mig ht find irregularities in
the bridged area, depending on the complexity
and difference between the two original sets
of mapping coordinates and the types of
geometry.
Pr ocedur es
To cr ea t e a Conne ct object :
1.
Create two m esh objects.
2. Delete faces on each to create holes where you
want to bridge the objects.
Position the objects so that the normals of
the deleted faces of one object point toward
the normals of the deleted faces of the other
object (assuming that deleted faces could have
normals).
3. Selectoneoftheobjects.OntheCreatepanel>
Geometry > Compound Object Type rollout,
click Connect.
4. Click the Pick Operand button, and then select
the other object.
5. Faces are generated connecting the holes in the
two objects.
6. Adjust the connection with the various options.
Ex ample: To connect t wo cy linder s:
1.
Create a cylinder with a radius of 15 and a
height of 30. Use the default settings for the
remaining parameters.
2. Create a second cylinder centered on the first
w ith a radius of 30, a height of 30, and 13 sides.
(Thefewersidesaretodemonstratethemesh
interpolation in the connection.)
3. Move the first, narrower c y linder straight up
alongZsoitsbottomcapisabout15units
abovethetopcapofthelargercylinder.
4. Convert b oth cy linders to editable meshes.
5. Delete the lower cap of the upper cylinder, and
the upper cap of the bottom cylinder. (Hint: Go
to Editable Mesh (Polygon) mode, select each
end in t urn, and then press the
Delete key.)
6. Exit sub-object mode, select the lower cylinder,
and click Connect.
7. Click the Pick Operand button, and then click
the upper cylinder.
New faces are c reated that span the openings in
the two cylinders.
Ex ample continued: To tr y out some options a nd
create animation:
1.
Go to the Modify panel and increase the
Segments spinner to 5 or more.
As the segments increase, the connection
becomes cur ved.
2. Set the Tension spinner to 0 to straighten the
connecting surface, increase it to 1, and then
return it to 0.5.
3. Try different combinations of the Bridge and
Ends options.
4. Select the upper cylinder, turn on the Auto
Keybutton,andapplyvarioustransformsat
different fra mes.
5. Play the animation.