Defining surfaces and other new questions....

lisa · 15th January 2009, 02:40 PM

Ah, got ya! Ok. Finally just clicked what I think you're trying to build.

You've almost got it. Here's what you need to do:

- Do as you are presently, and make your four-point polygon
- Subdivide three times
- Make sure your curve is as you want it, then click Object > Commit Subdivision
- Under surface type, click Poly

That should give you a tear-drop shape that's filled in... since it was a polyline not a polygon, you don't need to use create convex object because the surface already exists.

[EDIT: little clarification since I know we've been talking about creating surfaces all along... if it's just a polyline, not extruded, it's effectively a 2D shape. AC3D allows any number of sides in a surface, so practically any 2D shape can be treated as a surface. If your shape was 3D, you'd like need to use convex shape or ordered surface to fill in the surfaces. I hope that makes sense, I don't think I'm explaining it very well.]

Lucky1 · 17th January 2009, 01:58 PM

Thank you! That helped immensely!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

[EDIT: little clarification since I know we've been talking about creating surfaces all along... if it's just a polyline, not extruded, it's effectively a 2D shape. AC3D allows any number of sides in a surface, so practically any 2D shape can be treated as a surface. If your shape was 3D, you'd like need to use convex shape or ordered surface to fill in the surfaces. I hope that makes sense, I don't think I'm explaining it very well.]

No problem, I understand.

Speaking as someone really new to this (like that isn't obvious) it would really be good if the terms used were clearly defined somewhere. To a newcomer we don't even know what the difference is between a "Polygon" and a "Polyline" you know?
There are a lot of terms new to me. If you have a link to where they're described feel free to post it.
I've printed out the manual but it's not really in there.

I am going to work on my model some more and see what I come against next.
Right now I'm going through my model to "Snap Together" a bunch of Vertecies I want to act together.
So I'll let you know how I come along.

Thanks again!
Wes

lisa · 18th January 2009, 06:34 PM

You're most welcome!

Unfortunately I don't have a link for a really comprehensive 3D terminology glossary, but here's a couple that aren't bad:
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/downlo...world_glossary
http://www.avsim.com/fsbench/glossary.htm

Looking forward to seeing your model when it's ready.

Lucky1 · 25th January 2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks for those links Lisa, I was waiting for another question to come along before posting again.

My next question is this:
I have an involved line in my drawing, and I would like to add Subdivisions on
one segment only. How can I do that? It always subdivides the whole line.

For example, if I were to draw an "L" using three vertecies, how could I sudivide
say only the vertical line?

Thanks!
Wes

Ham · 27th January 2009, 05:28 AM

Select two vertices, ie, the line.

Command or Control + SHIFT +"I"
or under the menus
Vertex > Insert Vertex

This will create a single vertice at the center of those points.

Should do the trick for ya.

Lucky1 · 27th January 2009, 10:08 AM

Sorry, but not really.

I inserted the vertex you mentioned, but I want to pull that to the left
for example, and then curve that line. But if I choose Subdivide then,
it will subdivide both the vertical and horizontal lines. I want the horizontal
line to stay straight and be unaffected by subdivisions.

Wes

lisa · 27th January 2009, 05:13 PM

Create it as a separate object (you can still snap the vertices to keep the placement dead-on)
-OR- make your curve and commit subdivisions first, then add the straight segment.

15th January 2009, 02:40 PM	#1
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... Ah, got ya! Ok. Finally just clicked what I think you're trying to build. You've almost got it. Here's what you need to do: - Do as you are presently, and make your four-point polygon - Subdivide three times - Make sure your curve is as you want it, then click Object > Commit Subdivision - Under surface type, click Poly That should give you a tear-drop shape that's filled in... since it was a polyline not a polygon, you don't need to use create convex object because the surface already exists. [EDIT: little clarification since I know we've been talking about creating surfaces all along... if it's just a polyline, not extruded, it's effectively a 2D shape. AC3D allows any number of sides in a surface, so practically any 2D shape can be treated as a surface. If your shape was 3D, you'd like need to use convex shape or ordered surface to fill in the surfaces. I hope that makes sense, I don't think I'm explaining it very well.] Last edited by lisa; 15th January 2009 at 02:43 PM.

18th January 2009, 06:34 PM	#3
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... You're most welcome! Unfortunately I don't have a link for a really comprehensive 3D terminology glossary, but here's a couple that aren't bad: http://www.computerarts.co.uk/downlo...world_glossary http://www.avsim.com/fsbench/glossary.htm Looking forward to seeing your model when it's ready.

25th January 2009, 05:37 PM	#4
Lucky1 Junior Member Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... Thanks for those links Lisa, I was waiting for another question to come along before posting again. My next question is this: I have an involved line in my drawing, and I would like to add Subdivisions on one segment only. How can I do that? It always subdivides the whole line. For example, if I were to draw an "L" using three vertecies, how could I sudivide say only the vertical line? Thanks! Wes Last edited by Lucky1; 25th January 2009 at 07:39 PM.

27th January 2009, 05:28 AM	#5
Ham Member Expert member Join Date: May 2006 Location: international Posts: 96	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... Select two vertices, ie, the line. Command or Control + SHIFT +"I" or under the menus Vertex > Insert Vertex This will create a single vertice at the center of those points. Should do the trick for ya.

27th January 2009, 10:08 AM	#6
Lucky1 Junior Member Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... Sorry, but not really. I inserted the vertex you mentioned, but I want to pull that to the left for example, and then curve that line. But if I choose Subdivide then, it will subdivide both the vertical and horizontal lines. I want the horizontal line to stay straight and be unaffected by subdivisions. Wes

27th January 2009, 05:13 PM	#7
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Defining surfaces and other new questions.... Create it as a separate object (you can still snap the vertices to keep the placement dead-on) -OR- make your curve and commit subdivisions first, then add the straight segment.