Subdividing and Smoothing

lisa · 15th December 2008, 11:02 PM

One trick for handling that is to start with a cube, and then use Vertex > Smooth Shape to round the cube off until you have something roughly sphere-shaped to start.

A better way, however, is to use a cube or cylinder to build a single slice of the shape, then extrude in either direction to get the rest of the shape. If you keep your cube very low poly (maybe three or four slices, max) then it will become very smooth\round when you turn subdivisions on, especially if you crank up the subdivision level all the way.

For something like your airplane fuselage, I'd start at the thickest part and build a ring representing just that slice. Once you're happy with it, grab the surfaces and extude forward and to the rear to build each additional slice.

Here's a quick video showing what I mean:
http://www.independentdeveloper.com/files/plane.wmv

Chuck Bodeen · 16th December 2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks, Lisa.
The movie really helped!

Chuck Bodeen · 22nd December 2008, 04:41 PM

Hi Lisa. I'm back with a much nicer result.
I started with a 2x2x2 cube and smoothed it twice (so far) and then moved vertices to make the cross-sections better. It's still sharp on top because that's where the wings will attach.

Chuck Bodeen · 22nd December 2008, 05:29 PM

Hello again!
Now I'm working on the tail boom.
I have made it by copying the aft cross-section of the body and then scaling and smoothing the section at different points.
Can you give me a hint as to how to avoid the missing surfaces and obvious places where I located the cross-sections?

thanks

chuck

lisa · 23rd December 2008, 06:40 PM

Can you post a wireframe?

It's hard to tell from the picture, but I think you've got internal faces in your shape--that sometimes happens when you extrude depending on what checkboxes you've got clicked. If you go inside the shape and delete all the surfaces that can't be seen from the outside, the whole thing should become smooth.

Chuck Bodeen · 23rd December 2008, 07:19 PM

I have never made a wire frame in AC3D.
I guess now is the time to learn how.

thanks

chuck

Malekovits · 24th December 2008, 11:10 AM

divide surfaces, then subdivide...

Chuck Bodeen · 25th December 2008, 09:42 PM

Hi Lisa,
I understand wireframes now. I thought they were something special.
I lost the ac file I was working on and have now progressed quite a bit. So I'll get back on this thread when I have more sophisticate problems.

thanks for your help

chuck

lisa · 5th January 2009, 05:24 PM

Oh, I just meant post a picture either in wireframe mode (w on the keyboard) or with the surface lines turned on. It's easier to see what's going on with the surfaces visible.

15th December 2008, 11:02 PM	#1
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing One trick for handling that is to start with a cube, and then use Vertex > Smooth Shape to round the cube off until you have something roughly sphere-shaped to start. A better way, however, is to use a cube or cylinder to build a single slice of the shape, then extrude in either direction to get the rest of the shape. If you keep your cube very low poly (maybe three or four slices, max) then it will become very smooth\round when you turn subdivisions on, especially if you crank up the subdivision level all the way. For something like your airplane fuselage, I'd start at the thickest part and build a ring representing just that slice. Once you're happy with it, grab the surfaces and extude forward and to the rear to build each additional slice. Here's a quick video showing what I mean: http://www.independentdeveloper.com/files/plane.wmv Attached Thumbnails

16th December 2008, 12:17 PM	#2
Chuck Bodeen Member Advanced member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 33	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Thanks, Lisa. The movie really helped! __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is probably not the best hobby for you.

22nd December 2008, 04:41 PM	#3
Chuck Bodeen Member Advanced member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 33	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Hi Lisa. I'm back with a much nicer result. I started with a 2x2x2 cube and smoothed it twice (so far) and then moved vertices to make the cross-sections better. It's still sharp on top because that's where the wings will attach. Attached Images __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is probably not the best hobby for you.

22nd December 2008, 05:29 PM	#4
Chuck Bodeen Member Advanced member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 33	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Hello again! Now I'm working on the tail boom. I have made it by copying the aft cross-section of the body and then scaling and smoothing the section at different points. Can you give me a hint as to how to avoid the missing surfaces and obvious places where I located the cross-sections? thanks chuck Attached Thumbnails __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is probably not the best hobby for you.

23rd December 2008, 06:40 PM	#5
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Can you post a wireframe? It's hard to tell from the picture, but I think you've got internal faces in your shape--that sometimes happens when you extrude depending on what checkboxes you've got clicked. If you go inside the shape and delete all the surfaces that can't be seen from the outside, the whole thing should become smooth.

23rd December 2008, 07:19 PM	#6
Chuck Bodeen Member Advanced member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 33	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing I have never made a wire frame in AC3D. I guess now is the time to learn how. thanks chuck __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is probably not the best hobby for you.

24th December 2008, 11:10 AM	#7
Malekovits Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Greece Posts: 164	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing divide surfaces, then subdivide...

25th December 2008, 09:42 PM	#8
Chuck Bodeen Member Advanced member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 33	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Hi Lisa, I understand wireframes now. I thought they were something special. I lost the ac file I was working on and have now progressed quite a bit. So I'll get back on this thread when I have more sophisticate problems. thanks for your help chuck __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is probably not the best hobby for you.

5th January 2009, 05:24 PM	#9
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Subdividing and Smoothing Oh, I just meant post a picture either in wireframe mode (w on the keyboard) or with the surface lines turned on. It's easier to see what's going on with the surfaces visible.