Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
scaled down. Simply using the Scale tool here results in a tiny replica of the large pillar, so just move the top
section downward and adjust the bottom section. If you look closely, you will see that the entire midsection
of the pillar is made up of a single loop of very tall polygons. This type of construction makes it easy to
adjust the height of the object while keeping the desired proportions in place. To scale the column down to
size, do the following:
1.
Right-click at a point in the middle but off to one side of the column.
2.
Drag over the top and down to the opposite side before releasing the right mouse button. The result-
ing selection will contain the top section to the point where it meets with the main body of the column.
3.
Use the Move tool to drag this selection down 2.5 m on the
y
-axis.
4.
Invert the selection by pressing the [ key.
5.
Decrease the selection by using the Shift+down-arrow command to remove the midsection of the
column from the selection.
6.
Use the Scale tool perpendicular to the ground plane to adjust the size of the bottom of the column
(a scale of 82.5% will keep the pillar itself straight).
After these adjustments are made, this simple piece of stock content becomes an excellent basis for the
scene. This object is at relatively low resolution, and the rounded sections will show some faceting (vis-
ible polygons), so you will need to convert some sections to subdivision surfaces. Start by double-clicking
the rounded section directly underneath the top of the pedestal. Pressing Shift+Tab will put this section into
PSub mode.
Note that there are a few sections that become problematic, as shown in
Figure 5-8
.
The first area of con-
cern is the straight area between the rounded ends. Select two vertical polygons that run around this section
and run the Loop Slice tool (Alt/Option+C). Set the Count to 2 and the mode to Symmetry. Click in the
viewport and drag until the new edges are as far away from the center as they can get (0.5% and 99.5%).
This will add some needed sharpness to this section without causing a heavy crease.
Figure 5-8:
The shape of the pedestal before adding edges to sharpen the surface
