Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Take a moment to examine the structure of the finished bottle. Notice that the bottle goes from a square
shape at the bottom to a rounded shape on top. Additionally, the shape is twisted so that the sides at the base
of the model complete half a rotation and end up on the opposite side at the top. Finally, the shape roughly
tapers from wide at the bottom to significantly smaller at the top, with a few variations along the way.
To successfully build this model, you need to start with a cube that fits the dimensions, and the subdi-
visions that enable the cube to be twisted without causing polygons to become so distorted that they will
not render cleanly. The beginning cube is roughly four times the size in the y dimension as it is the x and
z. Adding enough subdivisions to the y-axis will be key to manipulating this form into the desired shape. In
this case, I used 40 subdivisions on the y-axis. Figure 5-24 shows the basic cage for the model. After you
have created the cube, drop the Cube tool and enable a Linear falloff. This falloff will be used in the next
several steps.
Figure 5-24: This cube will be manipulated into the finished bottle.
With the Linear falloff active, set Auto Size to the y-axis and then click Reverse so that the wide end
of the falloff is at the top of the model. This same falloff can be used to twist the object and taper it. Later
this falloff will be used to identify the weight map for sharpening the edges gradually. To create the twisted
form, you could use the Twist tool (located in the Deform section). However, because all of these additional
tools are merely combinations of simple tools, you will create the twist by hand.
1. Rotate the perspective view so that the work plane snaps to the ground plane. You will be using the
Axis Rotate tool to perform the twist, and this tool bases its orientation on the work plane.
 
 
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