Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Lathe
The Lathe tool lets you take something
you've created and “spin” it around to cre-
ate an object. It creates geometry from
either polygons or curves. (Lathe is some-
times called Sweep in other 3D packages.)
1. Create a two-dimensional disc some-
where to the
left
of X=0.
2.
Select
Multiply | Extend | Lathe
to
activate the Lathe tool. Click in the
Back viewport, as shown in Figure
5-12, and drag straight down. (The axis
you are creating defines the angle
around which your disc will be
“lathed.”)
Figure 5-11
Note
In addition to using the Numeric window to
change the Lathe settings, you can drag the
root handle around to move the center of
the effect. You can drag the rotation handles
to specify where you want the “lathing” to
start and stop.
Press the <Left Arrow> to
reduce
the
number of segments; press the <Right
Arrow> to
increase
the number of segments.
Note
Sometimes Lathe creates the new polys with
their normals facing the “wrong” way. Be
sure to check this every time after lathing
and flip the polygons if necessary. (Even if
you're using a double-sided surface on your
polys, it's always a good idea to have your
normals facing the “right” way.)
