Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 5-20: Using
Smooth Scale or
Move Plus on an
entire object can
produce some
interesting results.
(Remember Dig
Dug?)
Rail Extrude—Single Rail
Rail Extrude is a little like those “Leather-
man” tools that are a combination screw-
driver, pliers, scissors, awl, penknife, and so
on. Rail Extrude is one little tool, but it
does a whole lot of things. Let's start with
one of its simple uses and move on from
there.
Have you ever wanted to create one of
those “tunnel fly-throughs”? Follow these
steps:
1.
smooth it out:
Objects\Chapter05\
RailExtrude_Raw.lwo
.)
Note
Notice the funky little diamond thing at one
end of the curve in Figure 5-21. That is the
end I started sketching first. This is the
start
point
of the curve, as far as LightWave's Rail
Extrude is concerned. The circle we create in
just a moment should be right at this place if
we want the extrusion to follow this curve as
we intend.
You can switch the end LightWave thinks
of as its start point by flipping the curve the
same way you would flip a polygon (<
f
>).
Grab the Sketch tool, and draw a rail
(curve) you'd like to have your tunnel
follow. (You can load mine, if you like.
It's had some points cut from it to help
Figure 5-21
