Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Classified Intel
Both the front and the back fender that we just created had a paricular aspect that no
other patch has: Poles. At this point of the modeling task, we need to idenify and create the
appropriate poles for this model; in this case we only ideniied a few of them. The reason
for thinking about topology so early is because this is the best ime for it: Having just a few
polygons to work with makes it very easy to work on such technicaliies. It's beter than
waiing unil the model has so much geometry that it becomes very diicult to perform such
important modiicaions.
The nice thing about topology is that once it's done correctly, the remaining job is mostly
about ine-tuning and exploring the subtle variaions of the shape that will enrich the
final model. If a bad topology is in place, the final, subdivided version of the model will
hardly look nice. Moreover, since the surface we are modeling has certain features such as
coninuity (the space between doors is a simple example of that) and the subtle way that
it bends, we deinitely need to exploit the properies of the subdivision surfaces algorithm.
Good poles and face loops are the key to get a good shape with just a few polygons, and also
to ensure the proper finishing of the subdivided version of the model.
Creating the Doors
Now that we are done with the basic, general shape of the object, it's ime to start working
on the doors, more precisely, on creaing frames and windows, and adding the necessary
detail for them to look nicely beveled when subdivided. In case we have a subdivision
surfaces modiier acive on our object, let's temporarily disable it to do our work without
worrying about it for now.
Engage Thrusters
1. Let's start working on the first door. The first step is fairly easy; Just select the upper
horizontal edge of the door (user view), extrude it, and move it a bit in the negaive
direcion of the X axis (front or top view).
2.
Now let's take a look at the strip going up from the side of the windshield, and then
going alongside the roof. From that strip, select the lower verices, from the irst
at the left-hand side (right view) through the one that is exactly over the roof post
that separates the window of the first door from the window of the second. Once
selected, duplicate them and press
Escape
to avoid moving the duplicates (they'll
be located at the exact same place where the original verices are located). Make
sure to keep the verices selected and extrude them down (right view) to cover the
thickness of the window frame (we must use the blueprint for guidance on this).
Once the extrusion is moved down, we can just work on the individual verices,
tweaking them to form the shape nicely. Make sure to tweak them not only in the
right view, but also in other views, so that it has the correct curvature needed.
