Exploring 3D in Flash - Flash 3D: Animation, Interactivity, and Games - page 9

Step 5: Create the top isometric
Turn the top view back on so that it can be seen. Unlike the other views, the top view
must be skewed both horizontally and vertically. The question is, how much of each do
we need? It's not really obvious, but with a little bit of thought we can work it out.
We have seen from the previous views that we can transform horizontal lines up to the
left and right by entering vertical skew values of +30 and -30 degrees respectively. For
the top view, we will need to use a vertical skew value of 30 degrees to match up with
the front view.
To transform the vertical lines of the top view, we need to do the opposite and skew
horizontally. The 90-degree vertical lines of the top view must be parallel to the hori-
zontal lines of the side views, which are now at a 30-degree angle. The vertical lines of
the top view must then transform a net amount of 60 degrees to match up. How do we
know if it is +60 or -60 degrees? The small diagrams in the Transform palette indicate
the direction of positive skew angles. In Flash, positive values of angles are measured
clockwise.
We now have the information we need to skew correctly. Use the arrow selection tool
to select the top view. In the Transform palette, select the Skew option and enter 60
degrees for the horizontal skew and 30 degrees for the vertical skew. Move the top
isometric into position with the rest of the drawing as shown in Figure 1.10, and you
are done with the exercise. Save your file as desk_Isometric.fla .
Figure 1.10 The top isometric with horizontal and vertical skews