Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
P oint Modeling Tools
Point modeling, also known as poly-by-poly modeling, is an alternative
approach to box modeling that is all about creating each polygon in the
proper place to begin with. It has a similar feel to 2D art, where an artist draws
a character piece by piece, one detail at a time. This approach can feel more
technical in nature than box modeling, and is often used with mechanical
models or when working from reference material.
V iewports and Viewport Images
While all modelers typically work using some kind of reference material to
inform how a model will take shape, when using point modeling techniques,
the reference images become indispensible and a more integral part of the
modeling process. Modelers will often gather various reference photos and
create their own composite image of a front and side view to use in the
modeling process as in Figure 3.12.
These images are loaded into a Silo scene by i rst navigating to an orthogonal
viewport camera (references are not visible in perspective mode) and
selecting
Display
>
Set Viewport Image
.
●
Try this by loading the two reference images in Figure 3.12 in the front
(press
2
to enable) and right (press
6
to enable) views of a Silo scene. The
images are included with the downloadable in the Chapter 3 folder as
grey_alien_front.jpg
and
grey_alien_side.jpg.
You will want to save the i les to a local drive before starting; the images are
not saved within a Silo i le, so if they are moved, or if the Silo i le is moved,
they will no longer be visible. You might also want to use the
Vertical Split
Layout
so you can see both the front and side views at once (Figure 3.13).
FIG. 3.12
A front and side view created by an artist in preparation for a modeling project. (Artwork courtesy
of Glen Southern.)
