Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Retopology Tools
Topology is the overall l ow of polygons in a given model, and retopology
tools help to rebuild poor or unusable topology. Topology can be unusable
either because a mesh is too dense and detailed or because it is l awed in
some way, such as having poorly dei ned edges for animation. The goal is to
make a new object with the same basic shape, but better or more ei cient
edge l ow and geometry. Retopology is a necessary step in many modeling
workl ows and, given that Silo developers have strived to build the best tools
for modeling, retopology tools are a natural extension of the basic Silo toolset.
In this section, we talk about
Snapping
and the
Topology
and
Surface tools
.
These, combined with the basic point modeling techniques discussed earlier
in the chapter, provide many options for the retopology workl ow. The basic
concept is creating new geometry following the surface of the original, and
any tools that will get you there are fair game.
Surface Snapping
The most important component to the retopology workl ow—something
common to pretty much any retopology technique—is surface snapping.
●
To enable surface snapping, the original model (that needs to be
retopologized) must be unselected in the scene.
●
Then select Selection>Snapping>Surface Snapping or Alt`.
Surface Snapping;
Selection
Snapping
Surface Snapping ; Alt
`;
This will allow you to build a new shape, using any number of tools, that
stays connected to the existing model, but will be a separate model in the
scene.
T opology Tool
The
Topology tool
is one of the simplest and most intuitive tools in the Silo
toolkit. It allows you to draw new geometry onto a mesh as though you were
using paper and pencil. To try this, open the i le containing the example
model we created in the section on sculpting. You can i nd this i le with the
downloadable material in chapter3/retopology sib.
Once you open the i le, you'll notice we have used the
Rei ne Control Mesh
command (
Subdivision
>
Rei ne Control Mesh
) so that all of the organic
changes we made are now rel ected in the base mesh (Figure 3.24). We can
use this rei ned mesh as a basis for our retopology work.
●
To get started, engage the Topology tool by selecting Create Topology
Tool or Control T.
●
From there, just draw a few lines where you'd like the polygons to l ow. For
example, try making a ridge down the top fold in the mesh and a row of
polygons on either side (Figure 3.24a-b).
