Page 310 - Kitab3DsMax

Part III: Modeling Basics

Editable objects do not have this flexibility of parameters, but they deal with subobjects and editing func-
tions. The editable objects include Editable Spline, Mesh, Poly, Patch, and NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational
B-Splines). Editable objects are listed in the Modifier Stack with the word Editable in front of their base
object (except for NURBS objects, which are simply called NURBS Surfaces). For example, an editable mesh
object is listed as Editable Mesh in the Modifier Stack.

Note
Actually, NURBS objects are a different beast altogether. When created using the Create menu, they are paramet-
ric objects, but after you select the Modify panel, they are editable objects with a host of subobject modes and
editing functions. n
Editable objects aren’t created; instead, they are converted or modified from another object. When a primi-
tive object is converted to a different object type like an Editable Mesh or a NURBS object, it loses its para-
metric nature and can no longer be changed by altering its base parameters. Editable objects do have their
advantages, though. You can edit subobjects such as vertices, edges, and faces of meshes—all things that
you cannot edit for a parametric object. Each editable object type has a host of functions that are specific to
its type. These functions are discussed in the coming chapters.

Note
Several modifiers enable you to edit subobjects while maintaining the parametric nature of an object. These
include Edit Patch, Edit Mesh, Edit Poly, and Edit Spline. n

Max includes the following model types:
l Primitives: Basic parametric objects such as cubes, spheres, and pyramids. The primitives are
divided into two groups consisting of Standard and Extended Primitives. The AEC Objects are
also considered primitive objects. A complete list of primitives is covered in Chapter 5, “Creating
and Editing Primitive Objects.”
l Shapes and splines: Simple vector shapes such as circles, stars, arcs, and text, and splines such
as the Helix. These objects are fully renderable. The Create menu includes many parametric
shapes and splines. These parametric objects can be converted to Editable Spline objects for more
editing. These are covered in Chapter 12, “Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes.”
l Meshes: Complex models created from many polygon faces that are smoothed together when the
object is rendered. These objects are available only as Editable Mesh objects. Meshes are covered
in Chapter 13, “Modeling with Polygons and Patches.”
l Polys: Objects composed of polygon faces, similar to mesh objects, but with unique features.
These objects also are available only as Editable Poly objects. Poly objects are covered in Chapter
13, “Modeling with Polygons and Patches.” The Graphite Modeling Tools are designed to work on
Editable Poly objects. These tools are covered in Chapter 14, “Using the Graphite Modeling Tools
and Painting with Objects.”
l Patches: Based on spline curves; patches can be modified using control points. The Create menu
includes two parametric Patch objects, but most objects can also be converted to Editable Patch
objects. Bonus Chapter 3 on the DVD, “Working with NURBS,” covers patches in detail.
l NURBS: Stands for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines. NURBS are similar to patches in that they
also have control points. These control points define how a surface spreads over curves. NURBS
are covered in Bonus Chapter 3 on the DVD, “Working with NURBS.”

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