Page 468 - Kitab3DsMax

Part III: Modeling Basics

You use the Smoothing Groups option to assign a subobject to a unique smoothing group. To do this, select
a subobject and click a Smoothing Groups number. The Select By SG button, like the Select By ID button,
opens a dialog box where you can enter a Smoothing Groups number, and all subobjects with that number
are selected. The Clear All button clears all Smoothing Groups number assignments, and the Auto Smooth
button automatically assigns Smoothing Groups numbers based on the angle between faces as set by the
value to the right of the Auto Smooth button.
The Properties panel also includes options for setting vertex Color, Illumination, and Alpha values.

Using the Freeform Tools

The middle tab in the Graphite Modeling tools includes an assortment of Freeform tools for sculpting and
modeling surfaces as if working with clay. These tools are divided into two panels—PolyDraw and Paint
Deform, as shown in Figure 14.20.

FIGURE 14.20
The Freeform tools let you model by sculpting.
In Units
In Pixels

Solve to Quads

Using the PolyDraw tools
The various PolyDraw tools let you create and extend the surface subobjects using tools that work like a
common drawing program.
Drag
The Drag tool lets you move selected subobjects around by simply dragging them with the mouse. Clicking a
subobject automatically selects it and lets you drag it to a new position. Holding down the Shift key or the Ctrl
key lets you drag edges or polygons regardless of the subobject mode that is selected. Pressing Shift+Ctrl keys
together lets you drag entire edge loops, and the Alt key lets you move the subobject in a direction that is per-
pendicular to the view axis, which is great for dragging subobjects off to the side of an object.

Step Build
The Step Build tool lets you click to place new vertices on the surface of the object. The location of these
new vertices depends on the current Grid, on the current object’s Surface or within the Selection using the

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