Subdiv Surface Components


Subdiv surfaces have four types of components in standard mode: face, vertex, UV, and edge.

  • A face generally appears offset from the subdiv surface. It can have three or more sides; however, the most efficient subdiv surfaces have four sides. The number in the center indicates the display level (Figure 9.3).

    Figure 9.3. This subdiv surface sphere is at display level-0 and has its faces displayed.


  • A vertex generally appears offset from the surface. It is represented by the number of the display level it occupies. When moved, the vertex controls the area of surface nearest to it (Figure 9.4).

    Figure 9.4. A subdiv vertex, at display level-1, has been moved. The surface responds much as a NURBS surface responds to movement of a control vertex.


  • UVs are points that turn green when selected (Figure 9.5). They are used for texturing, not modeling. See Chapter 15, "Shaders, Materials, and Mapping."

    Figure 9.5. UVs don't have associated display levels. Thus, they show up as points, not numbers.


  • An edge is one border of a face (Figure 9.6).

    Figure 9.6. An edge of the sphere is selected in standard mode.


To select a subdiv surface component:

1.

From the Create menu, select Subdiv Primitives > Sphere.

2.

Press to select the Fine level of subdiv surface display smoothness (Figure 9.7).

Figure 9.7. From left to right, Rough, Medium, and Fine Subdiv Smoothness settings.


The surface should appear smoother in the view. Changing these settings does not affect the construction of the model, just its display.

3.

Right-click the sphere and select Face from the Marking menu that appears (Figure 9.8).

Figure 9.8. To access the Marking menu for subdiv surfaces, right-click the sphere's surface. Much of what is needed to work with subdiv surfaces is right here.


The faces should now appear surrounding the sphere.

4.

Select and move the face (Figure 9.9).

Figure 9.9. A face is moved, and the sphere is elongated.




    Maya for Windows and Macintosh
    MAYA for Windows and MacIntosh
    ISBN: B002W9GND0
    EAN: N/A
    Year: 2004
    Pages: 147
    Authors: Danny Riddell

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