Basic Sweeping Operations II
| Multiple faces can also be extruded by selecting them using the Point Edit: Face tool. Simply select the faces to be extruded using Shift-click for concurrent faces and Ctrl-click for nonconcurrent faces, then click on the Sweep tool. | |
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Up to now, we've only been working with extruding faces of one segment, however, a swept face can also be modified by changing how many segments are created along each new face. Right-click on any of the Sweep tools to bring up the sweep/tip panel. |
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Segments determines how many segments are created along each new face. The X, Y, and Z fields determine where the top edge of the new face will be after the extrusion. These fields do not work for a Tip extrusion. |
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| Modifying segments and height (z-axis): | |
| In order to modify the sweep settings for an
extrusion, right-click on the current Sweep
tool to bring up the sweep/tip panel, modify the Segments,
then select the Sweep tool and the modified extrusion will be
created. This example shows a one segment extrusion of 100 units high (whatever your measuring units are). |
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| This example shows a new extrusion of 3 segments with the total height of the segments equaling 100 units. Notice that the segments are of varying width. tS takes the 100 units and divides it between the required segments, and not equally either. Even if you create 4 segments with a total height of 100 units, they won't all be 25 units high. |
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| If each segment has to be a specific height, then change the Z amount to that amount and change the Segments to 1, then create each segment one at a time. | |
| An advantage of creating multiple segments
at once is that you can modify all of them at once after the extrusion. Here's an extrusion of one face: |
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| and then rotated: Click on image for a rendered view, notice that the twisted edges are straight. |
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| Here's the same face, extruded with 7 segments at 100 units: |
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| and then rotated: Click on image for a rendered view, notice that the twisted edges are smoother and more rounded than the previous render. |
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| And the same extrusion scaled: |
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| Then extruded twice and tipped: Click on image for a rendered view. |
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| Remember is that the more segments you add, the more polygons are created, but the larger the object will be. | |
| Modifying placement on the x- and y-axis: | |
| The best way to see how this panel works is to open it prior to moving a new face. After you move the face, notice the new settings in the X, Y, and Z fields. Now extrude again and notice that the new segment was created at the same height and moved along the x and/or y-axis the exact amounts shown in the panel. The amounts do not change if the face is scaled or rotated. | |
| Again, the amounts in the X and Y fields are modified the same way as the Z field. They can be modified prior to the operation or by using the point navigation tools, but not manually in the middle of an operation. |
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| And another example: |
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| Remember, you can change these settings
in two ways: 1. Modify the settings manually before selecting the required Sweep tool 2. Modify the current selected face by using the point navigation tools, then selecting the required Sweep tool to extrude the next face. You cannot change these settings manually while in the middle of a sweeping operation. For example, if you extrude a face up when Z = 50 then manually enter 100 in the Z field, the next extrusion will still only go up by 50 units. |
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| The next page will continue with sweeping and explain Beveling & Tipping, then move on to Paths & Lathing. | |
