Microsoft KB Archive/180225

INFO: Polygon Modeling and Reduction

PSS ID Number: Q180225 Article last modified on 02-05-1998

IRIX:3.7; WINNT:3.7

IRIX winnt

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The information in this article applies to:

 Softimage 3D for IRIX, version 3.7 == Softimage 3D for Windows NT, version 3.7 == 

= SUMMARY =

This article provides a brief description of Polygon modeling and Polygon reduction.

= MORE INFORMATION =

Polygon Modeling
Polygon modeling allows you to treat each polygon on an object as if it was a separate object with its own axis and independent controls. The controls for translation, scaling, and rotation can affect each polygon separately. You can select a polygon with rectangular toggle by tagged vertex or by ray casting, which only selects the polygons facing the camera. Beginning with version 3.7, you can view a shaded model and also see the lines, vertices, and textures. This makes modeling a lot easier.

For example, you can start with a simple cube, add vertex, duplicate some of the polygons, pull and scale them, and then smooth the object by applying Effect->Rounding.

= Polygon Reduction =

The final object is a smooth, high-resolution polygonal object that you can use for cinema, a trailer, or for printing. If it is needed for a real-time application, you can apply one of the polygon reduction tools; this can reduce the polygon count by almost 50 percent with a minimal quality trade- off.

SOFTIMAGE 3D has two polygon reduction tools: Optimize and Rule Based. With Optimize, you simply set the target count and the software does all the computations. Once you learn the basics of polygon reduction, it is more efficient to use the Rule Based tool. The Rule Based tool allows you to reduce the entire object or tagged points. It is also possible to preserve curves and hard edges, and reduce the polygon count based on specific criteria (radius, length, area, height, angle).

= REFERENCES =

If you have any questions concerning the information contained in this article, contact support@softimage.com by e-mail. ====================================================================== Keywords : si si3d si3dmod Version : IRIX:3.7; WINNT:3.7 Platform : IRIX winnt Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.