Microsoft KB Archive/170177

Microsoft Knowledge Base

HOWTO: Technique for Creating a Realistic Planet

Last reviewed: June 20, 1997
Article ID: Q170177

The information in this article applies to:

• Softimage 3D for IRIX, version 3.51
• Softimage 3D for Windows NT, version 3.51

SUMMARY

This article is provided to show you how to create a realistic planet or other imperfect sphere shaped objects using an alternative to the usual technique (Get->Primitive->Sphere and applying Effect ->Randomize). When you apply a randomize effect to a sphere, the resulting sphere has displaced joints on poles.

The following technique gives you a more geodesic configuration and prevents the undesirable joint effect:

1. From the Model module, select MetaClay->Add System.
2. Choose MetaClay->Add Element.
3. MetaClay>Convert to Polygon.
4. Note that you have a perfect sphere without joints and poles.

NOTE: If you want a larger sphere and are not concerned with the number of polygons, scale the Metaclay element upward first, then convert it to polygons. Inversely, to enlarge the sphere and keep the number of polygons low, convert it to polygon first and scale it upward afterwards.

REFERENCES

If you have any questions concerning the information contained in this article, contact support@softimage.com by e-mail.

Keywords : kbgraphic si si3d si3dmod kbhowto Version : 3.51 Platform : IRIX NT WINDOWS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Last reviewed: June 20, 1997 ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.