| | 30 | You now know how to transform objects in the so called Object Mode. The same transformations will also be used when we modify parts of an object. For example, we might move only one corner of an object. |
| | 31 | Select an Object and hit TAB to switch from Object mode to Edit mode. You can do this to toggle between Object and Edit mode at (almost) all times. |
| | 32 | ||'''Vertices, Edges, Faces'''[[BR]]When you enter Edit mode, your object will look different. Hit A to deselect all, if portions of your object appear to be selected (yellow). You can now see, that a model consists of[[BR]][[BR]]''vertices'' (the corners of an object marked with pink dots),[[BR]]''edges'' (black lines)[[BR]]and ''faces'' (blue areas).[[BR]][[BR]]You can select vertices by right-clicking them. They will turn yellow. Hold Shift to select multiple vertices. Selected edges will turn yellow also. To select a face, select the vertices on its border. It will turn pink. By hitting A, you can deselect all or select all.||[[Image(editmode.PNG, right)]]|| |
| | 33 | ||'''Changing the Selection Mode'''[[BR]]Pressing Ctrl + TAB in Edit mode brings up a menu to choose whether you want to select vertices, edges or faces. You still use the right mouse button to select the elements.[[BR]][[BR]]You can modify your selection in Edit mode just like you learned it above for objects. Use G/R/S or the controls in the object center. Try to move, rotate or scale groups of vertices.||[[Image(select3.PNG, right)]]|| |
| | 36 | Extrusion Modeling is a simple but powerful technique to create apparently complex models. You start with a simple geometric object and extrude its faces to create more vertices. Modify the vertices and extrude more until your model has the desired shape. To benefit from extrusion technology we need three more tools. You must be in Edit mode to be able to access the right commands. |
| | 37 | ||'''Extrude'''[[BR]]Extrusion is something you do with faces: it will create a copy of the face and connect every vertex of the original face with the corresponding vertex of the copy. To extrude a face, select it and hit E. You can now move the new face freely.[[BR]][[BR]]'''Note:''' Hold Ctrl for discrete steps.[[BR]][[BR]]Normally, you will extrude along the normal of the original face, but in some cases it might be useful to extrude only along one axis. To do this, hit E and X/Y/Z afterwards.||[[Image(extrude.PNG, right)]]|| |
| | 38 | ||'''Subdivide'''[[BR]]To create finer subdivisions of a face or edge or to modify only a small part of them, it might be necessary to subdivide a face or edge into parts. First, select the parts (edges or faces) of your model, that you want to divide. Then, hit W and choose Subdivide in the appearing menu. Your selection will be subdivided.[[BR]][[BR]]'''Note:''' Hit W and choose Subdivide Multi to split in more than two parts. The W-Menu also gives you more useful functions, when modeling you mesh.||[[Image(subdivide.PNG, right)]]|| |
| | 39 | ||'''Merge'''[[BR]]Sometimes, the two functions above create vertices, that you don't want. It is a good idea to remove them by joining them with another vertex. Like this, you can create a pointed shape, for example. Select the vertices that you want to join. Press W and select Merge. Blender will ask you where to merge the vertices. You have several options:[[BR]][[BR]]''Merge Center'' will merge at the geometrical center[[BR]]''Merge First'' will merge at the first vertex you selected[[BR]]''Merge Last'' will merge at the last vertex you selected[[BR]]''Merge Cursor'' will merge at the position of the 3D-Cursor[[BR]]''Collapse'' will merge each part of your selection at its center||[[Image(merge.PNG, right)]]|| |
