Request for advice

[TimV]

Hi:

I would appreciate some advice on a general level. I have been working on a model for an F117 stealth fighter and thought it was going reasonably well given it is my first model. I built up the model from a cone primitive which I aligned using rotoscope images for top, front and right.

I split the cone in half along its length and modelled half of the aircraft. When I attempted to symetrically copy the model in order to create the left half from the right half as a mirror image, the duplicate command would not complete. The error message was indicating problems caused by clusters that I had created.

I created the clusters out of points as I shaped / added the detail. Where I was adding edges and extra points, I aligned the points over existing points and created a cluster with the thought that I was eliminating one point and an edge by creating the cluster. It would appear that this is not the case.

I attempted to remove from cluster with the intent of welding the points to get rid of the extras and the extra edges. The end result was not what I was expecting or hoping for.

I am planning to start over and would appreciate input on best practices for creating this model. I'm not sure that I can do the model without overlaping / merging points and edges, and I don't want to end up in the same place as I am now as I can't seem to fix the mess I have.

Should I attempt the model in one piece using the symetry options in modelling to align the points on the left and right sides of the aircraft at the same time?

What is the best way to add points and edges and combine them with the existing geometry?

Thanks very much

Tim

[mayaTitan]

well, first, if you ever post threads similar to this one, be sure to put at least one picture, so people would read less, and know more about your situation.

back on topic: try to freeze model, move pivot point where center would be, and duplicate object, scale it to -1 on x or z axis, and then merge 2 different objects, with very low tolerance (>0).

[TimV]

Hi mayaTitan

Thanks for your input. I will see if that allows me to mirror my existing side.

I guess I am looking more for suggestions on how I should merge edges and points as using clusters does not seem to be the proper way to do it.

thanks

Tim

[TimV]

Hi:

I tried to copy the half model that I have. I have tried to use the duplicate tool and what I get is a mutlipronged green object on the screen but I have no idea how to use it.

I have tried to use duplicate/instantiate and then use duplicate symmety inside that option. I get a window that opens and I can select the axis pair. There is no option to select -1. When I click ok, nothing happens.

At least I am not getting error messages now that I have welded the points together. Unfortunately I am not getting a mirror of my half model either

Tim

[AceMastermind]

So are you done with the modeling part or do you just want to mirror the half already done so you can continue to model on one side and have the same changes appear on the other half?

If you're done with the modeling on one half and you want to mirror it on the other side, select your object or objects that you want mirrored and press Y on the keyboard to enter polygon selection mode then ctrl+a to select all polygons, then right click and select Symmetrize Polygons and play around with the weld distance in the weld options to make it one mesh.

If you're not done with your modeling and you wish to continue but you want to mirror what you have done and have it update from further changes on the original half, then select the half you have already and go Edit>Duplicate/Instantiate>Clone Single, then select the cloned mesh and scale it -1 on the X axis and continue to make changes to the original half, then when you're done modeling select both the clone and original halves then merge them into one.

Hope this helps, though i'm still not clear as to what you really want to do.

[TimV]

Thankyou AceMastermind

You have hit the nail on the head in that I want to copy the side that is done, mirror and attach a copy to the original.

Thanks for the step by step. I appreciate the patience as I start out.

I am still wondering how best to model as I go. Is it bad form to create points and edges and weld them in, or is that pretty much the only option to build up the detail?

Thanks

TimV

I just went through your step by step instructions and it worked perfectly. Thank you so much

TimV

[grahamef]

Instead of duplicating and scaling by -1, it's a lot easier to use Model > Modify > Poly Mesh > Symmetrize Polygons. There's a procedure on the XSI wiki: http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/index.php/Symmetrical_Modeling_Setup

BTW I have no idea about the multipronged green thing that you saw, but the Duplicate tool (D key) lets you click to add copies of your object all over the scene. If you just want to make a copy of your object, use Duplicate Single (Ctrl+D).

All this stuff is covered in the guides, and if you are looking for an overview of XSI I suggest dowloading the Basics guide: http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/index.php/XSI_Basics_Guide

[TimV]

Hi Grahame

Thanks very much for your reply. The best way I can describe the multi-prong green thing would actually be to say it looked like a null icon.

I will have a look at the wiki. As I get more familiar with XSI I am finding it easier to locate supporting documentation.

I did purchase the Basics Guide and I have that with me here at the computer. It would help if it were key word indexed at the end of the book like most guides and manuals are.

I also have the SoftImage Guide for XSI 5 written by Anthony Rossano which is key word indexed. I'm not used to the terminology as I am just starting out, so as an example I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to put in a background image. It did not occur to me in the context of rotoscopy.

Perhaps I should buy a book on basic 3d modelling in order to get some "best practices" advice on ways to approach different situations.

You will notice that no one has offered an opinion on the main question in this thread which is about points and edges and adding / joining the geometry. Perhaps it is because I am not using the right terminology.

I think I will post my model in the WIP section and outline what I would like to do next. That might make my questions more clear.

Thanks very much

TimV

[hike1]

http://webrel2.softimage.com/open/training/productionseries/modelingandtexturing/04_general_modeling/09_Polygon_Modeling_Part1.flv
http://webrel2.softimage.com/open/training/productionseries/modelingandtexturing/04_general_modeling/09_Polygon_Modeling_Part2.flv

He models an airplane thing, doesn't use symmetrize. I followed most of it, but had trouble
extruding the wings, so I started over and extruded them 1st thing and it worked.

Couple of noob tuts and links to more videos
http://terrymorgan.net/softimage_modeling.html

Digital-tutors are the best.

The best flv player I could find:

http://www.martijndevisser.com/blog/2005/flv-player-updated/

[TimV]

Hi Hike1


Thanks very much for the links. I am in the process of downloading the player.

I'll check out the digital tutors. I was looking at them once before. Now that I seem to be getting more serious about this, I'll have another look.