SubD Modeling Questions and thoughts

[dangertaz1]

1) When turning on Box mode, I'm seeing my smoothed model underneath the box.  I have to switch Box mode off then back on to clearly see my Box mode model.  Is this a bug?

2) Sometimes I accidently have multiple CV sitting on top of each other, or a laminate face.  In Maya, the solution is to pick around the duplicate verts and merge.  Is there a way to do this in Alias? I only see weld, not merge.

3) Weld doesn't allow me to pick SubD edges.

4) SubD Edges display even when CV is turned off, meaning you see them but you can't pick them.  It's a bit confusing and I think turning off CV/Hulls should also turn off SubD edges.

5)  I have to keep turning off Isoparms on my Subd as a model new forms.  I wish there was a 'Display Isoparm' toggle inside the SubD tool.  I don't see the value in seeing Isoparms while subD modeling.

6) It would be great if Symmetrical modeling could understand SubD topology, i.e. if Symmetrical modeling would reflect the Cut and Weld tool.

[BarryKimball]

Great questions/feedback...Here are some ideas/answers...

1. When turning on BOX mode you cannot see the limit surface edges...if you are viewing a plane it may appear you are seeing the edges of the limit surfaces but you are viewing the control cage edges...Currently BOX mode turns OFF the limit surface display.

2. Weld = Merge in Alias...there are three options to weld, within tolerance, to target and to mid-point...

3. Weld allows the selection of edges...the edge has to be a free edge...interior edges of a subd cannot be welded, this typically creates poor topology. You can weld vertices on the interior of a subd...

4. I believe you are referring to BOX mode...in BOX mode to turn off the edge display (when CV+HULLS are off) users can use the surface transparency slider in the control panel...We will look to improve this in a future release...

5. Under Object Display->Display Control select "new subd"...toggle the isoparms OFF...in addition under Object Display->Draw Style you can change the display of subd entities to differentiate Subd's from NURBS.

6. Symmetric Modeling works with Subd's...NOTE: the subd topology must be symmetrical to start (not the vertex locations) or you will receive an error in the prompt line , and...when selecting the subd for symmetric modeling, be sure to select the subd NOT the subd face..

[dangertaz1]

Thanks Barry.

1)  Here is the display error.  Watch me turn in box model but I still see the smoothed model (is this what you mean by 'limit surfaces' under need the box cage.  This behaviors seems to start after I make a few modeling moves.  I can't get the error to occur on just a simple box.  I've seen this  error on multiple machines.  Bug?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/screencast/Main/Details/796f73e7-f9a3-4575-a7e3-04...

2)  I've tried using Weld set to mid point and within tolerance.  But I get an error message '2nd CV selection invalid

[BarryKimball · Accepted solution]

Ok...now your question is clear.

First question...shading... it is possible to have hardware shading and box mode shading on at the same time...that is what you are seeing. Turn OFF hardware shading and you will only see the shaded cage.

 Second question...welding...when trying to weld 2 vertices of an open edge together you are getting an error. That error occurs when you try and create a single point in a continuous subd. That would create an invalid topology and is not supported in Alias. To weld the area you are trying to weld select edge selection tool prior to entering the weld tool, then you can weld the two edges vs. the 2 CV's.

[BarryKimball · Accepted solution]

Also, if you box selected 2 sets of CV's in within tolerance mode...they would weld...see the attached video...

[dangertaz1]

Grateful!