[edit] I just downloaded the current PDF manual.. which is updated from my original version... but still... not sure how to do what I want to do below.
Is it just me..
. or is there just about zero documentation for the freeform tool? There seems to be just a scant reference to it in the help file.
On the face of it it appears to be a pretty primative tool... and maybe it can do what I want (which is really simple in my book).
The tool opens with the object you want to edit showing one face... with no apparant method of rotating it (in the tool) so you can select a face which is hidden.
Can someone who has figured this out please;
a) help me
b) tell me how on earth you found out how this tool works?
Thanks for the help.
Documentation for the Freeform tool?
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Terry Stetler
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:34 pm
- Location: Westland, Michigan USA
Basically you set the axis you want to adjust then just drag the control point or face until you get the distortion effect you want. Clicking the wireframe button simplifies the view.
Not much to it but very useful, but like so many tools of this type nothing substitutes for loading in an object, playing with it then applying the changes to get a feel for how it works.
Not much to it but very useful, but like so many tools of this type nothing substitutes for loading in an object, playing with it then applying the changes to get a feel for how it works.
Terry Stetler
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liamkennedy
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:21 am
Well then... I guess it is the "setting the axis you want to adjust" bit that I'm having trouble figuring out.Terry Stetler wrote:Basically you set the axis you want to adjust then just drag the control point or face until you get the distortion effect you want.
When I load an object into the freeform tool my object only shows one face and I need to select a node/face that is hidden around the back.
Are you saying there is some way in the freform tool you can determine which axis/face to display... or is this done outside the tool somehow?
Thanks for the help.
p.s. and just in case it wasn't clear from my original post.. I have been using the freeform tool quite a bit and loading objects into it. I also find that trying things out is a good way to learn something. My question here is about a specific aspect of the tool that I do not find is clear to me how to do.
FREEFORM TOOL CRASH COURSE
You will see the following options on the right: GRID, SELECTION, TRANSFORM and VIEW
GRID will allow you to disect the object into segments along the axis(X,Y,Z). The more grids makes for precise location for manipulation.
SELECTON allows you to specify ALL, POINT or COORDINATES.
TRANSFORM allows you to MOVE, ROTATE and SCALE your object along axis.
VIEW allows for ROTATE, DISTANCE and AXIS INDICATOR. Gives you directional feedback along axis.
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So to answer you question: Make sure you have set your GRID to your desired specs. SELECTION set to ALL. TRANSFORM to ROTATE and select which axis for direction.
Click on grid square and ROTATE the object. Here you can then manipulate the backside of the object. SELECTION to POINT and TRANSFORM to MOVE. Happy freeforming.
You will see the following options on the right: GRID, SELECTION, TRANSFORM and VIEW
GRID will allow you to disect the object into segments along the axis(X,Y,Z). The more grids makes for precise location for manipulation.
SELECTON allows you to specify ALL, POINT or COORDINATES.
TRANSFORM allows you to MOVE, ROTATE and SCALE your object along axis.
VIEW allows for ROTATE, DISTANCE and AXIS INDICATOR. Gives you directional feedback along axis.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So to answer you question: Make sure you have set your GRID to your desired specs. SELECTION set to ALL. TRANSFORM to ROTATE and select which axis for direction.
Click on grid square and ROTATE the object. Here you can then manipulate the backside of the object. SELECTION to POINT and TRANSFORM to MOVE. Happy freeforming.