==================================================================== Modify Menu Vertex Page 3-1 MODIFY MENU: Function FastKey Page ================== ====================================== ==== Multiply M-M 3-2 Apply Curve M-Q 3-4 Randomize M-R 3-5 Gravity M-G 3-5 Extrude M-X 3-6 Bevel Edges M-B 3-7 Lathe M-L 3-7 Subd. Faces M-F 3-8 Subd. Edges M-E 3-9 Fuse Vertices M-W 3-10 Overlay Fuse M-O 3-10 Planar Fill M-P 3-11 Name Selected M-N 3-11 Color M-C 3-12 Vertex Info M-I 3-12 Distance M-D 3-12 Cut Window M-W 3-13 Seperate M-T 3-14 Fractal M-K 3-15 Smoothing M-U 3-16 The Modify menu holds most of the unique tools of Vertex. There are functions to curve objects in a variety of ways, tools to add details, bevel objects, fill contours, cut holes, change face colors, and a lot more. All these functions work on selected vertices. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Multiply Vertex Page 3-2 Function: Multiply FastKey: M-M Description: Choosing this function will bring up a requestor asking for a mathematical formula. This formula must begin with either X=, Y=, or Z=. On the right side of the equals sign, you can supply any math formula, utilizing the functions listed below. In addition to using math functions, certian variables are defined for multiply. The variables X,Y, and Z are the respective X,Y and Z coordinates of the current vertex being multiplied. Additional variables include: XMAX: The maximum X coordinate YMAX: The maximum Y coordinate ZMAX: The maximum Z coordinate XMIN: The minimum X coordinate YMIN: The minimum Y coordinate ZMIN: The minimum Z coordinate XCEN: The average center X YCEN: The average center Y ZCEN: The average center Z You may use any constant numbers wherever you wish. The functions supported by Vertex include: SIN COS TAN ASIN ACOS ATAN LN LOG10 LOG EXP SQRT RAND ABS The trigonometric functions take their input in degrees. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Multiply Vertex Page 3-3 Here are some example (allowable) functions: Z=cos(x^1.2)*30*sin(z^1.2) This function will create an interesting "bumpy" pattern to a grid. Y=0 This function will flatten all vertices onto the Y axis. Y=COS(SQR(X*X+Z*Z))*20 This will create a nice water drop effect when applied to an object on the X,Z axis. X=SQR(y*cos(z^2))/x*x+23/rand(y*1.2) I have no idea what this function will produce! If you have ideas for further functions which might be useful, then let me know, I will put them in. Please note that, in order to speed up this feature, I have not included syntax checking. You must insure that the formula has properly matched parentheses. However, some wierd formulas ARE defined in vertex: Square roots of negative numbers are defined as Sqr(n) = -Sqr(-n) Division by zero is defined as zero "Domain" functions which require input from -1 to 1 will be set to zero if need be. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Curve Vertex Page 3-4 Function: Apply Curve FastKey: M-Q Description: This is the bezier curve interface. Upon choosing this function, you are presented with a grid with a bezier curve on it, 4 control points to alter the curve, and a number of buttons, which appear to the left. The buttons are outlined below: ------------------------------------------ Affect | | X Y Z | | Base | | X Y Z | Curve Drawing Area | | | Conform | | Average | | Additive | | Current View | | ------------------------------------------ Do It Flip It Flatten Abort The X,Y,Z gadgets in the upper left are called the 'Affect Axis'. This determines which axis will be changed by the curve. The lower X,Y,Z gadgets determine which axis will be the 'Base Axis' for the curve. As the coordinates of vertices change along this axis, the corresponding change will take place on the Affect axis. If this is confusing, don't worry. Try the function out with a simple grid, and you will get a feel for it. Finally, the way the curve will change the vertices on the 'Affect Axis' can be chosen from the gadgets in the lower left. The choices include: Conform: This will force the object to take the exact curve you have defined Average: This will average each vertices' orginal position with the new position determined by the curve. Additive: This will add the new coordinates to the original coordinates. When you have the curve set, you can choose one of these functions to apply. You apply a curve by pressing the "Do It" button in the lower left. Other options below the "Do It" button are: Flip, which will flip the curve up/down, Flatten, which will flatten the curve, and Abort, which will leave the function - not applying the curve. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Randomize Vertex Page 3-5 Function: Randomize FastKey: M-R Description: This will let you randomize vertex positions on the X,Y and/or Z axis. A requestor appears asking for the ranges to randomize each axis. A value of 0 will cause no change to take place on an axis. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Gravity Function: Gravity FastKey: M-G Description: This function will bring up a small, moveable, control panel: |X| |Y| |Z| ____ _____ | IN | | OUT | Strength: 10 | DONE | With the buttons, you can apply a certain ammount of gravity to the selected vertices. Type in the strength of the gravity in the string gadget. This functions relys on the Hot Spot, or the centroid of the selected vertices. If the Hot Spot is activated, it will automatically use it. If not, it will use the centroid, or average of all selected poitns, as the center of gravity. Directional choices are In and Out. In will pull points towards the center, while Out will push points away. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Extrude Vertex Page 3-6 Function: Extrude FastKey: M-X Description: This is a basic extrude function. You can enter distances to extrude on any or all three axes. A value of zero will result in no movement on that axis. Make sure your scaling values are set to 1 if you want the extruded object to be the same size as the original. DISTX: This is the amount to extrude on the X axis DISTY: This is the amount to extrude on the Y axis DISTZ: This is the amount to extrude on the Z axis ROTX: Amount of rotation around the X axis ROTY: Amount of rotation around the Y axis ROTZ: Amount of rotation around the Z axis SCAL X: Amount of scaling on the X axis SCAL Y: Amount of scaling on the Y axis SCAL Z: Amount of scaling on the Z axis STEPS: The number of sections to create. This value is divided into all the above values when extruding multiple sections. The step value is VERY important. If you enter a step value of 1, the function should work as you expect. However, using higher step values may get tricky. Say, for example, you want to extrude a circle into a quarter of a ring with 10 sections. You would enter a Y rotation of 90, and a step value of 10. You would not, however, enter a Y rotation of 9, and a step value of 10, expecting it to rotate 9 degrees for each extrusion. So, just remember to enter the total rotations or distance, and let Vertex do the division work for you. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Bevel Vertex Page 3-7 Function: Bevel Edges FastKey: M-B Description: The bevel edges function will take a flat object on the X,Y axis, extrude it and create a beveled edge on the sides of the object. It is similar to routing the edges of the shape. This is a very useful function to add that "chiseled" look to fonts, or any other shape. There are, however, some restrictions: 1. The object must have faces in it, say like a solid font. 2. Objects must lie on the X,Y plane. Any other kind of object will result in improper results. 3. The object must not have any duplicate edges or faces in it. To ensure this is the case, examine the EULR: number on the information display of the main screen. If this number is exceptionally large, positive or nagative, then you should do a Delete Duplicate Edges, as well as a Delete Duplicate Faces, both under the Delete menu. When you choose this function, a selector appears asking for the amount of inset and the depth desired. Keep in mind that the Z axis is headed away from you in the fron view, so positive values will cause the bevel to appear at the back of the object, while negative values will cause the bevel to appear towards you, the viewer. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to enter negative inset values, which will cause the bevel to head away from the original object. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Lathe Function: Lathe FastKey M-L Description: This is the lathe creation tool. You can define any shape, with faces, and it will be lathed by the degrees you specify. I'd suggest not lathing on any more than 1 axis at a time, this will most likely result in a bad lathe. If you enter a degree amount of 360 degrees or more, the lathe will self connect to it's starting point. If you've just created a contour with the Shape definer, you'll probably want to lathe around the Y axis. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Subdivide Faces Vertex Page 3-8 Function: Subdivide Faces FastKey: M-F Description: This function will take a selected face and create 3 faces from it. Heres how it works: A / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ B-----------C If the above face were subdivided, with the Subdivide Face command, it would end up like this: A /|\ / | \ / /D\ \ /_/ \_\ // \\ B-----------C You will end up with 3 faces: A-B-D, A-D-C and B-D-C. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Subdivide Edges Vertex Page 3-9 Function: Subdivide Edges FastKey: M-E Description: This function will add an extra vertex on the edge of each select edge. The Bast way to describe this is with an example: * * / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ *-----* / \ /\ /\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ *-------------* *------*------* Before Subdividing: After Subdividing: 3 Vertices 6 Vertices 1 Face 4 Faces You can use this function to add detail to sections of your objects. Be careful, as you can quickly fill up memory by continuously subdiving in this manner. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Fuse Vertices Vertex Page 3-10 Function: Fuse Vertices FastKey: M-W Description: This function will take all selected vertices and fuse them into 1. The new vertex will be located at the centroid of the selected vertices. All edges and faces will be repositioned, and some may be deleted, to create a proper 3d object. This process may cause a small delay. Using this function with 1000 vertices and 2000 edges will probably take 2 or 3 minutes to execute. There is now a test within the fuse function to ensure that all selected vertices have the same name. If they do not, you will be asked if you wish to continue. The reason for this is that future versions of Vertex will rely more heavily on object names. (to make way for face attributes, etc..) ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Overlay Fuse Function: Overlay Fuse FastKey: M-O Description: This function will attempt to connect two objects. The vertices which will be connected must lie directly over one another, (have the same X,Y,Z coordinates), and they must be selected. This is a wild function. I think it calls a 3 or 4 other functions. It will delete selected faces, delete duplicate edges, and delete unneeded edges. The end result is that your object should be physically connected, with no unneccessary faces or edges between them. Check out the object "cuboid.comp" to see an example of this in action. If your points will not connect, then perhaps they are not close enough. (Currently, the vertices must be within 1 unit from one another to be candidates for fusing.) Try zooming in on them and positioning them closer to get a good result. Also, you may not have more than 2 vertices occupying the same X,Y,Z coordinates when attempting to use this function. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Planar Fill Vertex Page 3-11 Function: Planar Fill FastKey: M-P Description: I've redone this function in this version. It is a much more intelligent command now. Most polygons will be filled correctly, if they are not erradic. More complex objects can be broken down, by adding edges to close off ares, into smaller parts to get them to work correctly. This function demands that the polygon be closed - if it isn't you may get wierd results. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Name Selected Function: Name Selected FastKey: M-N Description: This function will let you modify the name of all selected vertices. After this function executes, all unused names will be flushed from memory. Object names are limited to 256 at this time. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Color Vertex Page 3-12 Function: Modify Color FastKey: M-C Description: This function will bring up a requester wherein you can define the color of the selected faces. Face colors are now saved with objects and read in at load time. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Info Function: Vertex Info FastKey: M-I Description: This function will bring up a requester with the pertinent info about any vertex you click on. You are allowed to change the vertices number and its X,Y,Z coordinates. (Changing the name in the requester will have no effect) Changing the number of the vertex will exchange it's position in the list of vertices. This can have an effect on pattern selection, as well as morphing in other software packages. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Distance Function: DIstance FastKey: M-D Description: Clicking on 2 vertices in sequence will return the distance between them. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Cut Window Vertex Page 3-13 Function: Cut Window FastKey: M-W Description: This function will take all your selected faces, delete them, delete the edges between them, then extrude them and scale them by 50%. Confused? Let me give an example: *-----------* |\ /| | \ / | | \ / | | \ / | | \ / | *-----*-----* Starting object: *'s are selected verticies o-----------o |\ /| | *-------* | | |XXXXXXX| | | *---*---* | |/ \ | / \| o-----o-----o Ending object: *'s are selected verticies, o's are deselected, and the X's denote the area that is now see-through. You'll have to try this one to get a good idea of how it works. Some tips: Make sure the selected faces are all connected The new vertices are simply scaled, don't expect it to operate like a bevel command. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Seperate Vertex Page 3-14 Function: Seperate FastKey: M-T Description: This command will seperate a set of selected vertices from an object. You'll end up with 2 objects - the first will be your original object with a hole cut in it the same shape as your selected vertices, and the second will be a new object which is a duplicate (ending in -sep) of your selected vertices. To get a feel for this, try this quick example: 1. Delete everything and add a basic-cube, any size. Name it Box. 2. Deselect half the cube. You should end up with 4 vertices selected which represent 1 "face" of the cube. 3. Choose this function, Seperate, from the modify menu. 4. When the function returns, try moving the selected vertices. You'll see you have a "lid" on your cube which can be moved independently of the rest of the cube. This new object will be called Box-sep. You could just as easily cut a doorway into a sphere, break the squares out of a grid, or anything else which needs a "hole" in it. Note, however, this tool is considerably different from the "Cut Window" function above. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Fractal Vertex Page 3-15 Function: Fractal FastKey: M-K Description: This function will "fractalize" a set of selected faces. I'll do my best to explain it, but to really get a feel for it, you'll have to try it out. I'd suggest starting out with a 1 x 1 grid and then use this function with the default values. Selecting this function will bring up a requester, asking for 3 values. The first value is the recursion value. Don't let a big word scare you, it's a pretty simple concept, and we can use one of Vertex's other functions to graphically show you how recursion operates. To follow this example, create a simple 200 x 200 grid with X Res and Y Res values of 1. With your 2 face object selected, use the Subdivide Edges command under the modify menu. You will see that your grid has now doubled in resolution. This is a first level recursion. Now, without selecting or deselecting anything, use the Subdivide Edges function again. Your grid is now even more detailed. This is a second level recursion. Doing this operation again will result in a 3 level recursion. Getting the idea yet? All recursion means is to apply the same funtion to an object that has previously been "passed through" the function. Repeatedly doing this will eventually run out of memory, so be careful not to get out of hand. Actually, this is the exact process the Fractal command uses, only it will randomly move the new points up and down as they are created. This is where the height value comes in. A larger value here will cause the "hills" to be taller, while smaller values will cause more gentle "hills". Finally, the Seed value is the basis by which the heights are arrived at. Using the same seed value will result in the same fractal. If you want to mess around with this value, try using a small recursion value until you get the look you want. Then UNDO it, and use a larger recursion value. This will create the same fractal as the smaller recursion value, only it will add more detail. A few notes: There is no relationship between differnt seeds. Just because 211 comes after 210 does not mean these seeds will produce fractals of similar form. There are 1,073,741,820, or 2^30, different seeds available. A seed value of 0 (zero) will re-initialize the fractal generator, causing random results. ==================================================================== Modify Menu: Smoothing Vertex Page 3-16 Function: Smoothing FastKey: M-U Description: Vertex now supports face smoothing for Sculpt, Lightwave and Imagine file formats. Be warned - the compressed file format does not yet support this feature yet. Smoothing will bring up a name requester with each object listed. (Smoothing is only available on an object by object basis.) Each object which is smoothed will be highlighted in orange. Likewise, each faceted, or non-smooth, object will not be highlighted. Click on an objects name to toggle it's smoothing status. The smoothing status will cause no change in an objects appearance in any of Vertex's rendering modes, but will only effect a saved file.