The Forms Editor is used to create basic object forms.
You can then load and complete these basic forms in the Detail Editor.
To start a new forms object, select NEW from the Object menu.
This requester defines how the basic forms object will start out.
A forms object is composed of separate cross sections or slices.
This value sets the number of points to use for each cross section.
This value sets the number of slices or cross sections to define the object.
The Y-Z option creates a forms object composed of vertical cross sections.
This is for creating objects that change in shape horizontally, like a snake.
Setting the X-Y option uses horizontal cross sections in building the object.
This is for creating objects that change in shape vertically, such as a head.
These Symmetry options control the manipulation of the cross-section view.
For now, lets select None.
Three types of editor views can be used. Let's start with the simplest.
In One Spacer View, the editor displays the object form as a row of points.
We will now enter the editor to see the effects of these settings.
This view displays the available cross sections, also known as slices.
Each point represents a cross section of the object.
This view displays the actual cross section shape.
By default you are started with a single editable cross section.
This is known as a key slice.
Changing this cross section affects the shape of the entire object.
Let's add another key slice.
You can select Make Key from the menu, or you can click on this Gadget.
Key slices are highlighted. Let's add a key slice to the other end.
Use Select, to choose the key slice to work with.
Now, by defining the shape of the key slices on either end,
We can control how the object's shape flows from one end to the other.
By adding more key slices, we can create additional shape transitions.
Demonstration Completed!