Converts the segments of an object into cylindrical struts with optional junction polyhedrons at the vertices. Use this either to create renderable structural geometry based on the mesh topology, or as an alternate method to achieve a rendered wireframe effect.
Note:This modifier always acts on the whole object and ignores previous sub-object selections in the Stack
Tip: You can combine the Scatter compound object with the Lattice modifier to place any object you want as a junction, rather then the provided polyhedrons. To do this, create your mesh distribution object, and your source object (say, a teapot). Use Scatter to scatter the teapot at the vertices of the distribution object. (Be sure and use the Copy option rather than the Instance.) In the Scatter Display parameters, hide the distribution object. Now, select the original object that was used as a distribution object, apply Lattice to it, and turn off the junctions. You’ll have two coincident objects. One providing the lattice struts, and the other positioning the teapots..
Lets you specify which of the two components (struts and junctions) is displayed.
Struts Only: Select this to display only the struts (cylinders) that are generated by the segments of the original mesh.
Junctions Only: Select this to display only the junctions (polyhedras) that are generated by the vertices of the original mesh.
Both: Selecting this displays both struts and junctions.
Provides controls that affect the geometry of the struts.
Radius: Use this to specify the radius of the struts.
Segments: Use this to specify the number of segments along the struts. Increase this value when you need to deform or distort the struts with subsequent modifiers.
Sides: Specifies the number of sides around the perimeter of the struts.
Material ID: Specifies the material ID to be used for the struts. The struts and the junctions can have different material IDs, making it easy to assign them different materials. The struts default to ID #1.
Visible Edges: When selected, struts are generated only on the visible edges.
All Edges : When selected, struts are generated for all edges, including the invisible edges.
End Caps: Check this to apply end caps for the struts.
Smooth: Applies smoothing to the struts.
Provides controls that affect the geometry of the junctions.
Specifies the type of polyhedron used for the junctions.
Tetra: Select this to use a tetrahedron.
Octa: Select this to use an octahedron.
Icosa: Select this to use an Icosahedron.
Radius: Use this to specify the radius of the junctions.
Segments: Use this to specify the number of segments in the junctions.
Material ID: Use this to specify the material ID to be used for the junctions. Defaults to ID #2.
Smooth: Check this to apply smoothing to the junctions.
Determines the type of mapping assigned to the object.
None: No mapping is assigned.
Reuse Existing: Use the mapping currently assigned to the object. This might be the mapping assigned by Generate Mapping Coords., in the creation parameters, or by a previously assigned mapping modifier. When using this option, each junction inherits the mapping of the vertex it surrounds.
New: Use mapping designed for the Lattice modifier. Applies cylindrical mapping to each strut, and spherical mapping to each junction.