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- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 10:47:41 +1030
- From: Dan <shu@MICROTRONICS.COM.AU>
- Subject: Re: [IML] IMPULSE: QUEST, LAYERS
-
- A couple things that have been bugging me for a while now, does anyone
- know what function the layers selector in the Action editor serves?
- Also how does the Fill edge tool work? Any advice appreciated.
- Dan.
-
- ---------------------------------
-
- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 01:00:43 +0400
- From: Charles Blaquiere <blaq@INTERLOG.COM>
-
- Dan wrote:
- >
- > A couple things that have been bugging me for a while now, does anyone
- > know what function the layers selector in the Action editor serves?
- > Also how does the Fill edge tool work? Any advice appreciated.
-
- Imagine allows a hundred layers, numbered 0 through 99. Whenever you
- load an object into the Stage editor, you are asked which layer to place
- it in. (You can later change an object's layer by clicking on its name,
- in the left column of the Action dialog)
-
- Layers are used to speed up your work, by hiding object you currently
- don't care about. If, for example, you have a sports stadium scene and
- are trying to get just the right lighting on the ball, it's obvious your
- screen redraws and quickrenders will be much faster if you temporarily
- hide the 20,000 spectators. By placing objects on separate layers, you
- can turn them on and off at will.
-
- Regardless which layers are hidden, when you do a true render via the
- Project/Render menu item, Imagine will automatically use all layers.
- This is to prevent you from wasting days of rendering because you'd
- forgotten to activate all layers before clicking "OK".
-
-
-
- As fas as Fill To Edge works, here's an example, You have modelled an
- arm, with a hole at the shoulder end. (Like a tube with one end left
- open) You bring in a torso, also with a hole at the shoulder. To
- "stitch" the arm and torso together, you join them into a single object,
- then use Set Edge Line and Fill To Edge Line. While in Pick Edges mode,
- multi-pick all the edges around the perimeter of the hole at the top of
- the arm, in order. When done, Set Edge Line. (We'll call these the "A"
- edges) Then deselect all, and pick all the edges around the perimeter of
- the torso's shoulder hole. You'll want to start at the point closest to
- the first point you picked on the arm, and select in the same direction
- (clockwise or counterclockwise) around the hole. (We'll call these the
- "B" edges) When the entire shoulder outline has been selected, Fill To
- Edge Line.
-
- Imagine will start adding edges and faces between the points in the "A"
- edges, and those in the "B" edges. You do _not_ need to have the same
- number of points; Imagine will automatically compensate. You will be
- left with a new ring of faces, joining the "A" and "B" edges, and will
- now have a single, seamless object.
-
-
-
- By the way, and this is not meant in a way to discourage you from
- posting, I believe I've answered these questions before. You may want to
- search the IML archives at
- http://MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU/CGI/wa.exe?S1=imagine if you're asking a
- question related to plain-vanilla usage of an Imagine function. The IML
- has been running for years, and it's fair to say that most Imagine
- features have been explained before.
-