Assignment 3: Extrusion Modeling

So, it's time to do some modeling! We're going to be starting with the Cube as our basic unit in this lesson, slicing it in half, mirroring it, and then using the Extrude and Cut Faces tools to expand it into a model. A few reminders:

1.) Mirroring a model.

To mirror a model, you'll want to first create a cube, then switch to your Front view panel, using the space bar to go in and out of the 1-up and 4-up view modes. In the front view, with your cube selected, bring up the Edit Mesh --> Cut Faces tool and click-drag to make a cut. Try to line your cut up with the vertical center line of the screen, thus cutting the cube in half cleanly. Hold sown the Shift key to force the Cut Faces tool to lock at 45 degree angles, which will make the creation of a perfectly vertical cut easier.

Once your cube is cut, switch to Component Mode (hotkey: F8), then right click on the object and use the ensuing menu to activate Faces selection. With the Selection tool active, select all the faces on the left side of your newly cut cube and delete them. With the F8 key, go back to Object Mode. Now, from the Edit --> Duplicate Special (Options) menu, create a mirrored copy of the half-cube. Set the Geometry Type to Instance. If you cut it vertically in the front view you'll want to set the Scale to -1 in the X axis. Remember the axis color code if you're not sure (Red = X, Green = Y, Blue = Z)!

2.) Extruding

To extrude a face from your object, switch to Component Mode (F8), activate Faces selection (right click menu), select one or a group of faces, and go to the Edit Mesh --> Extrude command. Your manipulator will immediately change to a new type, and you should switch back to the regular translate tool. Now just pull your new extruded faces in whatever direction you desire! Don't forget that even if you forget to pull the new extruded faces out from their starting location they have still been extruded. If you forget about them you'll soon discover some very funky stuff happening to your model (many of you have already experienced this).

If you run into the problem of extruded faces splitting apart after extrusion, go to the Edit Mesh menu and check that Keep Faces Together is checked.

3.) Planning

Don't forget to plan! Look at some reference and get a basic idea of the layout of your object before you begin attacking it. If you're creating a dog you'll know that it needs at least four protrusions from the bottom from which to sculpt legs, so cut your base cube up to accommodate for them. It is much easier to make the majority of your cuts / extrusions before you begin pushing and pulling vertexes to shape your model.

4.) Don't be Afraid to Start Over

Really, don't. It will go so much faster to make the same model the second time, you won't even believe it. So if things get really messed up and you can't figure out why your polygons are exploding everywhere, just start over! It won't take you nearly as long as you think.



When you're finished, email me your Maya scene file with the name firstname_HW03.ma by Sunday at midnight for full credit. And be creative!