TGJ2O_anim8tor-modeling

include component="page" page="course_tabs_header" include component="page" page="menu_tgj2o_3D" =Anim8or - How to make your very own flying saucer= If you need the latest version of Anim8or, you can get it from [|www.Anim8or.com]

//If need be, consult the official online Anim8or manual for the [|BASICS] to the Anim8or interface. It will describe what each button on the Anim8or interface does.//

Start up Anim8or and you begin modeling in **OBJECT mode**. This it like a "virtual fabrication workshop" where you can construct props for your animated movies. In this exercise, we're making flying saucers similar to those found in "Mars Attacks" media type="custom" key="10284897"

> //A sphere is a simple "primitive" 3D object.//
 * 1. **Create a SPHERE**
 * 1) Use [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_sphere_u.gif width="32" height="32" caption="external image b_sphere_u.gif"]] anywhere on screen to make the saucer part.
 * 1) **Double click**the sphere and change:
 * 2) It's diameter to **100**,
 * 3) It's xyz location to 0,0 and 0.> >> //It's now been relocated to the exact center of your virtual universe.//
 * 4) Set it's "Div Lon" (Longitudinal Divisions) to **24** to make it smoother around it's equator.# Click OK

NOTE - A SPHERE is a "Parametric" or PRIMITIVE OBJECT -
 * It CAN be:
 * Easily resized
 * Reduced or Increased in polycount
 * It CAN'T be:
 * Squished, Cut, or Molded until it's been converted into a mesh

You've created a sphere. Whee! Let's name this object as we'll be building separate components for it in other 'object spaces'. Go to Settings>Object and name it SAUCER ||> || > //Notice that the "bounding box" turns from yellow to WHITE. This will allow the sphere to become "bendable" so it can be sculpted.// ||> || > This will become the DOME. //Notice that primitives have a YELLOW bounding box when selected!// ||> || > **//Notice that primitives have a WHITE bounding box when selected!//** ||> || > //You now have a very basic saucer object that we can customize in the next lesson.// ||> ||
 * 2. **Convert the SPHERE to MESH**.
 * 1) With the sphere selected, use **BUILD | CONVERT TO MESH** from the dropdown menu.
 * 3. **SQUASH the SPHERE into a SAUCER**
 * 1) turn off the X and Z switches [[image:cyberdog:Anim8or-xYz.gif caption="Anim8or-xYz.gif"]] - this will allow __only__ the height (Y) to be modified.
 * 2) **Use NON-UNIFORM SCALE** [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_scale_nu_u.gif caption="external image b_scale_nu_u.gif"]] to "squash" the shape into a saucer.
 * 3) Remember to turn on X and Z back on - you will need them later. ||> [[image:cyberdog:Anim8or-Saucer.gif align="right" caption="Anim8or-Saucer.gif"]] ||
 * 4. **Hide the Saucer**
 * 1) SELECT it, then just hit the small 'h' key on your keyboard ||> [[image:cyberdog:Anim8or-Saucer025.gif caption="Anim8or-Saucer025.gif"]] ||
 * 5. **Create another SPHERE**
 * 1) Repeat STEP ONE, but make this one **50** units diameter, with 12 DIV LON and **16** LAT
 * 2) Place it at xyz 0,0,0
 * 6. **Convert the SPHERE to MESH**
 * 1) Just as you did before, use BUILD | CONVERT TO MESH from the dropdown menu.
 * 7. **SELECT the bottom half**
 * 1) You have to first go into POINT EDIT MODE [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_points_u.gif caption="external image b_points_u.gif"]]
 * 2) Select WIREFRAME view [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_wire_u.gif caption="external image b_wire_u.gif"]]
 * 3) Use the DRAG SELECT tool [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_area_u.gif caption="external image b_area_u.gif"]] to select only the points of the dome BELOW the equator. ||> [[image:cyberdog:Anim8or-DomeCleave.gif align="right" caption="Anim8or-DomeCleave.gif"]] ||
 * 8. **DELETE the BOTTOM HALF**
 * 1) **Hit the delete key** and return to smooth shaded view [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_smooth_s.gif caption="external image b_smooth_s.gif"]] to see the newly cleaved dome. ||> [[image:cyberdog:Anim8or-Saucer05.gif caption="Anim8or-Saucer05.gif"]] ||   ||
 * Anim8or-Saucer05.gif ||>  ||
 * 8. **UnHide the Saucer**
 * 1) Return to OBJECT EDIT MODE by clicking the [[image:http://www.anim8or.com/manual/buttons/b_arrow_s.gif caption="external image b_arrow_s.gif"]] in the top left corner of the toolbar.
 * 2) Hit the capital "H" key on your keyboard to SHOW ALL OBJECTS.

TIPS:
 * ** Keep your POLYCOUNT LOW! ** Too much detail slows down your computer and makes later colouring, editing and rendering very difficult.

That's the first step! **SAVE YOUR FILE** - now you can proceed to apply Moving around in 3D space