Problems with tutorials

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote’][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-title’]quote:[/div][div class=’ip-ubbcode-quote-content’]Originally posted by John Williams:

I have to say that I find that the extrude operation can be a bit irritating if you try to clean up unwanted points afterwards.

John [/div][/BLOCKQUOTE]

When using the Extrude operation you shouldn’t really end up with unwanted points as you only need to extrude the faces you need.
This is why the Extrude op gives you a very clean face layout, if you end up with unwanted points you are going wrong somewhere. <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

Bazza

I followed the the ‘Using Boolean Operations’ tutorial but After I had applied the first Object subtraction operation I saw (particularly noticeable in Wireframe mode)that as well as removing the cutout for the wheel well the operation had also created a whole lot of edges and points that weren’t there before. Is this expected? I tried to get rid of the extra edges and points, but that always seemed to damage the model (like by producing an open surface on the side or rear of the model.

I had a further problem with the ‘Creating Beveled Text’ tutorial. I created the text ‘3D’, selected the rear face as described, then used the bevel tool. This created a correctly bevelled D but just shifted the 3. I think it’s because the Select andgt; By Direction operation selected only the rear face of the D but both faces of the 3. Is there any way of getting the right effect?

Hi

I too have the same experience with the object subtraction creating odd points and faces. For some, the ‘weld to range’ plug-in helps, as does a bit of manual point welding. However, it’s a bit of a chore. There may, of course, be some expert advice………… <!– s:-) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:-) –>

Haven’t tried bevelled text, so can’t comment.

John

Take a look here..
[img:32lczbp2]http&#58;//amabilis&#46;com/forumattachments/a/tpc/f/8846020084/m/95910075831[/img:32lczbp2]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://amabilis.com/forumattachments…020084/m/95910075831">http://amabilis.com/forumattachments&#8230; … 5910075831</a><!– m –>

The Boolean operations, whilst they have their uses, are not the best way to create complex shapes.
As you have found out, you are not in control of the resulting face layout, especially when using the Subtract operation.

You didn’t mention what exactly you are trying to build?
Things like loco frames that require some cut outs for wheels/steps etc can easily be created using a basic cube and the extrude tool.

Bazza

Where you need some kind of cut out, as with a loco frame, you can create it like this, by using the extrude tool.
You end up with a nice clean face layout which is much easier for make adjustements to and for apply textures.

Make sure you are in Edit Using Object Co-ords on the top toolbar
Practice something like this starting with a basic cube…
You would normally have a drawing loaded but for this you don’t need it.

1) Scale the cube something like this and select the side face
2) To create a wheel arch….
Right click the Extrude operation and make sure ‘ Extrude using Face Direction’ is selected.
Set the extrude amount to say 0.2 and extrude 9 times.
3) Select the Edges on the underside (two at a time) and drag them up along the y axis to create a rough arch.
4) To create a curved radius for a step…..
Again select the side face and extrude like this with extrude amount set to 0.1
5) Again select the Edges on the underside and drag down to create the curve.
6) Select the Face for the step and extrude, tidy up the curve on the wheel arch.

Thats it really, there are other methods but this, I find works best for me.
Hope it makes sense…had to rush it.

Bazza

Hi Bazza

Thanks for the comments and advice. I think I recall seeing the original thread about boolean subtraction and associated problems and I haven’t used it – or the other boolean operators – all that much. Sometimes it’s just tempting to try though eh? The odd thing is that sometimes it seems to work quite nicely ( usually when just practising, doodling etc) but when you want a particular shape…….. ho hum.

I have to say that I find that the extrude operation can be a bit irritating if you try to clean up unwanted points afterwards.

Anyway, thanks again

John

I also try to shy away from the Boolean subtraction because of the plethora of unwanted points and surfaces. However, there are times when it’s hard to avoid. I’ve had a particular hard time cutting holes in surfaces that aren’t along the x, y or z axis. The problem comes when you need the resulting surface to be flat as in all points in the same plane. You can equalize points when they’re in on of the cardinal planes but there doesn’t seem to be any way to do it when they’re at an angle to those planes. At those times, I generally split off the faces that I intend to bore through and that reduces the mess to just that face rather than an entire object. The cleanup from a Boolean Subtraction can be time consuming and frustrating but, occasionally, it works just like you expect with no superfluous points or planes. Just not often enough.

A quick way to delete some of the extra faces is to make sure that the object being subtracted is a different color, then you go into face select alt+ctrl click one of the faces and it will select all the ones that are the color of the subtrected object. The just hit delete, gone!

Also sometimes I make sure the cab is one sided, move the part I want to subtract so it pokes out both ends(make sure it is a different color), use the union operation as this removes interior faces the delete parts of the object that are protruding using alt+ctrl face select on the object merged and hitting delete.