Coplanar

The Polygon->Coplanar command in the Model module adds border polygons around the edges of a polygon mesh's polygons. This gives the appearance of rounded edges without complex rounding operations, and is often used as a kind of bevelling tool.

The Effects->AnimatedCoplanar command in the Motion module is the animated version of this effect.

Procedure

1. Create a polygon mesh model.
2. Choose the Polygon->Coplanar command.
   
   The Coplanar dialogue box is displayed.
   
   
3. Set the parameters as desired.
4. Select the model.

Parameters

Inset

This is the number of SOFTIMAGE units each polygon is inset. The gaps are filled with new polygons.

Height

This is the height in SOFTIMAGE units that each polygon is offset. The polygon is offset in the direction of its normal. Note that a height of 0 produces "coplanar" polygons around the edges of each original polygon. Because of the way Phong shading works, this can create a desirable rounded look along the hard edges of an object.

Discontinuity Angle

Applies the usual SOFTIMAGE 3D Discontinuity Angle in the resulting polygon mesh.

Tagged Polygons Only

Allows you to apply Coplanar only to currently tagged polygons of a polygon mesh object.

Apply after Transform

When this option is selected, the effect is applied to the polygon mesh object as it appears on the screen. When deselected, the effect is applied to the model, and then the transformation is applied.

Last updated 02-apr-1998