PolyShrink

The Effects->PolyShrink command in the Motion module allows you to shrink individual polygons of a polygon mesh object toward the polygons' centres. Using PolyShrink, it is very easy to create an animation where the object materializes or dematerializes.

The PolyShrink effect can also be used as a modelling tool to create a uniform border between the polygons of an object.

Procedure

1. Apply the Polygon->Breakup effect to a polygon mesh object. The object can be animated.
2. Choose the Effects->PolyShrink command.
   
   The PolyShrink dialogue box is displayed.
   
   
3. Set the parameters as desired.
4. Pick the object to which you want to apply the effect.

The effect icon appears indicating that the effect is active.

PolyShrink moves the vertices of each polygon toward each polygon's centre (the centre is calculated by averaging the vertices of the polygon).

As with all Motion effects, the icon can be animated, and the parameters set can be further edited or animated by selecting the icon and choosing Effects->Edit Parameters in the Motion module.

Parameters

Shrink by Percentage

Allows you to specify by what percentage the polygon vertices shrink toward their polygon's centre.

Shrink by Distance

Allows you to specify the distance that the polygon vertices shrink toward their polygon's centre.

Tagged Only

• Tag by Points: Only the tagged points shrink toward the centre.
• Tag by Faces: Only the polygons with all vertices tagged shrink toward the centre.

Next, Previous, Delete, Key, and Frame

Next advances to the next keyframe, Previous goes back to the previous keyframe, Delete removes a keyframe, and Key sets a keyframe at the frame you specify in the Frame text box. These controls are available only after you have set the initial parameters in the dialogue box and clicked Ok. To return to the dialogue box and edit keyframes for the effect, select the effect icon and choose the Effects->Edit Parameters command in the Motion module.

Last updated 02-apr-1998