Applying Operations

Panel-operations-operations.gif (2575 bytes)

Operations are used to modify the attributes of an object. For example, the Bend Operation is used to Bend an Object, the Fill Material Operation is used to fill the object with a material etc.

Click Button-Panel-Operations.gif (155 bytes) Object Operations panel. Or select the Operation Tab Button-Construction-Operation.gif (1133 bytes) to show all Operation sub-panels.

Operations may operate on Objects, Faces or Points. Only those operations that apply to the current selection will be available

Detail Operations

operation-Bevel.gif (924 bytes)operation-Divide.gif (522 bytes)operation-Smooth.gif (525 bytes)operation-Extrude.gif (924 bytes)operation-Optimize.gif (521 bytes)operation-Solidify.gif (523 bytes)operation-SplitPoint.gif (143 bytes)operation-Tip.gif (529 bytes)operation-Triangulate.gif (523 bytes)operation-Trim.gif (912 bytes)

Detail Operations are used to add or remove detail from an object. They affect not only the shape of the object, but also the number of faces and points

operation-Bevel.gif (924 bytes) Bevel (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Deform Plug-In Package)

Bevels the selected faces.

If you do not have 3D Canvas Pro, you can bevel edges using the Extrude operation.

 

operation-Divide.gif (522 bytes) Divide (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Detail Plug-In Package)

Divides the faces that make up the selection.

 

operation-Smooth.gif (525 bytes) Smooth

Divides the faces that make up the selected object, and attempts to smooth it.

 

operation-Extrude.gif (924 bytes) Extrude

Extrudes and optionally Bevels the selected faces.

 

operation-Optimize.gif (521 bytes) Optimize

Optimizes the geometry of the object. This often results in a smaller number of polygons, but may also correct rendering problems that result from deformation, point editing and face editing.

It is also useful to optimize objects prior to Boolean set operations. This is likely to be useful when objects have been deformed, point edited or face edited.

 

operation-Solidify.gif (523 bytes) Solidify

Solidifies an object. Often when objects are imported from other 3D modeling programs, the objects are not solid. This operation attempts to fill any holes found. If this Operation does not make the object solid, or makes it even less solid, try using the Triangulate Operation on the object first.

 

operation-SplitPoint.gif (143 bytes) Split (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Detail Plug-In Package)

Splits the selected point or points.

 

operation-Tip.gif (529 bytes) Tip (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Detail Plug-In Package)

Creates Tips on the selection.

 

operation-Triangulate.gif (523 bytes) Triangulate (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Detail Plug-In Package)

Triangulates an object. This is commonly used in conjunction with the Solidify Object Operation to correct problems with geometries imported from other 3D modeling programs.

 

operation-Trim.gif (912 bytes) Trim (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Detail Plug-In Package)

Trims the selection.

Deform Operations

operation-Bend.gif (513 bytes)operation-Center.gif (528 bytes)operation-Invert.gif (516 bytes)operation-Mirror.gif (525 bytes)operation-Scale.gif (522 bytes)operation-Shear.gif (501 bytes)operation-Shift.gif (518 bytes)operation-SnapScale.gif (531 bytes)operation-Taper.gif (516 bytes)operation-Twist.gif (511 bytes)

Deform Operations change only the shape of an object.

operation-Bend.gif (513 bytes) Bend

Bends the selection.

 

operation-Center.gif (528 bytes) Center

Centers the selection on its frame.

 

operation-Invert.gif (516 bytes) Invert

Inverts the object. This results in the object becoming inside-out, or if the object was already inside-out, it will become right-side out. This is commonly used to correct problems with geometries imported from other 3D modeling programs.

 

operation-Mirror.gif (525 bytes) Mirror (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Deform Plug-In Package)

Mirrors the selected object along the Z axis.

 

operation-Scale.gif (522 bytes) Scale

Scales the selection. Note that this simply applies a Scale Operation to an object, with a default of 100% scaling in all directions. Use the Adjust Tool to modify the scaling effect.

This operation is provided to allow for animated scaling of objects. Objects are normally scaled by using the Edit Control.

 

operation-Shear.gif (501 bytes) Shear (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Deform Plug-In Package)

Shears the selection.

 

operation-Shift.gif (518 bytes) Shift

Shifts the selection.

 

operation-SnapScale.gif (531 bytes) Snap-Scale (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Deform Plug-In Package)

Snaps the size of the selected object to the Snap To Interval.

 

operation-Taper.gif (516 bytes) Taper

Tapers the selection.

 

operation-Twist.gif (511 bytes) Twist

Twists the selection.

 

Miscellaneous Operations

operation-Fill.gif (535 bytes)Operation-UnWrap.gif (197 bytes)Operation-UVMap.gif (197 bytes)operation-Burst.gif (522 bytes)operation-Crease.gif (514 bytes)Operation-Flatten.gif (148 bytes)Operation-Swirl.gif (167 bytes)

operation-Fill.gif (535 bytes) Material-Fill

Fills the selection with the current material from the Material Palette.

Typically this should be the final or near-final operation applied to an object since many Operations destroy any material applied. If you decide to apply a destructive operation after the material, you can move the material operation within the list of layers.

 

Operation-UnWrap.gif (197 bytes) Unwrap (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Material Plug-In Package)

The Unwrap operation is used to create a texture that can be painted in a Paint program and applied to an object.

 

Operation-UVMap.gif (197 bytes) UV Map (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Material Plug-In Package)

Fills the selection and permits manipulation of the created texture coordinates.

 

operation-Burst.gif (522 bytes) Burst

Burst the selected object.

 

operation-Crease.gif (514 bytes) Crease

Adjusts the creasing of the selected object.

 

Operation-Flatten.gif (148 bytes) Flatten (Available with 3D Canvas Pro and the 3D Canvas Deform Plug-In Package)

Flattens the selected object.

 

Operation-Swirl.gif (167 bytes) Swirl

Swirls the selected object.