Tutorial 2 - More Modelling Techniques

Lathing is a modelling technique when you can rotate an object 360 degrees around any direction of the objects pivot point. This can be used to create round objects like bowls and glasses. To use the Lathe, highlight the object you wish to change, you must first move the pivot point. This is done by using the object hierarchy. Once the pivot has been moved select modify, and then select lathe modifier.

Loft is a technique in which you can take a shape and make it follow another shapes path to make it 3D. An example of this would be drawing the shape of a hanger, then making it follow the outline of a hanger. This will therefore make a 2D object into 3D. To loft objects, two  shapes must be created. A primary shape(hanger) and a secondary shape (Small circle). Highlight the primary shape and go Create, compound objects and then select loft. Then select "Get shape" in the loft properties box and select the secondary shape.

Boolean is a technique in which you can either merge to objects together into one object, or minus one object from another. The more objects you have on a stage, the longer it will take to render, therefore merging two objects together will reduce the render time.

Arrays are used to create duplicates of objects, and place them in different positions in the x, y and z coordinates. An example situation when an array could be used to to make a set of stairs out of boxes. Each box is raised and sent back a little behind the previous box. To make a Array select a shape and then go to Tools, and Array. This will open a pop up box where you can specify how many copies you want to make and each copies new position. Although making array will be useful in a few circumstances, I do not see any use for arrays in my trailer.