3ds Max 2012 Bible - Kelly L. Murdock [137]
World-Space modifiers are based on World-Space coordinates instead of on an object's Local Coordinate System, so after a World-Space modifier is applied, it stays put, no matter where the object with which it is associated moves.
Another key difference is that World-Space modifiers appear above all Object-Space modifiers in the Modifier Stack, so they affect the object only after all the other modifiers are applied.
Cross-Reference
All Space Warps are also applied using World-Space coordinates, so they also have the WSM letters next to their name. You can get more information on Space Warps in Chapter 42, “Using Space Warps.” •
Selection modifiers
The first modifiers available in the Modifiers menu are the Selection modifiers. You can use these modifiers to select subobjects for the various object types. You can then apply other modifiers to these subobject selections. Any modifiers that appear above a Selection modifier in the Modifier Stack are applied to the subobject selection.
Selection modifiers are available for every modeling type, including Mesh Select, Poly Select, Patch Select, Spline Select, Volume Select, FFD Select, and Select by Channel. There is also a Surface Select in the NURBS Editing category. You can apply the Mesh Select, Poly Select, Patch Select, and Volume Select modifiers to any 3D object, but you can apply the Spline Select modifier only to spline and shape objects, the FFD Select modifier only to the FFD Space Warps objects, and the NURBS Surface Select modifier (found in the NURBS Editing submenu) only to NURBS objects. Any modifiers that appear above one of these Selection modifiers in the Modifier Stack are applied only to the selected subobjects.
Cross-Reference
Each of the Selection modifiers is covered for the various modeling types in its respective chapter. For example, to learn about the Patch Select modifier, see Bonus Chapter 5 on the CD, “Working with NURBS.” •
When a Selection modifier is applied to an object, the transform buttons on the main toolbar become inactive. If you want to transform the subobject selection, you can do so with the XForm modifier.
Volume Select modifier
Among the Selection modifiers, the Volume Select modifier is unique. It selects subobjects based on the area defined by the modifier's gizmo. The Volume Select modifier selects all subobjects within the volume from a single object or from multiple objects. One of the benefits of using this modifier is that the subobjects within the volume can change as the object is moved during an animation sequence. It also can work with several objects at once.
In the Parameters rollout for the Volume Select modifier, you can specify whether subobjects selected within a given volume should be Object, Vertex, or Face subobjects. Any new selection can Replace, be Added to, or be Subtracted from the current selection. You can use the Invert option to select the subobjects outside of the current volume. You can also choose either a Window or Crossing Selection Type.
The actual shape of the gizmo can be a Box, Sphere, Cylinder, or Mesh Object. To use a Mesh Object, click the button beneath the Mesh Object option and then click the object to use in a viewport. In addition to selecting by a gizmo-defined volume, you can also select subobjects based on certain surface characteristics, such as Material IDs, Smoothing Groups, or a Texture Map including Mapping Channel or Vertex Color. This makes it possible to quickly select all vertices that have a Vertex Color assigned to them.
The Alignment options can Fit or Center the gizmo on the current subobject selection. The Reset button moves the gizmo to its original position and orientation, which typically is the bounding box of the object. The Auto Fit option automatically changes the size and orientation of the gizmo as the object it encompasses changes.
Note
The Volume Select modifier also includes a Soft Selection rollout.