3ds Max 2012 Bible - Kelly L. Murdock [140]
Note
Although the joints settings enable you to select only one of three different types, you can use the Scatter compound object to place any type of object instead of the three defaults. To do this, apply the Lattice modifier and then select the Distribute Using All Vertices option in the Scatter Objects rollout. •
Figure 11.12 shows the effect of the Lattice modifier. The left hammer has only joints applied, the middle hammer has only struts applied, and the right hammer has both applied.
FIGURE 11.12
The Lattice modifier divides an object into struts, joints, or both.
Mirror modifier
You can use the Mirror modifier to create a mirrored copy of an object or subobject. The Parameters rollout lets you pick a mirror axis or plane and an Offset value. The Copy option creates a copy of the mirrored object and retains the original selection.
Note
The Mirror modifier works the same as the Mirror command found in the Tools menu, but the modifier is handy if you want to be able to quickly discard the mirroring changes. •
Noise modifier
The Noise modifier randomly varies the position of object vertices in the direction of the selected axes. Noise parameters include Seed and Scale values, a Fractal option with Roughness and Iterations settings, Strength about each axis, and Animation settings.
The Seed value sets the randomness of the noise. If two identical objects have the same settings and the same Seed value, they look exactly the same even though a random noise has been applied to them. If you alter the Seed value for one of them, then they will look dramatically different.
The Scale value determines the size of the position changes, so larger Scale values result in a smoother, less rough shape. The Fractal option enables fractal iterations, which result in more jagged surfaces. If Fractal is enabled, Roughness and Iterations become active. The Roughness value sets the amount of variation, and the Iterations value defines the number of times to complete the fractal computations. More iterations yield a wilder or chaotic surface but require more computation time.
If the Animate Noise option is selected, the vertices positions will modulate for the duration of frames. The Frequency value determines how quickly the object's noise changes, and the Phase setting determines where the noise wave starts and ends.
Figure 11.13 shows the Noise modifier applied to several sphere objects. These spheres make the Noise modifier easier to see than on the hammer object. The left sphere has Seed, Scale, and Strength values along all three axes set to 1.0, the middle sphere has increased the Strength values to 2.0, and the right sphere has the Fractal option enabled with a Roughness value of 1.0 and an Iterations value of 6.0.
FIGURE 11.13
The Noise modifier can apply a smooth or wild look to your objects.
Cross-Reference
The Physique modifier is one of the original Character Studio tools. Although both modifiers still exist, the Skin modifier is preferred. It is covered in Chapter 40, “Skinning Characters.” •
Push modifier
The Push modifier pushes an object's vertices inward or outward as if they were being filled with air. The Push modifier also has one parameter: the Push value. This value is the distance to move with respect to the object's center.
The positive Push value pushes the vertices outward away from the center, and a negative Push value pulls the vertices in toward the center. The Push modifier can increase the size of characters or make an object thinner by pulling its vertices in. Figure 11.14 shows the hammer pushed with 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 values.
FIGURE 11.14
The Push modifier can increase the volume of an object.
Preserve modifier
The Preserve modifier works to maintain Edge Lengths, Face Angles, and Volume as an object is deformed and edited. Before an object is modified, make an additional copy. Then edit one of the copies. To apply the Preserve modifier, click the Pick Original button; then click the unmodified object, and finally click the modified object. The object is