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This makes the hollow sphere into a thin shell. Notice that the lighting inside the sphere is now correct.

Figure 11.16 shows the resulting shell.

FIGURE 11.16

The Shell modifier can add an inside to hollow objects.

Slice modifier

You can use the Slice modifier to divide an object into two separate objects. Applying the Slice modifier creates a Slice gizmo. This gizmo looks like a simple plane and can be transformed and positioned to define the slice location. To transform the gizmo, you need to select it from the Stack hierarchy.

Note

You can use the Slice modifier to make objects slowly disappear a layer at a time. •

The Slice parameters include four slice type options. Refine Mesh simply adds new vertices and edges where the gizmo intersects the object. The Split Mesh option creates two separate objects. The Remove Top and Remove Bottom options delete all faces and vertices above or below the gizmo intersection plane.

Using Triangular or Polygonal faces, you can also specify whether the faces are divided. Figure 11.17 shows the top and bottom halves of a hammer object. The right hammer is sliced at an angle.

FIGURE 11.17

The Slice modifier can cut objects into two separate pieces.

Note

Editable meshes also have a Slice tool that can produce similar results. The difference is that the Slice modifier can work on any type of object, not only on meshes. •

Skew modifier

The Skew modifier changes the tilt of an object by moving its top portion while keeping the bottom half fixed. Skew parameters include Amount and Direction values, a Skew Axis, and Limits. Figure 11.18 shows the hammer on the left with a Skew value of 2.0, in the middle with a Skew value of 5, and on the right with an Upper Limit of 8.

FIGURE 11.18

You can use the Skew modifier to tilt objects.

Stretch modifier

The Stretch modifier moves one axis in one direction while moving the other axes in the opposite direction, like pushing in on opposite sides of a balloon. Stretch parameters include Stretch and Amplify values, a Stretch Axis, and Limits.

The Stretch value equates the distance the object is pulled, and the Amplify value is a multiplier for the Stretch value. Positive values multiply the effect, and negative values reduce the stretch effect.

Figure 11.19 shows a Stretch value of 0.2 about the Z-axis applied to the hammer; the middle hammer also has an Amplify value of 2.0; and the right hammer has an Upper Limit value of 8.

FIGURE 11.19

The Stretch modifier pulls along one axis while pushing the other two.

Spherify modifier

The Spherify modifier distorts an object into a spherical shape. The single Spherify parameter is the percent of the effect to apply. Figure 11.20 shows the hammer with Spherify values of 10, 20, and 30 percent.

The Spherify modifier is different from the Push modifier. Although they both are applied to the entire object, the Push modifier forces all vertices continuously outward, and the Spherify modifier uses a sphere shape as a limiting boundary. The visible difference is that the Spherify modifier creates a bulging effect.

FIGURE 11.20

The Spherify modifier pushes all vertices outward like a sphere.

Tutorial: Making a fat crocodile

A good way to use the Spherify modifier is to add bulges to an object. For example, in this tutorial, you make a plump crocodile even fatter by applying the Spherify modifier.

To fatten up a crocodile character with the Spherify modifier, follow these steps:

1. Open the Fat crocodile.max file from the Chap 11 directory on the CD.

This file includes a crocodile model created by Viewpoint Datalabs.

2. With the crocodile selected, select the Modifiers⇒Parametric Deformers⇒Spherify menu command to apply the Spherify modifier to the crocodile.

The bulge appears around the object's pivot point.

3. In the Parameters rollout, set the Percent value to 15.

Figure 11.21 shows the plump crocodile.

Note

The drawback of the Spherify