8

Bridge Borders/Polygons Dialog 1069
object, the bridge polygons face inward. But if you
create a br idge that goes through empty space,
such as when connecting sub-objects between two
elements, the polygons face outward. To make
thebridgepolygonsfacedifferently,usetheFlip
function.
Examples of an internal bridge (left) and an external b ri dge
(right), the latter connecting two elements
Note: Bridging two elements makes them
contiguous, combining them into a single element.
Inter face
Bridge lets you use existing poly/border selections,
or pick them from the dialog. Choose one of the
following:
Use Specific Polygons/Border s—In this mode, use
the Pick buttons to designate polygons or borders
for bridging.
Use Polygon/Bor der S election—If one or more
qualifying selection pairs exist, choosing this
option connects them immediately. If not, you can
select pairs of sub-objects in a viewport to connect
them.
Ifyoumakemorethantwoqualifyingselections,
Bridge connects them in increasing order of ID.
For example, if you select polygon 12, 35, and 89,
Bridge connects polygons 12 and 35. But if you
then deselect polygon 35, Bridge then connects
polygons 12 and 89.
Polygon/Edge 1 /2—Click each Pick button in turn,
and then click a polygon or border edge in a
viewport. At the Border sub-object level, clicking
any edge on a border designates the entire border
for bridging. Also, the edges you pick on each
border are connected directly, and the remaining
edges are connected in consecutive order. You can
changetheorderoftheedgecorrespondenceswith
the Twist settings. Available only in Use Specific
mode.
After clicking a sub-object, the Pick button shows
its ID number. You can change the selection at
any time by clicking a Pick button and picking a
different sub-object.
Twi st 1/2—Rotates the order of connection
between the edges of the two selec tions. The two
controlsletyousetadifferenttwistamountfor
each end of the bridge.
Segments—Specifies the number of polygons
along the length of the bridge connection. This
setting also applies to manually bridged polygons.
Tip: When using Taper, set Segments to a value
greater than 1.
Taper—Setstheextenttowhichthebridgewidth
becomessmallerorlargertowarditscenter.
Negative settings taper the bridge center sma l ler;
positive settings taper it larger.