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168 Chapter 5: Creating Geometry
2.
In any viewport, drag to define a radius for the
base of the cone, then release to set it.
3. Move to up or down to define a height, either
positive or negative, then click to set it.
4. Move to define a radius for the other end of the
cone. Decrease this radius to 0 for a pointed
cone.
5. Click to set the second r adius and create the
cone.
Inter face
Creation M ethod rollout
Edge—Draws a cone f rom edge to edge. You can
change the center location by moving the mouse.
Center—Draws a cone from the center out.
Parameters rollout
Thedefaultsproduceasmooth,roundconeof
24 sides with the pivot point at the center of the
base.Therearefiveheightsegmentsandonecap
segment. For improved rendering, increase the
number of height segments for smoothly shaded
cones, particularly those w ith pointed tips.
Radius 1, R adius 2—Sets first and second radius for
the cone. The minimum setting is 0. Minus values
are converted to 0. You can combine these settings
to create pointed and flat-topped cones, upright or
inverted. The following combinations assume a
positive height:
Radius Combinations Effect
Radius 2 is 0 Creates a pointed cone
Radius 1 is 0 Creates an inverted pointed
cone
Radius 1 is larger than
Radius 2
Creates a flat-topped cone
Radius 2 is larger than
Radius 1
Creates an inverted
flat-topped cone
IfRadius1and2arethesame,acylinderis
created. If the two radius settings are close in size,
the effect is similar to applying a Taper modifier
to a cylinder.
Effect of Radiu s setti ngs
Height—Sets dimension along the central axis.
Negative values create the cone b elow the
construction plane.
Height S egments—Sets the number of divisions
along the cone’s major axis.
Cap Segments—Sets the number of concentric
divisions around the center of the cone’s top and
bottom.
Sides—Sets the number of sides around the cone.
Higher numbers shade and render as true circles
with Smooth selected. Lower numbers create
regular polygonal objects with Smooth off.