8

694 Chapter 8: Modifiers
which it’s applied. Thus, for best results,
use it with relatively low-polygon objects.
For example, if you usually work with the
Sphere object at the default 32 segments, u se a
16-segment sphere with HSDS.
Iftheobjectismadeupofquadsonly,Force
Quads isn’t available because no conversion is
necessary.
3. Choose a sub-object mode at which to
subdivide.
The object is covered with a gold cont rol
grid (or, in Vertex sub-object mode, a white
grid with blue vertices), indicating that the
entire mesh is available for subdivision and/or
sub-object transformation at base level.
4. Select one or more sub-objects.
5. Click the Subdivide button.
The modifier again subdivides and smoothes
theselectedsub-objectsaswellasall
surrounding polygons. The resultant
sub-objects reside at a higher level of detail,
as indicated by the addition of a level in the
Subdivision Stack. Now the control grid
showsonlypolygonsatthenewlevel. With
sub-objects other than Element, this typically
covers only part of the object’s surface.
A control grid on a sphere at level 2. Subdivisions at
lower levels are visible as gold lines.
Inwireframeviews,youcanstillseepolygons
at lower levels of detail, but you can select only
sub-objects resulting from the subdivision, as
indicated by the control grid. You can subdivide
sub-object s further, transform them, hide and
delete them, and change material IDs.
Note: When you transform an HSDS sub-object,
the control grid tends to expand by adding
segments at its edges, in order to maintain
surface smoothness.
6. To subdivide a different part of the object,
choosealowerlevelintheSubdivisionStack,
and then repeat steps 2–4.
Each time you subdivide a sub-object that
has been subdivided, a higher level in the
Subdivision Stack is hightlighted, indicating a
finer mesh resolution. You can then work at that
level, or any lower level by selecting the level.
Note: Ifyoutransformasub-objectatalevel
lower than the hi ghest level in which the subject
exists, the mesh uses the resolution imparted by
the detail in the higher levels.