2009

Table Of Contents
To display the helmet mesh in shaded X-Ray mode
1 With the helmet still selected, choose the following from the side views
panel menu:
Shading > Smooth Shade All
Shading > Wireframe on Shaded
Shading > X-Ray.
The helmet mesh updates to a semitransparent shaded display with the
wireframe. You can see the 2D image behind the mesh.
2 Repeat the previous step for the front view as well.
After setting the shading for the objects in the various views, you may
wish to adjust the Alpha Gain setting on your image planes to change
their transparency. As you gain experience with Maya, youll develop
your own personal preferences for modeling in wireframe or shaded mode
and switching between the various shading modes.
Model symmetry
Whenever you model an object, you should take advantage of any symmetry
that the form provides. It can save you time and effort if you work on only
one half of the model and then later copy it across the models axis of
symmetry. The sketch of the helmet is symmetrical along its center line (YZ
plane).
84 | Chapter 3 Polygonal Modeling