Datasheet

tourinG the interFace
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Now you can see how easy it is to control and customize the Command panel interface. In
this and later chapters, you’ll explore the rollouts that appear in the Command panel.
cr e a t i n G ob j e c t S a n d Se t t i n G th e i r Pa r a m e t e r S
By now, you’ve seen most of 3ds Max’s interface and how it functions. However, you will want
to know about a few more tools and methods before you delve into using 3ds Max. In the fol-
lowing exercises, you’ll get a chance to create a simple object, and in the process, you’ll be intro-
duced to a few new tools.
1. On the Create tab of the Command panel, click the Geometry tool at the top of the panel,
as shown in Figure 1.18. Make sure that Standard Primitives appears in the drop-down
menu, and you will see the Object Type rollout with a set of object types.
2. Click the Box button. Additional rollouts appear in the Command panel. They include
Creation Method, Keyboard Entry, and Parameters. Notice that a message displays in
the prompt line at the bottom of the screen that says, “Click and drag to begin creation
process.” Also, the cursor in the graphic area displays as a cross, telling you that youre in
Object Creation mode.
3. In the Perspective viewport, place the cursor at the center of the graphic area at coordi-
nates 0,0, where the two darker grid lines intersect, and click and drag diagonally to the
upper-right corner of the screen—dont release the mouse button yet. As you move the
mouse, a rectangle follows your cursor. Notice that the values in the Length and Width
input boxes in the Parameters rollout change as you move the mouse.
4. Place the cursor so that the rectangle looks similar to the one shown in Figure 1.19, and
then release the mouse button. (You dont need to match the rectangle in the figure
exactly.) Now, as you move the cursor, the rectangle changes in height. Notice that the
Height value in the Parameters rollout also follows the change in height.
5. Adjust the height so that the Height parameter shows about 3´0˝ and click your mouse.
The box is now fixed at the height you selected. It should look similar to Figure 1.20.
Create a New Box If Necessary
The following steps only work as directed if you have not deselected the box. If you have, click the
Undo button in the main toolbar until the box disappears, create a new box, and then proceed with
the following steps.
Figure 1.18
(left) Click the
Geometry tool,
and (right) the
available Standard
Primitive object
types will appear.
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