Shade 9 Transform

Transform Overview

The Transform plug-in is used to modify an object by editing a curved surface surrounding the object.

Using the Transform Plugin

1. Select the shape you want to transform.

Note: The shapes you can transform with this plug-in are line objects, curved surfaces, and polygon meshes. It does not support extruded or revolved objects. Although the plug-in does not support multiple selection, you can put multiple shapes and parts together in one part and then transform that part (the plug-in does not support the Root Part).

2. Select the Transform: Preparation option from the Modify tool in the Toolbox. The Transform: Preparation dialog box appears.

You can set the extrude direction and the open line divisions, and then click the OK button. Refer to the Reference section below for more information on the options.

TIP: This plug-in can also be accessed by selecting Tools / Modify / Transform: Preparation from the menu bar, or selecting Modify / Transform: Preparation from the contextual menu in the Figure window.

3. A transformation surface is automatically created, and the preparation for transforming is completed. During the preparation, the Shade message window shows the names of the shapes/parts being processed in sequence.

This transformation surface (an open line object corresponding to the side faces of a shape that is converted from an extruded rectangle) is used for the transformation.

4. Edit the transformation surface as needed.

You can freely edit both the lines in the selected direction and in the lateral direction, including their tangent handles.

Note: You cannot add or delete points to the transformation surface. Therefore be careful when configuring the Open line divisions parameter.

5. When you finish editing the transformation surface, you can apply the transformation.

With the transformation surface (or the line objects composing the transformation surface) selected, choose Transform: Execution from the Modify tool in the Toolbox. The transformation starts.

During the transformation, the Shade message window shows the names of the shapes/parts being processed in sequence.

6. Editing and transforming of the transformation surface can be repeated any number of times. Each time you perform the Transform, a new transformed shape is generated.

Objects before the transformation are not shown here.

The Browser window after the second transformation has been made. Entries for the last transformation appear at the top.

TIP: When you are finished transforming, you can take the transformed shape out of the Transformation Part, and delete the Transformation Part. Or, if you want to go back to the original pre-transformation shape, take the original shape out of the Original Shapes part, then delete the Transformation Part.

Transform Reference

Transform: Execution Dialog Box

Axis Parallel to Extrusion Pull-down Menu

Sets the extruded direction for a transformation surface.

This transformation surface is created in the direction of the axis specified in this pull-down menu.

Open Line Divisions Text Box

Sets the number of divisions in the direction that the transformation surface is extruded.

Notes on the Transform Plugin

When a closed line shape is transformed, all the points may not exist on the same plane in the resulting shape. In these cases, the plug-in will not render properly. |