Geometric Theory and
mesh construction
Vertices
Vertices are found on 3D shapes. A vertex is a corner on a shape, you can
use the vertex to change the shape and layout of a shape. For example you
could turn a vertex into a curve to create a different shape.
As you can see on this image all the white dots mark
out where the vertices are on the shapes.
Vertices link up edges.
Edges
Edges are found in between vertices. In a standard box shape there would be
12 edges, each edge can be selected individually so you can edit the shape of
the box.
This is an edge.
When selected you can
edit it differently
depending on what you
want to do.
Polygons
A polygon is a multisided shape. In 3DS Max you can convert a shape to an
editable poly, when you do this you are able to select individual polygons which
you can edit differently. An example is the extrude button this lets you sink the
polygon into the shape or raise it from the shape also you could use inset
which make the polygon bigger or smaller.
Here is an example, the red section is the
selected polygon.
Meshes
A mesh is found on a 3D shape when pressing F3 and F4, the mesh shows the
structure of the shape. After doing this you will be able to do several things to
your shape for example use the boolean tool and others.
When the mesh is on you can see how many segments you have and also
many other things.
The white lines on this image is shown
when pressing F3 and F4.
Known as mesh.
2D – co ordinates
2D co ordinates are the co ordinates which 3DS max works off, it is for 2D
shapes and has two axis y and x. In the middle of the two axis there is a
meeting point which is known as zero.
3D Co ordinates
3D coordinates is practically the same as 2D other than it has an extra axis
which is z. This is for the depth of a shape and is used for when creating a 3D
shape in 3DS max.