Topology Dialog

Command entry:Modeling ribbon

Graphite Modeling Tools tab

Polygon Modeling panel [expansion]

Generate Topology

The topology tools rework an object’s mesh subdivision into procedurally generated patterns. You can apply a topology pattern over an entire surface or a selected section.

The various topology tools are described following. The descriptions of the tools only suggest how you can use the tools, and you can combine multiple tools to create new patterns. Try experimenting with applying a tool several times to generate a different pattern. A typical use of these tools could be to first generate a topology pattern of some sort, and then extrude or bevel different parts to form a structure.

Interface

NoteThe topology tools work at the object level and all sub-object levels. They are available with only one object at a time (not a multiple-object selection), and by default affect the entire object. To confine a tool’s effect to the current sub-object selection, press and hold Shift before clicking.

Also, all tools have assignable CUI action items available in the PolyTools category, as noted in the following descriptions.

Wall

Generates a wall-type topology with bricks of different sizes.

CUI action: TopoWall

Tiles

Generates a tile-type topology.

CUI action: TopoTiles

Bricks

Generates brick topology.

ImportantThis tool requires one edge to be selected. The direction of the edge determines which way is "up" on the bricks. The tool works only if the selected edge is within quad topology.

CUI action: TopoBrick

Hive

Generates hive-type topology.

ImportantThis tool requires one edge to be selected. The direction of the edge determines which way is "up." The tool works only if the selected edge is within quad topology.

CUI action: TopoHive

Tiles2

Works like Tiles (see preceding), but the resulting tiles are slightly more random.

CUI action: TopoTiles2

Mosaic

Generates mosaic topology, with random bricks of different sizes.

CUI action: TopoMosaic

Floor

Works like Tiles (see preceding), but generates the pattern in a crossing direction.

CUI action: TopoFloor

Floor2

Works like Wall (see preceding), but generates the pattern in a crossing direction.

CUI action: TopoFloor2

Skin

Generates a skin-type topology, with rounded patches.

CUI action: TopoSkin

Holer

Generates "holes" in the topology.

If you press Alt the result is more chaotic and less rounded, because it removes vertices with only two edges going from them.

CUI action: TopoHoler

Diamond

Changes the direction of the edges to a regular diagonal pattern.

CUI action: TopoEdgedir

Simplify

Simplifies the topology by removing random parts, but keeping certain areas of edges intact.

CUI action: TopoSimplify

Chaos

Generates a chaotic topology, with randomly shaped patches.

CUI action: TopoChaos

Fours

Generates a tile-type topology, which consists of mostly larger quads.

CUI action: TopoFours

Stars

Generates a random smoothed-stars topology.

CUI action: TopoStars

Cross

Generates a topology with crosses.

CUI action: TopoCross

Planks

Generates a plank-type topology, with "planks" of different sizes.

CUI action: TopoPlanks

Planks2

Similar to Planks (see preceding) but with broader planks.

CUI action: TopoPlanks2

Planks3

Generates a topology with large crosses of "planks."

CUI action: TopoPlanks3

Planks4

Similar to Planks (see preceding) but with longer planks.

CUI action: TopoPlanks4

Tatter

Generates "holes" in the topology, separated by rows of polygons.

The three numeric settings apply to Tatter only, before applying the tool.

SizeDetermines the overall size of the generated holes.
IterationsDetermines the number of different sizes for the generated holes.
SmoothDetermines how rounded the generated holes will be.

CUI action: TopoTatter

ScrapVerts

Removes all vertices in the mesh with two edges going from them.

CUI action: TopoScrapV

Plane

Creates a Plane object and converts it to editable poly format for quick testing of the different tools. The value of the "S" parameter determines the number of segments in the plane.