Sculpt a subdivision surface mesh

You can sculpt subdivision surfaces using the Sculpt Geometry Tool.

One advantage of sculpting with subdivision surface models is that it is possible to add finer levels of detail to regions of the mesh that require it by refining those areas of the model. The increased level of detail provides the Sculpt Geometry Tool with more information to sculpt finer detail on the model.

To sculpt a subdivision surface model using the Sculpt Geometry Tool

1. Select the subdivision surface or the vertices on the subdivision surface in the region you want to sculpt.
2. From the Polygons menu set, select Mesh > Sculpt Geometry Tool >.

   The Sculpt Geometry Tool Settings editor appears and the Maya cursor changes to a brush icon to indicate it is in sculpting mode. You use the options located under Sculpt Parameters to control how your brushing actions on the surface either push, pull, or smooth the vertices on the subdivision surface mesh.

3. In the Sculpt Parameters section, under Operation, click Push or Pull.
4. Do any of the following:
   • Brush across the surface to push or pull vertices.
   • Press b and drag left or right while pressing the left mouse button to change the brush radius.
   • Press m and drag left or right while pressing the left mouse button to change the maximum displacement setting for the Sculpt Geometry Tool.
   • If Push is selected, depressing changes the current operation to Pull.
   • If Pull is selected, depressing changes the current operation to Push.
   • In both cases, depressing changes the current operation to Smooth.
5. If you need to add additional detail to the surface when you sculpt the surface see To refine a subdivision surface while sculpting below.

To refine a subdivision surface while sculpting

1. If vertices are selected on the subdivision surface when working in the Sculpt Geometry Tool you can right-click on the subdivision surface to display the context sensitive marking menu and choose Refine Selected from the menu.

   Vertices are added to the subdivision surface in the localized area where the vertices were selected.

2. If vertices are not currently selected on the subdivision surface you must do the following to refine the subdivision surface:
   • Press the right mouse button and select vertex from the marking menu that appears to display vertices for the subdivision surface.
   • Choose the Select Tool from the Toolbox. (Hotkey: q)
   • Select the desired vertices on the subdivision surface.
   • Right-click the subdivision surface to display the context sensitive marking menu and choose Refine Selected from the menu.
3. Return to sculpting mode again by selecting the Sculpt Geometry Tool icon in the Toolbox. (Hotkey: y)

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