Opening the tutorial file

1. Choose File > Open to open the File Browser.
2. In the File Browser, locate the CourseWare directory and set it as the Current Project.
3. Open the file called joystick.wire, located in the wire directory in the CourseWare project.

   For information on how to open a file, see Opening the tutorial file.

   A dialog box appears, asking if you want to delete all objects, shaders views, and actions. Click Yes.

   

   If your values for construction tolerances differ from those in the joystick.wire file, you will be presented with a dialog:

   

   Click Accept New Settings to use the construction tolerances in joystick.wire.

   The file is opened.

   

   NoteThe scene contains two reference images on canvas planes. You will use these as a guide to model the joystick.

   If you do not see any images, choose WindowDisplay > Toggles > Canvas Planes to turn on the display of canvas planes.

   To turn off the borders for canvas planes, choose WindowDisplay > Toggles > Construction Objects .

   If the modeling views do not occupy the full size of the Alias window, choose Layouts > All Windows > All Windows .

Creating the Joystick Handle

You will start by creating a curve that follows the profile of the joystick handle, which will later be used to revolve a surface for the handle.

1. Maximize the Left view by clicking on the square icon on the top right of the Left view window.

   

2. Choose Curves > New Curves > New CV Curve .

3. This tool allows you to create a curve by placing control vertices (CVs, for short). CVs control the shape of a curve.

4. Hold down the (Windows) or (Mac) key to turn on grid snap mode, and click the on the grid intersection at the top of the handle.

   

   A control vertex appears.

   This is the first CV of the curve and is displayed as a small box.

5. Release the (Windows) or (Mac) key to turn off grid snap mode.
6. Press and hold the to the right of the first CV to create the second CV. Move the mouse button to position the CV, then release the middle mouse button.

   

   The second CV is displayed as a small U.

   By using the middle mouse button, the second CV is horizontally aligned with the first CV. Having these two CVs aligned horizontally helps to avoid a bump or dimple in the top when you revolve the surface.

   NoteThe straight red line joining the first and second CVs is not the curve. It is the hull. Hulls connect all the CVs on a curve.
7. Press and hold the along the edge of the joystick handle outline to create the third CV. Move the mouse to position the CV and then release the left mouse button.

   

   The third CV appears. This and all further CVs on the curve are displayed as small crosses. The hull now consists of two red straight line segments between the first, second and third CV.

8. Press and hold the again to position the fourth CV along the edge of the handle outline.

   

   The fourth CV appears.

   A white curve now connects the first CV and the fourth CV. The hull now consists of three red straight line segments that connect all the CVs together.

   At this point, don’t worry about the shape of the curve. Later, you will adjust the position of each CV to change the shape of the curve.

9. Continue to place four more CVs in the following positions to complete the curve.

   

10. Choose Pick > Nothing to complete the curve and unpick it.

Editing the handle profile curve

Now, you will move CVs to edit the shape of the profile curve to match the reference image.

1. Choose Pick > Point Types > CV .
2. Use the to click the third CV or drag a pick box around it.

   Remember, CVs do not lie on the curve; they are located on the hull.

   

3. Choose Transform > Move and drag the mouse to move the CV so that the curve lies directly on the edge of the handle sketch.

   

4. Click the fourth CV to pick it.

   

5. With the Move tool still active, drag the mouse to move the CV so the curve lies on the edge of the handle sketch.

   

6. Continue picking and moving CVs until the curve matches the sketch.

   

Revolving the handle profile curve

Next, you will revolve the profile curve to create a surface for the joystick handle.

1. Choose Surfaces > Revolve .

   

   In the prompt window, which is just below the menu bar, you are prompted to select a curve to revolve.

   

2. Click on the profile curve to select it.

   

   The curve is revolved and a surface is created.

   

   When you initially create a surface of revolution, it has two green manipulators. These manipulators enable you to easily change the sweep of the profile curve and the angle of the revolution axis. The surface you have created is correct, and so you won’t adjust the manipulators.

3. Choose Pick > Nothing to unpick the surface.

   

   The manipulators disappear.

Modifying the handle curve and surface

Most surfaces you create in Alias have what’s known as construction history. Construction history allows you to easily change a surface after you have created it.

For example, if you move a CV on the original profile curve, the revolved surface will automatically update.

Next, you will move a CV to see the effect of construction history.

1. Choose Pick > Point Types > CV and click the third CV to pick it.

   

2. Choose Transform > Move and drag the mouse to move the CV slightly.

   

   When you release the mouse button the revolved surface automatically updates.

   

3. Choose the Edit > Undo tool, or the hotkey + Z (Windows) or + Z (Mac) to undo the move.

   The surface is now complete, so next, you will turn off the CV display for the curve.

   TipIt is good practice to turn off the CVs for curves and surfaces, if you don’t need to use them. This helps to reduce clutter on your screen and makes your model easier to view. It is easy to turn the CVs back on if you need to work with them.

   On the Control Panel on the right of your screen is a Display section.

   

   TipIf the Control Panel is not displayed, choose Windows > Control Panel to make it visible.

   In the Display section, the CV/Hull check box indicates that the CVs and hulls are currently visible.

   

4. With the CV still selected, click the CV/Hull check box to remove CVs from the curve display.

   

   The CVs and hulls are no longer displayed in the view.

   

5. Choose Layouts > All Windows > All Windows to return to the four views.

   

   TipThe hotkey for Layouts > All Windows > All Windows is the F9 function key. Use this to set the screen to show all four views at any time.

Saving your work

Now, you will save the scene as a new file.

1. Choose File > Save As to open the File Browser.
2. In the File Browser, locate the Lessons directory. Set the Lessons directory as the Current Project.
3. Save your work in the wire directory of the Lessons project.
4. Name your file myjoystick.wire.

For information on creating the Lessons project, or saving your work, see Saving your work.