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Adding polygons to a mesh

Lesson 1: Modeling a polygonal mesh

Terminating edge loops

 

Learning Resources > Tutorials > Getting Started with Maya > Polygonal Modeling > Lesson 1: Modeling a polygonal mesh > 

Splitting polygon faces

Earlier in the lesson you split the helmet mesh by inserting edge loops across the mesh. You can split localized areas of a mesh using the Split Polygon Tool. When using the tool you draw a line across the faces to indicate the location for the split. You'll begin by vertically splitting the face shield.

To split the face shield vertically

1. Select Edit Mesh > Split Polygon Tool > .

   The Split Polygon Tool settings editor appears.

2. Set the following options:
   • Split only from edges: On
   • Use snapping points along the edge: On
   • Snapping tolerance: 100

   These settings let you begin and end your split at a location that corresponds exactly with an edge and lets you snap to the midpoint and ends of the edge you select. (The number of points setting of 1 ensures this). These settings will help to ensure that the faces you split align exactly and that the four-sided topology of the mesh is maintained.

3. Tumble the camera in the perspective view so you can view both the upper inner edges of the face shield as well as the lower inner edges.
4. Click-drag the top inner edge of the face shield to indicate the start of the split (see image below). Drag the mouse to position the vertex until it stops at the right side of the edge.
5. Click-drag on the lower inner edge of the helmet mesh to indicate the end of the split (see image). Drag the mouse to the right until the vertex stops at the right side of the edge.
6. Press the y key to split the face.

   

7. Press the g key to select the Split Polygon Tool again, and then continue to split the face shield vertically at the other locations specified in the image below. Remember to press the y key after each split and then the g key to select the tool again.

   When you are finished the n-gon for the face shield will be split into four or five new polygons (depending on how you've constructed your mesh).

One polygon on the side of the face shield will still be five-sided. To correct this, you'll also split the face shield horizontally. Splitting the face shield horizontally will also let you modify its shape afterwards.

To split the face shield horizontally

1. In the perspective view, with the Split Polygon Tool still active, click-drag the inner side edge (see image) to indicate the start location for the horizontal split.
2. In the side view, click-drag the front vertical border edge of the face shield (this border edge lies on the axis of symmetry) and release the mouse button at the mid-point along the edge where the vertex naturally snaps (as if a magnet were attracting it towards that location).

   

3. Press the y key to split the faces.

   

   NoteWhen you split across multiple faces at the same time you only need to click an edge to indicate the start point for the split and on a second edge to indicate the end point. The Split Polygon Tool automatically splits the edges in between.
4. Press the q key to quit the Split Polygon Tool.

In the next steps you'll reposition some of the vertices along the horizontal split to make the face shield protrude outwards a small amount.

To adjust the shape of the face shield

1. In the side view, select the middle two vertices at the front of the face shield and use the Move Tool to move the vertices outwards (+Z) a small amount (see image).
2. In the perspective view, select the remaining middle vertices on the face shield one at a time and reposition them outwards a small distance using the Move Tool with the Move Setting option set to Normal.

   

   TipTumble the perspective view so you can see the relationship between the vertices as you move them outwards.
3. Reset the Move Tool's Move Settings to World before continuing to the next steps.

To create the diagonal grill vents on the lower front of the helmet you’ll insert edges on the face, reposition some of the vertices, and then extrude some of the faces.

To insert multiple edges for the diagonal grill vents

1. Select Edit Mesh > Insert Edge Loop Tool > .
2. In the Insert Edge Loop Tool Options window, set the following:
   • Multiple Edge Loops: On
   • Number of edge loops: 4
   • Auto Complete: Off

   These settings let you insert four evenly spaced edges on the face where you want the grill vents to appear.

3. In the perspective view, click the border edge of the face where the grill vents will appear and then click the edge directly opposite that border edge (see image).

   

4. Press the y key to complete the edge loop insertion
5. Click off the mesh to deselect the edges.
6. Press the q key to exit the tool and return to selection mode.

To make the grill vents appear diagonally you’ll select the vertices on the right side and then slide them downwards using the Move Tool.

To move vertices along an edge using the Move Tool

1. Right-click the helmet mesh and change the selection mode to Vertex.
2. Select the vertices on the right side of the grill feature (see image below).

   

3. Double-click the Move Tool icon to display the Move Tool’s settings editor.
4. In the Move Tools’ settings editor, click the Set to Edge button.

   The vertices appear unselected temporarily. The Move Tool expects you to select an edge it will reference for the axis of movement.

5. Click an edge that is on the same line of the edges as the vertices you selected.

   The Move Tool manipulator appears and is aligned to the edge you selected. The vertices appear selected again indicating that the Move Tool is now set to move those vertices along the axis defined by the edge you selected.

6. Drag the red arrow on the Move manipulator downwards to move the vertices so that the shape of the faces for the grill are more diagonal (see image).

   

   NoteMake sure you do not move the vertices so that the lowest vertex touches the corner vertices or you’ll create an edge that has zero length.
7. Click off the mesh to deselect the vertices.
8. Before proceeding to the next section, double-click the Move Tool and reset the tool settings by clicking the Reset Tool button.

To make the grill vents three-dimensional, you’ll extrude some of the thin diagonal faces inwards.

To extrude the faces for the grill feature

1. Right-click the helmet mesh and change the selection mode to Face.
2. Beginning at the bottom of the grill feature, shift-select the two diagonal faces as indicated in the image below.

   

3. Select Edit Mesh > Extrude.

   The Extrude manipulator appears.

4. Drag the blue arrow on the Extrude manipulator towards the helmet a short distance to create the two recessed vents for the grill.

   

5. Press the q key to quit the Extrude feature.
6. Shift-select the two side faces on the grill vents that lie on the axis of symmetry and delete them (see image below). These faces will not be required when you create the opposite half of the helmet.

   

7. Save your work before proceeding to the next section.