More Tutorials
by Chris Tyler: Fundamentals | Modeling
Texturing | 7.5 Rendering
UV Mapping | Misc
8.0 Specific

Using incidence angle to control the stencil channel

Christopher Tyler May, 13th 2012 4 Comments

CX Texturing, CX Version 7 Specific, Design 3D CX

This texturing tutorial shows how to use the stencil channel to change the appearance of a surface as the curvature changes (using an interpolator like Fresnel or Cosine). This has important implications for materials like metals.

More Tutorials
by Chris Tyler: Fundamentals | Modeling
Texturing | 7.5 Rendering
UV Mapping | Misc
8.0 Specific

When it's ok to use triangles in a subdivision surface mesh

Christopher Tyler May, 12th 2012 1 Comment

CX Advanced, CX Modeling, CX Version 7 Specific, Design 3D CX

This modeling tutorial shows when it's ok to use triangles in a subdivision surface mesh. Quads are the preferred polygon type when creating a mesh that is intended to be subdivided. But there are times when triangles work well and may in fact be preferred.

More Tutorials
by Rodrigo Duarte: - How To Create Basic Metallic Textures
- An Introduction To Glass
- Gems 101

Using the Adjust Map dialog to quickly edit texture and background maps

Rodrigo Duarte May, 11th 2012 0 Comments

CX Lighting, CX Texturing

There's a very useful tool hidden within the texture and background editing dialogues: the Adjust Map dialog. It can often save us a trip to Photoshop, and is a great tool for tweaking the mood of a scene by editing Light Domes.

More Tutorials
by Chris Tyler: Fundamentals | Modeling
Texturing | 7.5 Rendering
UV Mapping | Misc
8.0 Specific

Scaling from the side of an object numerically

Christopher Tyler May, 10th 2012 0 Comments

CX Beginner, CX Intermediate, CX Modeling, CX Version 7 Specific, Design 3D CX

This quick object manipulation tutorial shows how to numerically scale an object while keeping one side stationary. Objects are normally scaled numerically from the center of the object, not from the object pivot (or origin). This shows how to scale so one side remains stationary using the Snap Tool. This also shows how to use the Keyboard shortcuts dialog to assign a key to the Snap Tool.

More Tutorials
by Rodrigo Duarte: - How To Create Basic Metallic Textures
- An Introduction To Glass
- Gems 101

Using the Joint Tool to create a length of chain

Rodrigo Duarte May, 9th 2012 0 Comments

CX Modeling

Chains are a most interesting object to model. They also can be frustrating at times, keeping the sequence of the chain intact can be daunting. With the recentering of objects and the Joint Tool things are greatly simplified.

More Tutorials
by Rodrigo Duarte: - How To Create Basic Metallic Textures
- An Introduction To Glass
- Gems 101

Using a Displacement map to model part of a plug

Rodrigo Duarte May, 7th 2012 5 Comments

CX Beginner, CX Modeling, CX Texturing

Displacement map textures are not for every modeling job, but they are very well suited for some tasks. In this tutorial we will use one such texture to model the piece that reinforces the connection of the cable to the plug.

Design 3D CX

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Using incidence angle to control the stencil channel

When it's ok to use triangles in a subdivision surface mesh

Using the Adjust Map dialog to quickly edit texture and background maps

Scaling from the side of an object numerically

Using the Joint Tool to create a length of chain

Using a Displacement map to model part of a plug