Using the Object Building Tools

Panel-Components-ObjectBuildingTools.gif (2001 bytes)

Click Button-Panel-ObjectBuildingTools.gif (140 bytes) to show the Object Building Tools panel. Or select the Component Tab Button-Construction-Component.gif (1131 bytes) to show all component sub-panels.

To add an object to your scene, click on the Object Builder's icon and drag it on to your Scene. The Object Builder will then open so that you create your object.

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The Lathe Tool

The Lathe Tool is used to create objects by taking a plane and rotationally sweeping it through space. The volume swept through is the new object. For example, a semi-circle rotated through space creates a sphere, and a rectangle rotated through space creates a cylinder.

 
Panel-Components-ObjectBuildingTools-ExtrudeTool.gif (1043 bytes)

The Extrude Tool

The Extrude Tool is used to create objects by taking a plane and sweeping it through space along a path. The volume swept through is the new object. For example, sweeping a circle along a straight path results in a cylinder being created.

 
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The Text Tool

The Text Tool is used to create 3D Text objects.

 
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The Surface Tool (Available with 3D Canvas Pro)

The Surface Tool is primarily used to create organic objects. Objects are built from a patchwork of surfaces.

 
The Terrain Tool (Available with 3D Canvas Pro)

The Terrain Tool is used to create landscapes. Terrain can be based on a picture that is used as height map, or it can be based on fractal or random calculations.

To modify an object created with an Object Builder, double-click on the object within the scene.