The first step in
creating good computer art is the creation of the 3D model called a MESH OBJECT.
To do this you must first construct the building blocks of the model. These are called 2D
Shapes or Primitives, (i.e.: circles, squares, triangles etc...). The example to the left shows how many primitives can be combined to make a complex 2D shape like the text. Lucky for me 3D Studio has a text creation feature or this could be a long process to make text.
Can you count how many different shapes it would take to make this text?
2D shapes are also made up of smaller parts called Vertices and Segments Vertices are points on the shape that a Segment would connect to. A Segment is a line that is curved or straight used to make up the outline of the shape. So to create a square you would need 4 vertices and 4 Segments to construct a square.
The next (and last)
step in making a model is to give the 2D shape Depth or Lofting. The
shape is first placed on a Path shown in the example on the right as
a blue line in the upper left box. The path is then given the proper length for the depth
you want. The white lines crossing the path is the shape as it is lofted along the path. 