This section uses the native tools within Strata as an
introduction to the basic concepts of building a model in 3D.
While its core modeling toolset is certainly complete enough to
make good models using what it calls a Bézier Surface, Strata
does skip over some of the tools for making basic, low-poly
models, like the ability to split polygons in a mesh and extrude
polygons within a mesh. If you are interested in this style of
modeling, check out Nendo. You can easily import your Nendo
models into Strata.
Extrude a 2D Object Almost any 3D package can import an EPS file
and extrude the shapes to give them depths, but we are going to
take this opportunity to get acquainted with Strata's Bézier path
creation tool.
1. First select the filled Bézier path tool from the
flyout under the pen icon in the toolbar, as seen
here:
2. Using the same modifiers as you would in
Flash, draw a path that looks like the outline of a piece of
bread. To get the point in the middle with split tangent handles,
first drag the regular tangent handle to where it looks about
right; then hold down ALT to split the handles. You should get
something like that shown in the next image. Notice that the way
you draw the final point (over the original point, to close the
path) is backward from the way most 2D graphics tools work — you
drag back toward the last point you drew instead of following
through.
3. If you have trouble with your path, you edit
it by selecting Modeling | Reshape or pressing CTRL-L. When you
are done editing with the pointer tool in reshape mode (the point
tool acts almost identically to a 2D subselection tool), you can
exit back to object mode by selecting Modeling | End Reshape/
Edit or pressing CTRL-E.
4. Next, select the extrude tool (just below
scale on the toolbar) and drag the piece of bread to your desired
thickness. You can enter the depth of the extrusion directly into
the object palette, as shown below. This palette also gives you a
number of options for the shape of the bevel.
Lathe a 2D Object
A 3D bottle of something cold would be nice to go with our 3D
bread.
1. Draw half of a profile of a bottle with the
Bézier path tool, including the inner wall, as shown
here:
2. Next choose the lathe tool from the toolbar.
It is just above the sphere primitive tool. The lathe acts just
like its real-world namesake, cutting the shape of the 2D path
into an imaginary piece of 3D material spinning on the axis you
choose with the lathe tool.
Figure 20.7 Adjusting lathe parameters in the
object dialog
3. Drag the lathe tool on your outline to get the
lathe process started; then enter 360 degrees or 1 rotation in
the object palette to get the exact rotation you want, as shown
in Figure 20-7.
