Swift 3D
V4 Review
reviewed by kirupa
In the previous
page I went over the interface of Swift 3D. This page
will cover what you and I would probably use Swift 3D for;
creating 3D content!
Creating and Editing 3D
One of the primary reasons you or anyone else would buy
Swift 3D is to be able to create and edit 3D models. There
are several ways you can use 3D content in Swift. You can
use the basic shapes and symbols that come with Swift 3D,
you can create your own 3D models, or you can import your
own models from another application.
For most users interested in
creating something simple in 3D without burying themselves
with 3d editing, you will find that that
Swift 3D's collection of pre-existing editable shapes will
work quite nicely. While you are limited as to the variety of the
shapes you can use, you can edit those shapes in a variety
of ways and adjust the color, texture, and more in a few
simple clicks.
The following is an image
showcasing the various, simple pre-built objects you can
use:
After a while, you may decide
to take a giant leap forward in your 3D experience and create your own 3d shapes for
modeling and animation. If you are creating your own models,
you can use the Extrusion or Lathe Editors for a simple way
of getting your series of lines or dots into a 3D shape. The
lathe editor allows you to draw a rough cross-section of
something in a 2d grid, and what you drew will be spun
around an axis to create a 3d shape. The extrusion editor,
simply put, converts whatever you draw in a 2d grid into 3D
by adding depth - it basically extrudes!
A highly anticipated feature
in Swift 3D v4 is the Advanced Modeler. This feature gives
you extensive control over your 3D object, for you can now
deform, stretch, and modify your 3D shape in numerous ways
with great flexibility. Before you had the Advanced Modeler,
you had to use creative workarounds that incorporated other
shapes to compensate for the lack of detail in your model.
With the Advanced Modeler, you can adjust a 3D shape
directly in much the same way you would create or modify something (to
borrow a phrase from Erain's tutorials) using clay.
The following is a screenshot
of me adjusting what looks like an old-fashioned carnival
tent using the Advanced Modeler:
Being able to create the
above shape without using the Advanced Modeler would have
required me to use two objects with each one having been
created using either the lathe and extrusion editors. The
Advanced Modeler simplifies more complex designs such as the
above by enabling you to modify only one object as opposed
to multiple objects. This tool is also great for deforming
your 3D shape by using the built-in tools for dragging and
altering the vertices of your shape.
Finally, you may decide to
use models and shapes created in other programs in Swift. Right off the bat
you can use Swift 3D to import Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD,
and EPS files. Editing items created in other programs and
imported into Swift is no different than editing objects you
create in Swift itself.
I am far from being done reviewing this
program, for there is more to Swift 3D! Onwards to the
next page!
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