About subdivision modeling

What are Alias subdivision bodies

Subdivision bodies are a type of geometry in Alias that provide smooth continuous surfaces for creating objects and organic shapes. Alias subdivision bodies comply with standard Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces, which makes them like subdivision surfaces in other content creation applications, such as Autodesk® Maya® and Autodesk® 3ds Max®. However, Alias subdivision bodies are a collection of continuous NURBS surface patches so they also inherit characteristics from Alias surfaces. This means that Alias subdivision bodies include the strengths of Alias NURBS surfaces and traditional subdivision surfaces.

For example, working with continuous subdivision surfaces let you interact with your model in ways that are similar to polygon modeling. This can accelerate the design process by enabling new workflows for fast form-finding and concept modeling. The tight integration with NURBS surfaces lets you enhance concept designs by adding high-quality surfacing details, such as trimming, fillets, and panel gaps to your subdivision bodies. The result is a hybrid modeling environment unique to Alias that lets you incorporate both types of geometry into your concept design workflow.

Modeling subdivision bodies

You can model your subdivision using several toolsets including:

Reviewing modeling subdivision bodies

You can review and evaluate your concept design using:

Converting and transferring subdivision bodies

After completing your subdivision model, you can:

Using the subdivision control cage

When you model subdivision bodies, you modify the subdivision control cage. The control cage consists of control vertices. edges, and faces. Edits that you make to these components, drive the changes to the underlying continuous NURBS surface. For example, you can transform control vertices and edges, and extrude faces.

Note:

If you cannot select a subdivision edge or CV, make sure that CV/Hull is turned on in the Display section of the Control Panel.

  1. To open the Control Panel, select Window > Control Panel.

  2. In the Control Panel, turn on CV/Hull.

For more information, see Modeling control panel.