Modeling an Apple

Modeling an Apple

Improving the Shape of the Apple

 

Autodesk 3ds Max Tutorials >  Modeling Tutorials > Modeling an Apple > 

Creating the Basic Apple Shape

First you will create the basic apple shape from a sphere and modifiers.

Create the apple:

1. Choose File > Open and open the file tut_apple_start.max from the \tutorials\intro_to_modeling folder. Highlight the file and click Open.

   There is no geometry in this file; however, it does contain a material you will need.

2. On the Create panel, under Standard Primitives > Object Type, click Sphere.

   The button turns yellow, indicating the Sphere command is ready for you to make a sphere.

3. In the Top viewport, drag to create a sphere that has a Radius of 10.
4. In the Name and Color rollout, name the sphere apple.
5. Click Zoom Extents All to zoom all the viewports.

Change the rendering background color:

You'll be able to see the apple better if you render it against a white background.

1. From the Main menu, choose Rendering > Environment to display the Environment and Effects dialog.
2. In the Common Parameters rollout > Background group, click the black Color box to display the Color Selector dialog. Set Value to 255 and click Close to accept the value and close the dialog.
3. Close the Environment and Effects dialog.

Apply an apple material:

1. Press M on the keyboard to open the Material Editor.
2. From the Material Editor, drag the material shiny apple to the apple sphere in any viewport.
3. Close the Material Editor.
4. Right-click in the Perspective viewport to activate it. On the toolbar, click Quick Render, or press F9 to render the viewport without clicking a button.

   

   Rendered apple against White background

Taper the apple:

Selecting what you want to work on is the first step in modeling. Until you make a selection, all modifier choices are unavailable. In this case, the apple should be selected; when selected, its wireframe mesh is displayed in white.

Modifiers can be selected from the Modifier List on the Modify Panel, or from the Modifiers Menu. Here you'll use the menu option at the top of the interface.

1. On the 3ds Max menu bar, on the Modifiers menu, choose Parametric Deformers > Taper to apply this modifier to the sphere of the apple.
2. In the Parameters rollout > Taper group, adjust the Amount parameter and watch the effect in the viewports. You only need a small amount of taper. Adjust the parameter to about 0.85.
3. On the Parameters rollout > Taper Axis group, set Primary to Z and Effect to XY.