Edge Actions

This section explains the different ZModeler Actions that can be applied to the edges of a model. To access the Edge menu, simply hover over an edge and either right-click or press the space bar.

Edge Actions may generate different results depending on which Target option is chosen.

For descriptions of the Targets see the Edge Targets page.

 


Add to Curve

The Add to Curve Action will generate a curve corresponding to the selected Target. The created curves can later be used with Curve Actions or other Curve brushes.

Important!

Note:
Curve Actions are only available when a Curve exists on the model.

 


Align

The Align Action will take a series of edges in continuous order and unifies their positions based on the selected modifier.

Before using the Action you must establish the first and last edges of the poly loop you want to affect. After clicking the last edge you will be able to align the edges in various ways such as a straight line or a partial circle.

Modifiers

Options

 


Bevel

The Bevel Action generates a new planar surface along the edges corresponding to the selected Target. The width of the bevel is determined by clicking and dragging.

Modifiers

 


Bridge

The Bridge Action connects one or more edges with polygons. This Action makes it possible for you to connect two edges or two edge borders together.

With Edges Target, the Bridge Action connects two edges together with a single polygon. When hovering over and edge with this Action selected, a widget with “Click first edge” and “Click second edge” will be visible. Upon clicking the second edge, the polygon will be created.

When using the Bridge Two Edges function, use caution. It can be easy to create invalid topology by clicking two edges which are not connected.

Important!

Note:
Because polygons are single-sided, it can be hard to see their edges from certain angles. Enabling Tool >> Display Properties >> Double makes the borders of polygons more visible.

With Two Holes Target, the Bridge Action connects the edge borders of two holes together to create a tube-like shape between them. The shape of the Bridge can be dras­tically impacted by the different options and modifiers explained below.

When hovering over and edge with this Action selected, a widget with “Click first edge” and “Click second edge” will be visible. It is important to continue holding the second click to enable the interactive part of this Action. This allows you to reshape the bridge in accordance with the selected modifiers.

Important!

Note:
Because polygons are single-sided, it can be hard to see their edges from certain angles. Enabling Tool >> Display Properties >> Double makes the borders of polygons more visible.

Modifiers (Two Holes Only)

While continuing to hold the second click, dragging the mouse vertically and horizon­tally will reshape the bridge. Horizontal movement increases or decreases the curvature while vertical movement controls tessellation of the spans.

Pressing the Shift Key will snap to the optimal curvature depending on the modifier that is selected.

Options (Two Holes Only)

Alternative Operations (Two Holes Only)

 


Close Hole

The Close Hole Action fills openings in the model. This process contains two Targets.
Close Concave Hole fills the hole using the same algorithm used in the Tool >> Geometry >> Modify Topology >> Close Hole function. It simply closes the hole of the clicked open edge loop.

Important!

Note:
A hole can be filled only if the topology allows it.

When associated with the Convex Target, the Close Hole Action uses a different al­gorithm to fills the space. The shape of this fill can be drastically impacted by the options and modifiers described below.

It is important to continue holding the click after selecting the edge of the hole. This enables interaction for you to reshape the created surface.

Modifiers (Convex Hole Only)

While continuing to hold your click open edge loop, moving the cursor horizontally or vertically modifies the shape of the surface being created. Horizontal movement chang­es the curvature and elevation. Vertical movment affects the amount of tessellation that is applied.

Options (Convex Hole Only)

Alternative Operation (Convex Hole Only)

 


Collapse

The Collapse Action will remove the selected edge, fusing the connected vertices together.
When used with:

 


Crease

The Crease Action applies edge creasing to the Targeted edges.

Alternative Operation

 


Delete

The Delete Action deletes the edge(s) corresponding to the selected Target.

 


Do Nothing

The Do Nothing Action is an empty Action. When this is active it will prevent the possibility of accidentally performing an Edge Action by mistake while using the ZModeler brush. If you know that you only want to use Poly or Point Actions, having this active and hovering over a point will default to a Poly Action instead.

 


Extrude

The Extrude Action will extrude a selected edge on a model. The extrude edge Ac­tion creates a polygon between the clicked edge and the opposite edge. When using this Action, triangles will be created on the extruded part.

The position of the cursor when clicking on the Target edge defines the direction of the extrusion.

Alternative Operations

Modifiers

 


Insert

The Insert Action creates an edge loop along the clicked ring of edges. The insert Action will continue across the entire edge loop.

If you want the Inserted edge to only be generated through part of an edge loop, you can use a mask to protect the portions of the model where you do not want the Inserted edge to be generated.

The Insert Action uses two Targets: Multiple Edgeloops and Single EdgeLoop. If using the Multiple Edgeloops Target you will have access to modifiers that help generate advanced shapes.

Modifiers

Alternative Operations

 


Inset

The Inset Action inserts a new polygon within the selected face or group of faces.

The different modifiers not only change the shape of the inserted polygon(s) but also allow for control over how these new polys are connected to the original surface.

Modifiers

Alternative Operations

 


Mask

The Mask Action applies a protective mask to the clicked edge, preserving it from manipulation until the mask has been cleared.

It is possible to click on multiple items, masking all of them if needed.

Alternative Operation

 


Move

The Move Action lets you freely relocate the selected edge relative to the screen’s working plane.

Alternative Operation

 


Move Auto Radius

Move Auto Radius shifts the whole edgeloop by slowing decreasing the strength of the move.

Alternative Operations

 


Move Brush Radius

Move Brush Radius moves the edges based on the Draw Size.

Alternative Operations

 


Move Infinite Radius

Move Infinite Radius shifts the whole edgeloop based on depth of the camera view.

Alternative Operations

 


PolyGroup

The PolyGroup Action sets a new PolyGroup for the Targeted edge. The modifiers below define how these PolyGroups are created.

Modifiers

Important!

Note:
Unlike other Actions where the Alt key can change the PolyGroup, this operation isn’t pos­sible for the PolyGroup Action when Overwrite is active. You need to switch to the Additive modifier instead.

 


QMesh

The QMesh Action creates an extrusion of the edges corresponding to the selected Target. This extruded edge creates a polygon between the clicked edge and the opposite edge, creating a triangle shape on the side of the extruded part.

By default, the QMesh operation is exactly the same as Extrude Edge, except that:

The Draw Size has impacts the attraction of the fusing operation: a small Draw Size will trigger a strong fuse operation while a larger Draw Size will apply weaker fusing.
The position of the cursor when clicking on the Target edge affects the direction of the extrusion. It is important to carefully position your cursor before executing the Action.

Options

Modifiers

Alternative Operations

 


Scale

The Scale Action resizes the Targeted edges. When scaling a single edge its two points will be affected. While scaling a polyloop, a larger part of the model may be scaled depending its path.

 


Slide

The Slide Action shifts the Targeted edges along their connected polygons.

 


Spin

The Spin Action rotates the clicked edge counter-clockwise around the two adjacent polygons. This Action is very convenient when you wish to change the model’s topology.

Alternative Operation

 


Split

The Split Action inserts a point on the clicked edge and connects it to all adjacent edges. Dragging the point during the Split Action allows you to move it along the edge.

Alternative Operation

 


Stitch (Hole)

The Stitch Action closes the edges of a hole, welding them together. Since the two clicked edges are welded together, the alignment of the clicked edges will define the resulting topology.

The Stitch Action produces better results when the hole has constant and uniform topology, such as with a poly loop shape.

 


Swivel

The Swivel Action rotates the clicked edge or edge loop around the polygon’s op­posite edge. The Action is performed by clicking the edge and dragging.

 


TransPose

The TransPose Action automatically masks all edges except the clicked edge and switches to TransPose Move mode. At this stage, you can perform all the usual Trans­Pose operations.

Please keep in mind that while you are in TransPose, you are no longer in Draw mode and so the ZModeler brush will no longer be active. To switch back to it, return to Draw mode.

Important!

Note:
Don’t forget to clear your mask before performing other operations.

 


Unweld

The Unweld Action disconnects the clicked edges corresponding to the Target and creates creasing on the border edges. Extruded polygons are created to keep the original shape visually separate when Dynamic Subdivision is enabled.

The Unweld Action doesn’t split the model in multiple SubTools; it just disconnects the topology.