User Guide > Modeling > Techniques   

Beveling a Polygonal Cube

The Poly Bevel tool lets you bevel points and edges on a polygonal object. This helps provide a visible edge on your model. For a default cube, a bevel only requires the selection of the desired points or edges. This lesson also includes a more complex shape where extra steps are required to get the desired result.


1. Create a polygonal cube

Create a new geometry object. Press i to go to the geometry level and delete the default geometry. Press tab > box to create a cube. Make sure the cube's Primitive type is set to Polygon.


2. Bevel the points of the cube

Press tab > PolyBevel. Press 1 to change your selection type to points and make sure all the corner points are selected. RMB-click to bevel the corners. Next MMB-click to bring up a value grid then use the .01 grid to adjust the bevel inset. You can also change this value in the Operations control bar or the Parameter pane.


3. Bevel the edges of the cube

To change your selection to edges, press ` or choose Select > Reselect geometry from the Viewer pane menu. Your selection type is automatically changed to edges. RMB-click to accept. Now the same bevel is being applied to all the edges. You can again MMB-click to adjust the bevel inset.


4. Resize the original cube and adjust the bevel

In the Network pane, click on the box operator. In the Parameter pane set the Size Z value to 3. This stretches the box along the Z axis. You will also notice that the bevel is stretched. By default the bevel is calculated relative to its surrounding primitives with the bevel inset representing a percentage of the primitive size.

Click on the polybevel operator and choose the Absolute button. MMB-click to set the Absolute Inset using the value grid. Now the bevel inset represents a real world value that is the same for all edges.


5. Cut the original Cube with a second Cube

In the Network pane, set the Display flag for the box operator. In the viewer pane, press tab > box to add another cube. Use the handle to move the new cube along the X and Y axes so that it intersects the first cube.

Press tab > cookie. Press 7 to switch to connected primitive selection. The new cube should be selected. RMB-click to accept. Click on any part of the original cube. RMB-click to accept. In the Parameter pane, set the Operation to B minus A. Now the original cube has a portion cut out of it.


6. Test the bevel on the new shape

In the Network pane, set the Display flag for the polybevel operator. Not all the edges are being beveled. Press ` to re-invoke selection then press a to select all the edges. RMB-click to accept. The bevel is not working where the two shapes were cut out. The edge points need to be fused.


7. Fuse the corner points and re-bevel

Set the Display flag for the cookie operator. In the viewer pane, press tab > Fuse. Press a to select all the edges then RMB-click to accept. Again, set the Display flag for the polybevel operator. There is an error because the number of edges has been reduced by the fuse operation. Press ` to re-invoke selection then press a to select all the edges. RMB-click to accept. Now the bevel is working correctly. Adjust the Absolute Inset to suit the new shape.


Conclusion

Always be sure that your polygonal model is properly fused before beveling. Remember that you can choose between a relative inset which works based on the size of the surrounding polygons or an absolute inset which works with a real world value.