Use this tool if you want to modify the complexity of an object:
· Decimation allows you to reduce the complexity of an object and the size of the file while preserving the objects’s general appearance.
· Tessellation subdivides a facet into four facets.
This tool does not use Dynamic Geometry properties. In fact, it will delete the D.G. properties (if any) of your object, and you will no longer be able to use the features of D.G. to modify your object. (Amapi 3D will not display the palette described above for this object).If you want your object to retain its D.G. properties, do not use any of these tools on it. See chapter User Manual/The objects/Dynamic Geometry).
Decimation allows you to reduce the complexity of an object and the size of the file while preserving the object’s general appearance.
It uses a polygon reducer which operates on polygonal objects only (not NURBS objects). (See chapter User manual Tools/Construction/ Polygonal and NURBS drawing modes).
Usage:
1. Selecting the element you want to simplify.
Click with the Wand on the element you want to simplify. It becomes the current element.
2. Selecting the Decimation tool.
Click on the icon depicting the tool in the Modeling Tools Palette.
3. Percentage of decimation modification.
The “+/-” Tuner appears. You can adjust the percentage of decimation. This percentage is the ratio between the number of resulting polygons and the number of initial polygons.
You can adjust the value as follows:
· By pressing the “+” or “-” keys of the keyboard.
· By clicking the “+” or “-” icons of the Assistant Palette.
· By moving the Slider in the numerical dialog.
The numerical dialog allows you to adjust the percentage of decimation. This percentage is the ratio between the resulting number of polygons and the initial number of polygons.
The decimation generates a triangular wireframe.
You can edit the decimation percentage several ways:
“Remote” interaction:
You can modify this value using any of the following methods:
· The Tuner, by pressing the “+” or “-” keys of the keyboard or by clicking the “+” or “-” icons of the Assistant Palette.
· The Remote Control (See chapter User Manual/ Data window/ Modify a numeric data/ Remote interaction/ The Remote Control).
· The Slider in the numerical dialog (See chapter User Manual/ Data window/ Modify a numeric data/ Remote interaction/ The slider).
Numerical setting:
If you prefer setting the value numerically, press the Tab key, enter a value, and validate.
4. Simplification.
Amapi 3D displays the simplified object. You can return to the previous step or go on to the next one.
5. Ending the tool action.
Put the tool aside to end the action (depending on the interface). See chapter User Manual/ Tools/ Generic use of a tool/ How do you end a tool action?
This function subdivides one or all the faces of an object into four facets
You can request quadrangular or triangular tessellation.
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Quadrangular tessellation |
Triangular tessellation |
Usage:
1. Selecting the element you want to modify.
Click with the Wand on the element you want to simplify. It will becomes the current element.
2. Selecting the Tessellation tool.
In the Modeling Tools palette, move the cursor to this icon 
, and this icon 
will appear on its left.
Click on this icon.
3. You can perform a tessellation of all the facets.
Press the Return key once you have selected the tool.
4. Switching from one tessellation mode to another.
Press the spacebar to switch from triangular tessellation to quadrangular tessellation and back.
Switching the tessellation mode affects all the operations previously performed with the tool on the current object. That is, if you tessellate in one mode, then switch to the other mode, the previously tessellated faces will be retessellated using the current tesselation mode.
5. Click on each facet that you want tessellate.
The facets are displayed one by one. You may return to the previous step if necessary.
6. Tessellation.
Amapi 3D displays the modified object. Then, you may return to the previous step or go to the next one.
7. Ending the tool action.
Validate or put the tool aside to end the tool action (depending on the interface). See chapter User Manual/Tools/Generic use of a tool/How do you end a tool action?
