MODELLING CONCEPTS
Ridge clusters.
A ridge cluster is a set of six vertices which begin a change of direction (normally inside a boundary). The angles between some of the vertices which are naturally created during extrusion with scaling along a plane, create an arrangement of angles which are not well interpreted by the subdivision surface modifier and need to be fixed.
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A corner vertex and the two vertices to either side of it form the top of a ridge cluster and these are normally left in place. The three vertices that these are directly connected to in the direction of a boundary edge. They are normally fixed before control loops for that boundary are inserted.
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A Ridge Cluster
A fixed Ridge Cluster
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The two vertices at the outside are normally placed incorrectly during an extrusion and need to be moved until they are perpendicular to the top vertices in the cluster.
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You can see a (probably much clearer!) demonstration of this exact process when we create The King for the chess set.
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If they are not fixed, a thin ridge will be apparent in renders and the general spacing of your vertices will not be optimal for deformation and general use.
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Ridge clusters can also be used to your benefit in recreating shapes and ridges often seen in architectural design!
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