Add Edge Tool not making edges

[Rabid pitbull]

Could it be that you have 2 objects? I have been equally frustrated when tryin to create edges on two objects I thought were merged. A screenshot might help.

[kookachoo]

what i have is a polygon sphere that im trying to make into a face, i bought the Official Softimage|XSI 4 Guide to character creation. It told me to use a sphere scale the end of the sphere down to make it have the basic form of a mouth, then delete half of the sphere, create a new model then make an instance of that half. Then they tell me to add edges around the mouth so we can start giving it detail, yet i cant even add an edge.

Is it because its symmetrical or an instance that i cant create edges around the mouth?
Ill try to post a screenshot later, i need to take a break from this thing.... and i havent gotten anything done yet :(

[Rabid pitbull]

Yes when you duplicate a object like this it will be 2 objects, you cannot create edges from one object to another. You should do a merge of the two objects so you can add edges accross to the other side. first select both objects the the merge command.

create-poly mesh-merge

[Rabid pitbull]

also pressing the 8 key will bring up the explorer, this is a good way to see the scene contents. And another hint is if you see a blue line on a object, this indicates an open end.

Now I don't know the tutorial you are working on but it seems that something went wrong during the duplication, be sure that you chose the correct method several different duplication techniques.

good luck
James

[Foot]

I don't think XSI will allow you to add edges directly to the instance. As you add edges to the 1/2 sphere poly object, they will be added automatically to the instance so you don't have to worry about it. When you are done with the general shape of the face, delete the instance and then go to the modify subheading under the model toolbar, then select Poly.Mesh > Symmetrize Polygons (the menu choice is about a third of the way down that large section of choices).

This will automatically make the 2 halves one whole object, but it will get rid of the automatic mirroring of polygon/point/edge modification.

[kookachoo]

well im not trying to add edges to the instance, i have tried to when i couldnt add to the object but it wouldn't let me.
I seem to have gotten around this problem by just subdividing the edges and moving the points to where i wanted the edges to be made. Hopefully when i buy foundations this isn't gonna happen again.

thanks for the help guys

[Vertizor]

Couple suggestions:

1. After deleting half of the sphere, take the remaining half and clone it. Once you clone it, you have a new sphere named something like "Sphere1" (the original being just plain ol' "Sphere"). Well the name is not so important, but know that after cloning the new clone is automatically selected. Look over to the right panel where the transform boxes are, we want to scale the clone on the -X axis. So in the Scale transform section, put "-1" in the box for the X axis. This will invert the cloned half.

Because this is a clone, whatever you do to the original, even editing topology, will reflect on the clone. For an added ease-of-use, go into the Visibility options of the clone and deselect "Selectibility." That way you won't accidentally select it. It'll just be there for reference. When you're done modeling you can delete the clone, and Symetricize polygons on the original. Also keep in mind that if you "freeze" the clone you lose that connection with the parent.

2. I like to use Slice Edges and check the parallel slice to add loops. Or you can select parallel loop first to get a prview to make sure it's correct before making the slice.

[Rabid pitbull]

Good call Vertizor, i didnt think you could add geometry to a clone from original like that. That is exactly the way to go.:thumbsup:

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