Modify Panel

From the Create panel of 3ds Max, you place basic objects in your scene, including 3D geometry, 2D shapes, lights and cameras, space warps, and helpers.

• Command panels > Modify panel

Each object you add has its own set of creation parameters, which define its geometry and other characteristics, depending on the type of object. Once placed in a scene, objects carry their creation parameters with them. You can change these parameters on the Modify panel.

You also use the Modify panel to assign modifiers. Modifiers are tools for reshaping an object. While they mold the final appearance of the object, modifiers do not change its underlying creation parameters.

You use the Modify panel to:

• Change the creation parameters for existing objects.
• Apply modifiers to adjust the geometry of an object or a set of objects.
• Change the parameters of modifiers and choose their components.
• Delete modifiers.
• Convert a parametric object to an editable object; see Modifier Stack Controls.

Note: Some space warps can be created as modifiers. See World-Space Modifiers (WSMs).

The Modify panel stays in view until you dismiss it by clicking the tab of another command panel. The top section of the panel always contains name and color controls, optionally the current modifier set buttons, the Modifier List, and the modifier stack and related controls. The remaining contents of the panel (various rollouts with options and controls) update when you select an object, giving you access only to what you can modify about that object.

What you can modify depends on whether an object is classed as a geometric primitive like a sphere, or as another kind of object, such as a light or a space warp. Each category has its own range of possibilities. The contents of the Modify panel are always specific to the category as well as to the selected object. When you make a change from the Modify panel, you immediately see the results transferred to the object.

You can change or delete modifiers by using the Modifier Stack Controls.

Procedures

To use the Modify panel:

1. Select an object.
2. On the Command panel, click the Modify tab to display the Modify panel.

   The name of the object appears at the top of the Modify panel, and the remainder of the panel displays settings for the object or the modifier at the top of its stack.

3. You can now do any of the following:
   • Change the parameters for the object. As you change these parameters, the object updates in the viewports.
   • Apply a modifier to the object.
   • Change the parameters for a modifier. As you change these parameters, the object updates in the viewports.
   • Collapse the stack to create an editable surface such as an editable mesh.

To apply a modifier from the Modify panel:

1. Select an object.
2. On the Command panel, click the Modify tab to display the Modify panel. On the Modify panel, click the Modifier List to open the list of modifiers.
3. Scroll through the list to find the modifier you want. You can use any standard method:
   • From the keyboard, press (up arrow) or (down arrow) to scroll one item at a time, press or to scroll in screen-height increments, or press or End to jump to the top or bottom of the list. The name of the chosen modifier is highlighted, and the name appears at the top of the list.
     Tip: If you know the modifier name, you can jump to its section by pressing the keyboard key corresponding to first letter of the name. To cycle through all modifiers starting with that letter, press the key repeatedly.
   • With the mouse, slide the scroll bar on the right side of the list, or scroll the mouse wheel.
4. Apply the modifier. If using the keyboard, press to apply the highlighted modifier. If using the mouse, simply click the modifier name to apply it.