Bevel Modifier

The Bevel modifier extrudes shapes into 3D objects and applies a flat or round bevel to the edges. A common use for this modifier is to create 3D text and logos, but you can apply it to any shape.

• Select a shape. > Modify panel > Modifier List > Bevel
• Enhanced menu: Select a shape. > Modifiers menu > Spline > Bevel

Bevel takes a shape as the base of a 3D object. You then extrude the shape up to four levels and assign an outline amount for each level.

Beveled text

Procedures

Example: To create beveled text:

This example produces typical 3D beveled text, with equal bevels in front and back.

1. Create text using default settings.

   Font=Arial, Size=100.0.

2. Apply the Bevel modifier.
3. Type -1.0 in the Start Outline field.
4. For Level 1, do the following:
   • Type 5.0 for Height.
   • Type 2.0 for Outline.
5. Turn on Level 2, and do the following:
   • Type 5.0 for Height.
   • Type 0.0 for Outline.
6. Turn on Level 3 and do the following:
   • Type 5.0 for Height.
   • Type –2.0 for Outline.
7. If needed, turn on Keep Lines From Crossing.

Interface

Parameters rollout

Capping group

You can determine whether or not the beveled object is capped at either end with the checkboxes in the Capping group.

Start

Caps the end with the lowest local Z value (bottom) of the object. When turned off, the bottom is open.

End

Caps the end with the highest local Z value (top) of the object. When turned off, the end is left open.

Cap Type group

Two radio buttons set the type of cap used.

• Morph Creates cap faces suitable for morphing.
• Grid Creates cap faces in a grid pattern. This cap type deforms and renders better than morph capping.

Surface group

Controls the side curvature, smoothing, and mapping of the surface.

The first two radio buttons set the interpolation method used between levels; a numeric field sets the number of segments to interpolate.

• Linear Sides When active, segment interpolation between levels follows a straight line.
• Curved Sides When active, segment interpolation between levels follows a Bezier curve. For visible curvature, use multiple segments with Curved Sides.

  Segments Sets the number of intermediate segments between each level.

  

  Four-level bevels with 1 and 2 segments

  

  Bevels with linear and curved sides

  

  Rounding and smoothing the bevel object sides

Smooth Across Levels

Controls whether smoothing groups are applied to the sides of a beveled object. Caps always use a different smoothing group than the sides.

• When turned on, smoothing groups are applied to the sides. The sides appear rounded.
• When turned off, smoothing groups are not applied. The sides appear as flat bevels.

Generate Mapping Coordinates

When turned on, mapping coordinates are applied to the beveled object.

Real-World Map Size

Controls the scaling method used for texture mapped materials that are applied to the object. The scaling values are controlled by the Use Real-World Scale settings found in the applied material's Coordinates rollout. Default=on.

Intersections group

Prevents sharp corners from overlapping neighboring edges.

Bevel works best with rounded shapes or shapes with corners greater than 90 degrees. Acute angles (less than 90 degrees) produce extreme bevels and often overlap nearby edges.

Keep Lines From Crossing

Prevents outlines from crossing over themselves. This is accomplished by inserting extra vertices in the outline and replacing sharp corners with a flat line segment.

Using Keep Lines From Crossing:

.

Left: Off

Right: On

Separation

Sets the distance to be maintained between edges. The minimum value is 0.01.

Changing the Separation value

Bevel Values rollout

Contains the parameters that set the height and bevel amount of up to four levels.

A beveled object requires a minimum of two levels: a start and an end. You add more levels to vary the amount and direction of bevel from start to end.

You can think of bevel levels as layers on a cake. The Start Outline is the bottom of the cake and the Level 1 parameters define the height and size of the first layer.

Levels 2 and Level 3 are optional and allow you to change the bevel amount and direction. Turning on Level 2 or Level 3 adds another layer to the beveled object with the height and outline specifying the amount of change from the previous level.

The last level on is always the top of the object.

You must always set the Level 1 parameters.

Traditional beveled text uses all levels with these typical conditions:

• Start Outline can be any value, usually 0.0.
• Level 1 Outline is a positive value.
• Level 2 Outline is 0.0. No change from Level 1.
• Level 3 Outline is the negative of Level 1. Returns Level 3 to the same size as the Start Outline.

Start Outline

Sets the distance the outline is offset from the original shape. A non-zero setting changes the original shape's size.

• Positive values make the outline larger.
• Negative values make the outline smaller.

Level 1

Includes two parameters that indicate the change from the Start level.

• Height Sets the distance of Level 1 above the Start level.
• Outline Sets the distance to offset the Level 1 outline from the Start Outline.

Level 2

Adds a level after Level 1.

• Height Sets the distance above Level 1.
• Outline Sets the offset distance of the Level 2 outline from Level 1.

Level 3

Adds a level after the previous level. If Level 2 is not on, Level 3 is added after Level 1.

• Height Sets the distance above the previous level.
• Outline Sets the offset distance of Level 3 from the previous level.