New Subdiv Symmetry Align Tool

We added the Subdiv Symmetry Align tool to improve your layer symmetry workflow. Use it with layer symmetry to preview the limit surface shape across the center line as if the model were a single welded subdivision object.

The tool is for preview only and does not create real geometry. When active, the aligned preview (shown in green) matches the opposite side’s limit surface, giving you an accurate view of the final welded result. When turned off, the preview displays in black.

To duplicate the aligned geometry, use Duplicate > Mirror. When you enable Merge Subdiv, CVs merge using the Weld Tolerance value set in Subdiv Symmetry Align, so they don’t need to sit directly on the symmetry plane.

For more information, see Subdiv Symmetry Align.

New Subdiv Reform Workflow Enhancements

We've extended the Subdiv Reform tool to include a new workflow that provides more accurate and predictable results when generating subdivision models from automotive mesh objects. Turn on Car Exterior in the Reform tool options to expose the new workflow which can use guide and feature curves to aid the tool in generating the subdivision topology, enabling more precise shape reproduction of the source mesh.

Use the new feature set to quickly take your conceptual design output meshes to the modeling stage. Turn on Car Exterior, select your mesh, then add two wheel arch curves and one baseline curve. This new workflow requires that the mesh has two wheel arch curves and one baseline curve before it can work.

Continue to direct the topology flow by adding feature or guide curves. After generating the subdivision object, begin refining the model using the Subdiv Retopo tool with a single click. You can also add closed area curves to simplify geometry, for example, around the wing mirror. You can also add your own guide curves to the mesh object to further refine the shape of the subdivision model.

For more information, see Reform Tool Workflow - Car Exterior Mesh.

New Subdiv Retopo Tool Additions

A new Match Limit Surface option has been added to the Subdiv Retopo tool. When you turn on the Match Limit Surface option, the Retopo tool attempts to place the limit surface on the input geometry versus placing the control cage vertices on the input geometry. This feature is available in the Subdiv Reform and Subdiv Align to Curve tool.

This results in a more accurate representation of the original geometry, making it easier for you to work with complex shapes and details.

This feature is available in the Subdiv Reform and Subdiv Align to Curve tool.

Improved Face Highlighting in Box Mode Shading

In Box Mode shading, selected faces highlighting now in a different color. By default, selected faces highlight orange, but you can set a custom color in the User Colors Window. This improvement makes it easier to distinguish between selected and non-selected faces when working in Box mode.

Subdiv Cut tool Enhancements

A new Angle Snap Increment feature lets you specify the angle of your cut, allowing you to make precise cuts faster. When placing a point for a cut, holding down the Alt key now snaps the placement of the next cut point to the angle set by the Angle Snap Increment. For example, if you set Angle Snap Increment to 45 degrees, pressing Ctrl while placing a point first snaps to an angle of 45 degrees relative to the previous point, then 90 degrees, and so on.

For more information, see Cut.