Refining surface components
By default, a subdivision surface displays up to three levels of detail (0, 1, and possibly 2). The 0 level is
the least refined. You can increase the level of detail for a selected region to at most 13 levels. Though
increasing the number of levels allows more precision, it also slows Maya processing. You'll accomplish
most of your modeling needs at levels 0, 1, and 2.
If you display level 2 vertices on the hand, you'll notice that there are no level 2 vertices near the
fingertips. To create the indentation of a finger nail, you need more vertices than levels 0 and 1 provide.
In the next steps, you'll add level 2 vertices at a fingertip so you can create a fingernail.
To create more precision in the fingernail region
1. Switch to level 1.
2. Right-click the surface and select Edge from the marking menu.
3. Shift-click to select the edges that surround the region where you'll shape a nail.
4. To increase the amount of detail at the selected edges, select Subdiv Surfaces > Refine Selected
Components. Additional surface curves appear in the fingernail area, indicating you can edit with
more precision.
5. In the scene view, right-click LeftHand and select Vertex from the marking menu. This displays
additional level 2 vertices in the fingertip region.
6. Select Modify > Transformation Tools > Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings window, turn on
Normal, then close the window. You can thereafter use the Move Tool manipulator to move
vertices in a direction normal (perpendicular) to the surface.
7. Select the vertices in the nail region.
8. Drag the Move Tool's N manipulator down slightly to form the depression of a fingernail bed.
Creating a crease in a subdivision surface
One of the unique features of subdivision surfaces is that it's easy to create a crease or ridge on a
smooth surface. You'll do this in the next steps.
To crease the edge of the fingernail
1. Switch to Edge selection mode and shift-click the edges around the nail to select them. (It might
be easier to see the desired edges by first selecting Shading > Wireframe.)
2. After you select the edges, select Subdiv Surfaces > Full Crease Edge/Vertex.
Once you crease an edge, it displays with a dashed line as a visual reminder that the edge has
been creased. If you change your mind, you can remove the crease using Subdiv Surfaces >
Uncrease Edge/Vertex.
3. To create a ridge at the edge of the nail, switch to Vertex selection mode and select the level 2
vertices on the skin at the perimeter of the previously selected edges. Move them up so that the
skin's juncture with the nail forms a slight ridge.
4. Now experiment on your own by moving individual vertices to shape the nail and surrounding region
as desired. A few suggestions follow:
In Smooth Shade display mode (Shading > Smooth Shade All), certain vertices might be below the
shaded surface and therefore impossible to select and move. To display and select such vertices,
switch to wireframe shading (Shading > Wireframe). After selecting the vertices, return to Smooth
Shade display mode so you will be able to more easily see the results of moving them.
You might get better results using the Move Tool's default World setting rather than the Normal
setting made in a prior step. To return to the default setting, select Modify > Transformation Tools
> Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings window, click Reset Tool, and then close the window.
To extend the front of the nail past the skin with a sharp edge, add a second crease on the edges
below the tip of the nail. (With the appropriate edges selected, select Subdiv Surfaces > Full
Crease Edge/Vertex.)
You might also want to add an additional level of vertices at the edges. (With the appropriate
vertices selected, select Subdiv Surfaces > Refine Selected Components.)
After you crease the edges and add the extra vertices, you can make the nail's edge overhang
the skin below it by dragging the vertices at the nail tip out and away from the finger. Then tuck
the row of vertices below the overhanging vertices in the opposite direction.
An example of a completed nail follows:
5. If you want more practice, repeat the procedure for the rest of the nails.
6. When finished, select Modify > Transformation Tools > Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings
window, click Reset Tool, and then close the window. This returns the Move Tool to its default
settings. This will avoid confusion if you do other lessons in this book.
By default, a subdivision surface displays up to three levels of detail (0, 1, and possibly 2). The 0 level is
the least refined. You can increase the level of detail for a selected region to at most 13 levels. Though
increasing the number of levels allows more precision, it also slows Maya processing. You'll accomplish
most of your modeling needs at levels 0, 1, and 2.
If you display level 2 vertices on the hand, you'll notice that there are no level 2 vertices near the
fingertips. To create the indentation of a finger nail, you need more vertices than levels 0 and 1 provide.
In the next steps, you'll add level 2 vertices at a fingertip so you can create a fingernail.
To create more precision in the fingernail region
1. Switch to level 1.
2. Right-click the surface and select Edge from the marking menu.
3. Shift-click to select the edges that surround the region where you'll shape a nail.
4. To increase the amount of detail at the selected edges, select Subdiv Surfaces > Refine Selected
Components. Additional surface curves appear in the fingernail area, indicating you can edit with
more precision.
5. In the scene view, right-click LeftHand and select Vertex from the marking menu. This displays
additional level 2 vertices in the fingertip region.
6. Select Modify > Transformation Tools > Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings window, turn on
Normal, then close the window. You can thereafter use the Move Tool manipulator to move
vertices in a direction normal (perpendicular) to the surface.
7. Select the vertices in the nail region.
8. Drag the Move Tool's N manipulator down slightly to form the depression of a fingernail bed.
Creating a crease in a subdivision surface
One of the unique features of subdivision surfaces is that it's easy to create a crease or ridge on a
smooth surface. You'll do this in the next steps.
To crease the edge of the fingernail
1. Switch to Edge selection mode and shift-click the edges around the nail to select them. (It might
be easier to see the desired edges by first selecting Shading > Wireframe.)
2. After you select the edges, select Subdiv Surfaces > Full Crease Edge/Vertex.
Once you crease an edge, it displays with a dashed line as a visual reminder that the edge has
been creased. If you change your mind, you can remove the crease using Subdiv Surfaces >
Uncrease Edge/Vertex.
3. To create a ridge at the edge of the nail, switch to Vertex selection mode and select the level 2
vertices on the skin at the perimeter of the previously selected edges. Move them up so that the
skin's juncture with the nail forms a slight ridge.
4. Now experiment on your own by moving individual vertices to shape the nail and surrounding region
as desired. A few suggestions follow:
In Smooth Shade display mode (Shading > Smooth Shade All), certain vertices might be below the
shaded surface and therefore impossible to select and move. To display and select such vertices,
switch to wireframe shading (Shading > Wireframe). After selecting the vertices, return to Smooth
Shade display mode so you will be able to more easily see the results of moving them.
You might get better results using the Move Tool's default World setting rather than the Normal
setting made in a prior step. To return to the default setting, select Modify > Transformation Tools
> Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings window, click Reset Tool, and then close the window.
To extend the front of the nail past the skin with a sharp edge, add a second crease on the edges
below the tip of the nail. (With the appropriate edges selected, select Subdiv Surfaces > Full
Crease Edge/Vertex.)
You might also want to add an additional level of vertices at the edges. (With the appropriate
vertices selected, select Subdiv Surfaces > Refine Selected Components.)
After you crease the edges and add the extra vertices, you can make the nail's edge overhang
the skin below it by dragging the vertices at the nail tip out and away from the finger. Then tuck
the row of vertices below the overhanging vertices in the opposite direction.
An example of a completed nail follows:
5. If you want more practice, repeat the procedure for the rest of the nails.
6. When finished, select Modify > Transformation Tools > Move Tool > . In the Tool Settings
window, click Reset Tool, and then close the window. This returns the Move Tool to its default
settings. This will avoid confusion if you do other lessons in this book.
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