Using Representations

All polygons in a 3DMatrix model are arranged into Polygon Groups and each polygon group is shown in the final model through a Representation. The Direct Representation is simply the polygons in their raw position while all other representations are called Transformed Representations and they are a mirrored copy of the polygon group with the mirroring rules contained in the Representation's Transformation Matrix.

It is only possible to manipulate individual polygons and vertexes through a Direct Representation, so normally the Direct Representation is modelled about the origin while the Transposed Representation describes where the Polygon Group should be positioned in the overall model.

The following example shows a model that demonstrates the intended use for Polygon Groups and Representations.

In this example we have a plane that is made up of two polygon groups, the Body and the Wings. Note that the Body has a hidden Direct Representation and two mirrored copies for the left and right wings. In this case, the Direct Representation (raw position of the polygons) might be modelled about the origin and not intended to be seen in the final image, so the Direct Representation is invisible while the two mirrored copies for the left and right wings are visible.

By contrast the Body of the plane does not need any mirror copies and so the designer has decided to simply keep the Direct Representation visible and model the polygons with their raw position in the correct place for the final model.

Transformed Representation
Direct Representation
Representation Editor
Object Browser