The modeling of a 3D object

 

Making 3D scenery objects it is not always an easy task and it requires some geometric skills on the part of the designer. Nova will give you an easy interface to make the most commonly used types of objects and structures in scenery design. New and specific functions will be added to the program as external "Satellites" or plug ins in the future.

The first NovaSat module will be a complete docking system and odometer delivered soon after the release of Nova, new modules will be added in the future. 

Nova uses some primitive forms to shape a wide range of 3D objects from a simple cubic house to a complex object such as an entire terminal with piers and gates. Primitives are defined shapes like cubes, pyramids, cylinders, spheres, etc. Each of these primitives can be called Tools and this is the way the Help and Program is set up. The following examples shows some key factors regarding 3D making.

The Cube is probably the most used tool in the making of a 3D object. A texture or bitmap can be applied to each side of the cube to form a given object. In this example the house uses 3 textures for the front, sides, and roof.

 

 

What if our house has two floors?

The solution is simple, we will use two cubes and place one cube above the other. This is a key factor in Nova modelling design. 3D objects are quite often made by placing objects one over the other.

An example of placing a tool over another - the house is made using a cube as the base and a pyramid for the roof.
And why not add some effects such as transparencies? For this purpose you will also have to apply a texture to the interior faces of the cube and the pyramid placed on top. This is the reason why most tools have the option to "draw" inside and outside the tool itself.
A church is an excellent example of using different tools at different levels and distances. The main building is made using a Cube and Pyramid. The tower was made using another Cube, a Pyramid, and the Bridge tool to make the cross. This tool not only makes nice bridges but other goodies as well!
Lights. A special tool to make lights of any color and any shape. Another combination of tools - a Cylinder, Cubes, and the Lamp tool is used to make the lights.

         

         System coordinates and measures