
	Templates

Templates are a way of copying networks between similar meshes. For example, you might develop the "perfect" way to surface one particular whole body mesh, then want to apply that network structure to any whole body mesh.

You can also use the Template tool to mirror a network from one side of a roughly symmetrical polymesh to the other side. You could, for example, build a network over one half of a person's face, then mirror that to complete the face.

Figure 128. Template Controls

To activate the Template tool, click on the Template button in the Networks window (see Figure 128). Most of the other panels and panel buttons in the Networks window will disappear; this gives you the extra screen space you'll need to display the template and target meshes.

Loading Meshes and Networks

When using the Template tool you'll have two meshes opened:

(1)

The source window, or Template mesh, is where the network you want to copy is loaded. Use the Mesh and Net fields in the Templates panel to load the Template mesh and network.

(2)

The destination window, or Target mesh, would usually be network free to start with. Use the usual Mesh input field, found towards the top of the main CySlice window, to load the blank Target mesh.

Figure 129. Loading Meshes and Networks

Once you have the Target and Template windows opened, you might like to position them on the screen so they are side by side, or one above the other, and roughly the same size. Also change the views of the two meshes so they are matched (see Figure 129).

Figure 130. Locked Views

If you then enable Lock, any view changes made in one window are duplicated in the other window (see Figure 130). At any time you can adjust just a single window by clicking on Free first, then make the change, then re-enable Lock.