
	Templates: Morph Targets

A templated network has exactly the same number and arrangement of points as the original, and all patch mapping properties such as name, size and max error are copied across too. However, sometimes during the templating process, the order and orientation of patches may change. If you have problems creating clean morphing targets, then you can use the following procedure to check and test the source networks.

(1) Load the target and template meshes and networks. There's no need to run Restore Template (see below).

Figure 159. Matching Original and Templated Networks

(2) Open up the Texture Maps panel and click on the right patch pick blue arrow. This will select the first patch in each of the two networks, and it will also bring up the Network Match window (see Figure 159). Make sure you have Seeds, Grid, and U Dir enabled to ensure that the selected patches are clearly highlighted.

Figure 160. Matched Patched

(3) Make sure that the two patches selected, one in each of the target and template windows, are matched. That is, they are the same location in the network, and the U directions are the same. If not, find and pick a pair of matched patches. Figure 160 shows two matched patches on the bottom center-left of the two networks.

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Figure 161. Auto Network Match Tool

(4) Click on the red = button in the Network Match window (see Figure 161). What this does is copies the patch order and orientation, and all other mapping properties for that matter, from the template network over to the target network.

Figure 162. Miss-Matched Topology Found

(5) If all goes well the target network rebuilds and you can then resave it with the newly matched texture map properties and patch order. But if a miss-match in the topology is found, an error is displayed and the offending patches are selected (see Figure 162). In the above example, the pair of selected patches have different grid dimensions.
If you get a miss-matched patch, examine the network topology in that area, make any changes required to get the target network to match the template network, and go back to step (3).

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Figure 163. Comparing Original and Templated Networks

(6) And finally, to test that the two networks are truely matched, first make sure that the two views are matched (i.e. viewing the two networks at the same scale and from the same direction). Then enable the Morph Test button and a slider will appear (see Figure 163). At this point Hide the network graphics, turn Grid off and Base and/or Shade on, and pull the slider to either side to check the morph. Use the Loop and Stop buttons to start and stop an morph cycle test animation.
Note: the Morph Test tool currently only works for SUBD surfaces.

Saving As You Go

In previous versions of CySlice, the templating process had to be completed in one go, and there was no way to save your work as you went. You can now save a network mid-way through the templating process, exit CySlice, then restart and restore the templating process to where you left off.

To save, simply click on the usual Save button and write out a SLICE file.

To restore, load the original network into the template window as you normally would, but also load the partially copied network into the target window. After both networks are loaded, click on the Restore Template button in the Templates panel to continue the templating process.