How To Make A Cube

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Warning: These are probably the most pointless animations you will ever see.

So after loading up Softimage you'll find yourself presented with the Softimage Splash screen. This is not the interface; this is to let you know that 3d is afoot and to refrain from spraying cans of Sprite around the computer, if you haven't already done so. Whatever you do don't attempt to give anything to the client yet. Although we're up and running we've still got a ways to go. After a few seconds, or a mouse click or keyboard entry from you (see: "I Am The Mouse" and "Hello, I Am Your Keyboard") the interface will appear. It may look daunting but never fear, if the computer senses fear it will strike, like a cornered rat or something else that senses fear and does something quite bad. Remember the film 2001? I don't, but it went something like this:

"Hal, let me in Hal"

"NO"

"Please Hal I forgot my lunch"

"NO. GO AWAY HUMAN"

...Or something anyway. I think you get my point.

So, no fear and no surrender; Let's Model!! First, place your hand on the mouse (See: Troubleshooting...Mouse? Where?) and move it- keeping an eye on the moving arrow on the monitor (See: Introduction...What, No Football?). It's tricky but you should get an impression of the relationship between you moving the mouse (See Troubleshooting...Nope. Still Not Getting It, Sorry) and the travels of the little arrow. Careful though, you could end up disorientated and lost. A bit like that film Terminator 2:

"WHERE AM I?"

"Err...you're in a hillbilly bar and you're butt naked at the beginning of the film!"

"I'M LOST"

"Do you need to beat me up and take my clothes?"

"NO. GO AWAY HUMAN"

Yeah? So careful out there. So you're driving the little arrow right? Your destination is GET up in the top left corner of the interface. It's a bit like a button. Move the mouse (See:...3rd Time's a Charm). Now when you press the mouse button (See: You Must Think I'm Really Thick) you should see a plethora of new options...yes, it is exciting isn't it. Don't get carried away, otherwise you'll end up like Bruce Dern in Silent Running:

"Now, Hewey and Dewey. I want you to go out and mend the ship. Louie can come with me to the cabin for...er..additional maintenance. Let's go, team!"

"NO. GO AWAY HUMAN"

"NO. GO AWAY HUMAN"

"NO. GO AWAY HUMAN"

...you get the idea. Anyway I hope you've enjoyed part one of How to Make a Cube. Next month: Part 2 . Don't go trying to figure it out yourself now.

Complaints, flames to the usual address. Thenkyew.

Last Month's Tutorial: The Future of 3D