Creating Flat and Half Flat Models

Flat and Half_Flat models differ from "normal" in fact they are usually single plane (or very small polygon count ) models used to represent fires, explosions, particle effects, smokes etc. Example of Flat model would be single plane (2 triangles) model of explosion, mapped with animated texture (see TextureTypes) of explosion. Example of Half_Flat model would be single plane model of Fire, mapped with Fire Procedural texture (see TextureTypes). Flat or Half_Flat models allways target viewer in way that polygons' normal is 90 degree to viewer (targeted).


FLAT model

Create object like on Figure 73,surface it in single surface, save as ExplosionRocket.lwo.

Square Plane (2 Polygons) in Lightwave
Figure 73

Open Serious Modeler and click on New model (CTRL N shortcut). Select ExplosionRocket.lwo , you should end with something like on Figure 74.

The Square-Model in Serious Modeler
Figure 74

Add animated texture (or any). When you move around model or model itself you notice that its flat plane (Figure 75).

Square-Model with a Texture
Figure 75

Open script (S shortcut) and change line FLAT NO to FLAT YES, recreate model (CTRL SHIFT S). Try moving object, you may see how polygons (W shortcut toggles wireframe render) are allways targeted (rotates to viewer) to view no matter in what angle are we looking at model. This asures that you will see, for example explosion allways rotated to viewer (Figure 76).

Square-Model with FLAT-Option enabled
Figure 76


HALF FLAT model

Create object like on Figure 77,surface it in single surface, save as Fire.lwo.

Rectangle Plane (2 Polygons) in Lightwave
Figure 77

Open Serious Modeler and click on New model (CTRL N shortcut). Select Fire.lwo, you should end with something like on Figure78.

The Rectangle-Model in Serious Modeler
Figure 78

Add Effect texture and try moving model around (Figure 79).

Rectangle-Model with a Texture
Figure 79

Open script and change line HALF_FLAT NO to HALF_FLAT YES, recreate model and try rotating around model sideways. No matter how you rotate it, model will target you directly. Try rotating or moving above or under model, you will notice that model doesnt target you. As you see difference between Half and Flat models are on what axes does model try to target you. This two types of models gives you power to create very low polygonal model and still have them appear as fake volume models with many polygons and real volume.