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How Do You Add Divisions to an Object in Maya?

Published in Maya Modeling 2 mins read

To add divisions to an object in Maya, you'll primarily use the 'Add Divisions' feature found within the 'Polygons' menu. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Steps to Add Divisions:

  1. Ensure you're in the Polygons Menu Set: At the top of the Maya interface, make sure the dropdown menu says "Polygons." If it doesn't, click on the dropdown and select "Polygons." This will display the relevant tools for polygon modeling.

  2. Select Your Object: Choose the polygon object to which you want to add divisions.

  3. Access the 'Add Divisions' Tool: Navigate to Edit Mesh > Add Divisions. You have two options:

    • Immediate Application: Simply click on "Add Divisions." This will add a single level of division to the selected object using default settings.

    • Options Window: Click on the square box next to "Add Divisions" (Edit Mesh > Add Divisions □). This opens the 'Add Divisions Options' window, giving you control over the number of divisions and other parameters.

Using the 'Add Divisions Options' Window:

The 'Add Divisions Options' window allows you to customize the division process. Key parameters include:

  • Number of Divisions: This sets how many times the selected faces will be divided. A higher number creates more subdivisions and a smoother surface.

  • Mode: Determines how the divisions are added:

    • Linear: This is the most common mode and adds divisions uniformly.
    • Exponential: Adds divisions exponentially, creating finer details in some areas.
  • Smoothness: Controls how much the newly created vertices are smoothed, affecting the overall shape of the object.

Example:

Let's say you have a simple cube and want to make it smoother for sculpting.

  1. Select the cube.
  2. Go to Edit Mesh > Add Divisions □
  3. In the 'Add Divisions Options' window, set "Number of Divisions" to 2.
  4. Leave "Mode" as "Linear".
  5. Click "Apply".

The cube will now have significantly more polygons, creating a smoother, more detailed surface. You can further refine the smoothness by adjusting the "Smoothness" setting.

Why Add Divisions?

Adding divisions (or subdividing) is a crucial step in polygon modeling for several reasons:

  • Increased Detail: More polygons allow for finer details and more complex shapes.
  • Smoothing: Subdividing makes objects appear smoother and more realistic.
  • Sculpting: High-resolution meshes, created through subdivision, are essential for sculpting detailed forms using tools like the sculpting tools within Maya, or external programs like ZBrush.