Index

Create mold dialog

Creating a mold file is the first step towards creating a new model. After this file is created and loaded into view, photographs of the real world model are applied to this mold file. Once this is done, the model can finally be created from it.
Creating the mold file
Once IBModeler 2.0 is opened, the mold file can be created by clicking on the "Create New Model" menu option, hitting Ctr + N, or clicking on the first toolbar button. The dialog box to create the initial mold file will then open.

create mold dialog

On this dialog, there is a slider control which can be dragged with the mouse to choose the appropriate density of polygons (discussed below) for the model. Through this control, IBModeler gives you incredible control over the size and quality of the output models.

Polygons
3D objects always consist of a collection of two dimensional polygons connected together in 3D space, generally called as mesh data. The number of sides of the polygons can be three (triangle), four (rectangle) or more. IBModeler always uses the triangles to define the model.

More the number of polygons used to define the model, better would be it's display, but at the same time, more would be the file size of the model. This in turn would mean, more processing time to create the model, and more processing and memory resources required to display it.

If you want a very detailed and accurate output you would go with a high poly count, but if you would like to have something light that can be easily displayed in a rapidly changing 3D environment (like a car race through a city), you would go with a low poly count. Usually the default selection of the slider gives a good trade off between the two choices, but you can move the slider to a level that you find would better suit you. You can always check the results of the created model with different poly counts, using a trial and error method and then decide what works out best for you.

Note that although, IBModeler does give the ability to create very high poly count models, you would end up with exceptionally large processing times and display problems as you start moving from the medium to high range, so it is recommended to not go beyond this range.

Once you have decided the poly count range, click on the OK button. IBModeler will then ask you for the location where the mold (.mld) file should be stored. It will then create and load the mold file for you (see below).

Explanation of terms on the left menu
Images processed
Shows the number of images processed after creating the mold.
3D space range
This remains the same for all mold files. The coordinates for the created models will always be within this range. If a photograph is specified in such a way that any part of the object lies outside these coordinates, then those parts will be cut out.
Total points
The number of points are decided based on the selected poly count level. The selection of specific point ranges can be used to create parts of the model (see model range dialog). 		mold file loaded in IBModeler
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