Alias essentials

Familiarize yourself with the Alias interface and model controls, then begin creating and transforming objects and working with curves. Also, apply visualization techniques to your model, such as materials, colors, and textures, to bring your model to life.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Navigate the Alias workspace; tumble, zoom, and pan the model; select items using shortcuts; and move, scale, and rotate objects using pivot points, snapping, or dimensions for accuracy.
• Create and shape surface and subdivision objects, as well as curves to build surface and subdivision forms.
• Organize geometry onto layers and folders, including creating automatic symmetry for designs.
• Create and apply colors and textures to models for a polished and realistic appearance.

• The Alias workspace
• Viewing a model in Alias
• Selection shortcuts in Alias
• Create objects in Alias
• Transform objects in Alias
• Build from curves in Alias
• Layers and Object Lister in Alias
• Visualization in Alias

Subdivision modeling in Alias starts with the Subdivision Workspace. There, models can be initiated from primitive shapes, with control points added that allow you to modify and refine the design. Curves are instrumental in extruding, sweeping, or revolving subdivisions to form the initial design, while the Retopo toolset is used to build subdivision topology on meshes, NURBS surfaces, or flat View Planes. 

For the finer details of your model, you can use tools such as Extrude, Insert, and Bridge on faces and edges. Additionally, tools like Bevel, Crease, Cut, Weld, and Extract enhance topology flow, while symmetry, Pick tools, and display management options streamline the modeling process, ensuring efficient and precise design adjustments.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify the essentials of subdivision modeling in Alias, starting with fundamental terminology and workspace customization.
• Create and refine models using primitive shapes, control points, and various subdivision tools like Extrude, Insert, Bridge, Bevel, and Crease.
• Work with the Retopo toolset, symmetry, and the NURBS modeling tools.
• Optimize your workflow through display management, hotkeys, and the Trim a Untrim tools.

• Get started with subdivision modeling in Alias
• The Subdivision workspace in Alias
• Build from subdivision primitives in Alias
• Build subdivisions from curves
• Build subdivisions with Retopo
• Use Retopo on NURBS surfaces and in a view plane
• Extrude faces in Alias
• Insert edges in Alias
• Bridge faces in Alias
• Bevel and crease features
• Cut, weld, and extract to modify topology
• Symmetry on subdivision models
• Transform subdivision models
• Select elements in subdivision models
• Control the display of design elements
• Align to curve or surface in Alias
• Planarize, align, and smooth CV layouts
• Trim and untrim limit surfaces
• Divide or split surfaces using Trim or Untrim
• Hybrid modeling in Alias

In surface modeling in Alias, it is important to learn how to apply common parameters across various surface types for consistency. Using tools like Skin and Freeform, you can create straight-line or blended surfaces between curves, which enhances control over continuity. The Shift key allows you to skin multiple curves for complex models, while understanding trimmed edge options with Freeform Blend is essential. 

In addition, tools like Multi-surface Draft make it easier for you to extrude flange surfaces from curves or edges, and the Revolve Manipulator helps refine revolved objects. Additionally, learning how to create surface fillets for fixed width blends or rounded edges ensures seamless, manufacturable designs that meet clearance requirements.

• Surface tools in Alias
• Create skin surfaces
• Create freeform blends in Alias
• Add crown shape to models
• Skin multiple curves
• Input selection with Freeform Blend
• Draft and extrude surfaces
• Create a revolve in Alias
• Work at an angle in Alias
• Circular settings in Alias
• Create fillets in Alias
• Create round surfaces
• Create fixed width blends
• Sweep a profile along a path
• Create tube and fillet flanges
• Wall and flange settings in Alias

Alias offers a variety of animation tools that help you to create movement simulations, which can aid in proof-of-concept model development. By learning how to combine keyframe animation and hierarchical grouping techniques, users can independently control the motion of different model elements while streamlining the workflow.

Additionally, you can learn how to control both your cameras and your model objects to create a variety of motion characteristics, such as turntable animations and fly-through replays.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify and utilize the animation tools available in Alias to create movement simulations.
• Implement keyframe animation techniques and tangent types to control the character of motion in animations.
• Develop and animate hierarchical groups and camera paths to streamline complex animation workflows.

• About Animation in Alias
• Keyframe animation tools in Alias
• Prepare models for animation in Alias
• Work with animation parameters in Alias
• Create turntable animations in Alias
• Animate cameras in Alias
• Create motion path animation in Alias
• Work with tangent types in Alias

Creating stunning visualizations of your completed Alias model starts with learning how to assign shaders, textures, and other effects, even decals. You can use preset shaders from the Shader Library, or, using procedural textures, you can create custom shaders, then add them to your own custom shader library to be used again later. It’s also handy for you to learn how to use switch shaders with the Variant Lister to quickly create a number of model variations. And for the final touches, you can utilize Ambient Occlusion to generate shadows for added definition, add image-based lighting effects, and create custom geometric environments for your model’s background.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply shaders, textures, decals, and other visualization effects to your concept model.
• Create custom shaders and switch shaders, then use them to generate variants of your concept model.
• Add a background that matches your concept model, and apply shadows and lighting effects that show it best.

• Assign shaders and add decals in Alias
• Create custom shaders in Alias
• Switch shaders and variants in Alias
• Ambient occlusion in Alias
• Work with environments in Alias