Chapter 3. Primitives

If you're familiar with 3D modeling software such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, or CINEMA 4D, you will undoubtedly know that programs like these usually have a set of built-in primitives. Primitives are basic geometric shapes such as the plane, sphere, and cube. In most 3D modeling programs you can easily add primitives to your scene by clicking and dragging, and if you like, you can modify them. In that respect primitives serve as the building blocks for advanced models. You could also create them yourself, but primitives included in 3D software programs definitely make life easier for the 3D modeler.

Papervision3D also has a set of primitive shapes. Although you cannot click and drag them to the stage, as Papervision3D is not a software program with a graphic user interface, they come in quite handy when you need basic shapes in your application.

Modifying primitives in Papervision3D is harder than in 3D modelling software, again because there is no user interface. However...