NOTE: THIS TUTORIAL ASSUMES THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE SOME BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF WINGS3D MODELLING! (Like, how to create a cube, move the viewport and such. If you've already created a model (and then made a fancy new topic over it instead of using the Random WIP thread...) then this tutorial series is for you). If you're an absolute, absolute beginner with no clue what does what at all, go and model this table. This tutorial is more a collection of tips and articles for beginners.
Part One:
Initial Set-up
When I start up Wings3d, I get this:
This will be different from first time Wings users, but it is a far more useful set up. I made it by going to Window > New Geometry Window, creating three extra ones and arranging them into a rough four-quarter view setup.
As for why I have this setup, it's just very, very useful. I set it up so that I get side, top and front views as well as the 3d 'Perspective' view. Most other modelling programs have this set up, and being able to see your model's profile at a glance is immensely helpful.
Now, Wings will remember that you have 4 'geometry windows' and where you put them, but it will not remember the views you set up in them. Thus, set up the front, side and top views, to get the below:
(Note: I loaded up a pre-existing model of mine so that you can see which viewport is which. Top Left is 'Perspective View', Top Right is 'Top', Bottom Right is 'Side' and Bottom Left is 'Front' - the ones on the far right side are just there for hiding/showing pieces and messing around with materials; I'll get onto those later)
It's not too hard to set this up - which window your mouse is over dictates the active window, and pressing the keys for the corresponding axis (x,y,z) will snap the view to said axes. Pressing 'o' toggles 'Orthogonal View', which flattens the image so that you're looking at a 2d plane without the perspective messing things up ('o' toggles between this and 'Perspective View'. Create a cube and toggle between the two; you'll see the difference pretty quickly). I just drag my mouse over the appropriate viewports clockwise, going 'y', 'o', 'x', 'o', 'z', 'o' to set the views up. Takes just a few seconds once you're used to it.
A further thing you should always do if you haven't already is turn on 'Advanced Menus'. If you've followed the table-tut, you should have done this already; you only have to do it once, then Wings3d will remember.
To turn on Advanced Menus, go to Edit > Preferences, switch to the 'Advanced' tab and tick 'Advanced Menus' on the left hand side.
Next Time: Triangulation theory and n-gons!
