Topas Try Me's: Desk Lamp

By: David Spake

It's always a challenge to not only create a 3D object, but often to decide what that object should be.  One of the "Random Cover Images" for this issue is a picture of a nice wood desk, with a rather handsome lamp.  This lamp is the subject of this 'Try Me,'  we hope that you enjoy this model.
 
We recommend that in all cases of modeling you work with PERSPECTIVE OFF. Otherwise, you may not end up with what you expected.

1. To follow most easily what we've done, please set the following accordingly:

• VIEW -- NUMERIC OPTIONS -- INCHES

• VIEW -- DISPLAY OPTIONS -- GRID SIZE to .2 inches.

• Turn GRID ON, and snap to points.

2. We will start at the top and work our way down.  The 'hood' portion of the lamp can be assemebled as follows:

BUILD -- SIMPLE -- POLYGON.

• Select the LINE tool and make one 13.5" at 0 degrees.
• TANGENT ARC 2.25" radius at 180 degrees (choose the outside curve to keep).
• LINE again at 13.5" at 180 degrees.
• TANGENT ARC 2.25" radius at 180 degrees, again keeping the outside curve.

                 You see that the hood is comprised of two similar shapes so repeat the above with the following measures to get the larger bottom part.

• LINES at 13.5"
• TANGENT ARCs at 4.5"

                    Optional idea for bottom portion of the hood.

  3. Add some depth and line them up.

BUILD -- COMPLEX -- EXTRUDE

• Small section of the hood 3" at 90 degrees
• Large section of the hood at 3.75" at 90 degrees

MODIFY -- MATCH -- (select small and large parts) CENTER TO CENTER.

MODIFY -- MOVE -- OBJECT (Ctrl - F8)

• Select one of the two parts we've made, hold down the SHIFT key to constrain to 45 and 90 degree motion.  Move until the two parts are just touching.

BUILD -- GROUPS -- NEW GROUP

• Group both parts together for easier manipulation later.

Now is a good time for a breather... bite to eat... back rub... then boldly off to

Page 2 of 'The Desk Lamp Tutorial

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