Polygon Proxy Mode
 

In the docs, I've read about working in Proxy mode. I'm not 100% sure how this is used in Maya, but I want to experiment. The thing is I can't find where I switch between Standard/Proxy mode. Where is it?

This is subdivision surfaces. From the Modeling toolset look under "Subdiv Surface". You can also switch between the 2 by just right-clicking on the Subdiv surface and select Polygon or Standard.

thats the only way i work with subdivs (well, 90 % of the time) ... try maya's doc's hand tutorial.. it shows you how to make a hand using the polygon proxy mode..

Theres another way than using sub-d's. The polygon proxy mode is archived by selecting your poly object and goto polygons > smooth proxy. In the layer menu you can choose different ways of viewing. By standard you will see the smoothed version under your lowpoly model.

This is much different from sub-d's, because you do not create an sub-object. You just see all the time how your modelling is affecting your smoothed object. Pretty cool.

Oh... using the smooth proxy mode, it can also be helpful to have only one side of your object showing the smooth under the original lowpoly. At least it gives you a better overview.

Do this by selecting your half head (before you make an instance) and choose polygons > smooth proxy. Then chose your proxy object and dublicate it as an instance (scale -1).

Then you can work with your lowpoly on the instance and immediately see the smoothed affection on the other side of the head. Might seem confusing, but it works.

the smooth proxy mode is only in maya 4.5 btw :)

Nem its in 4.0 also.....

yup it sure is, under the subdiv surfaces menu - Its my preferred way of working :rolleyes:

i think theres a difference between the two
poly proxy (under subd menu) works with subd surfaces as the actual model
smooth proxy (under poly menu) works with polys

if you wanted to have complete control over ur model, then smooth proxy is the way to go because you can edit the smooth mesh

exactly nem... :D

right u are Nem - my bad lol