Shape Magic Tutorials

Building a House - Step 4 - Windows and Chimney

Next we'll add windows and a chimney. These are made using three Shape Magic objects: teardrop windows, diamond window and a chimney. Each of these are imported into your 3D program (like Bryce, Vue or Poser) then duplicated, rotated and sized as needed.

You can download a copy of the Shape Magic .smg files here if you want to use them to follow the tutorial. Or feel free to make your own.

Step 4A - Teardrop Window

To start, go to the Open File page, enter the name of the door .smg file (A), and click on the Open button (B). Then go to the Side View page to update the design. We'll use the same molding design for all the doors and windows.

Go to the Top View page and click on the LR Sym button (A). Click on the 3-dot cluster (B) until all 3 dots are colored. Set the hollow, round and square dots as shown.

Go to Create File page. Be sure all the Special Effects settings are zero (if not, click on the Reset All button). Click on the Create button, then go to the Save File page. Enter the file name, and if not checked already, click on the three checkboxes: Group names, UV mapped and Front & Back polygons. (For Bryce, leave the Front & Back Polygons unchecked.) Although you will use this window 8 times, you only need to make one copy in Shape Magic.

Step 4B - Diamond Window

The diamond window is easy - it's the same one we made in Step 1C for the door!

Step 4C - Chimney

Our last piece for this step is the chimney. Here is the Side View I used. Note how the Top Face goes down into the top so it appears that the chimney is open throughout and can have a different color. You could also make the Top Face have 0 bezier segments so the chimney is hollow throughout.

Go to the Side View and click on the Smooth Petals button (A). Set the dots about how they are below. You could also do a 4-sided Polygon if you want a square-edged chimney.

Step 4D

The parts are now made and ready to be imported into your 3D program. The parts have to be rotated, resized and positioned as needed. Add 3 teardrop windows to each side of the house. Add the diamond window at the top of one end. Add the chimney at the other end. If your 3D program allows, select the Top Face of each window and apply a glass texture.