The complete interface of Realsoft 3D employs 2 strategies to make life easier for the user. Firstly: It only shows the user the tool that can be used. This gives the interface a tidy look and in fact it doesn’t make any sense to show the NURBS editing tools while the user is tinkering around with a polygonal object. Secondly the “mouse travel distance” is minimised. This means that tools that are constantly in use are also easily accessible without having to click around in complicated menus. For example the modifier handle unites all 3 main modifiers, move/rotate/scale, without bothering the user with having to switch between the tools. Eliminating the need to click buttons or navigate menus to reach the desired tool.

This philosophy is implemented extremely well in the SDS/Polygonal-tools. Here all essential tools like extrude, bevel, scale about normal, move along normal, subdivide, vertex weight, rotate about normal and many more are integrated in the editing-handles and are accessible without buttons/menus and practically constantly under your mouse pointer. If you can get used to this workflow you will reach high production speeds in a relatively short time. Adding to that Realsoft 3D has implemented compass menus which allow any function to be selected directly in the view-window with the right mouse button. This makes it possible t work on your modes without ever leaving your view-window.

To get a feel for modelling in Realsoft 3D you should start by experimenting with the SDS-tools. Sadly our space is not sufficient by far to give you a complete description. It is advisable to experiment with a 4x4 SDS rectangle as shown I the pictures. The functions of each tool can be easily followed with this method. For example to extrude you select a face and pull at the Normal-handle (handle 2) while pressing the CRTL-key. The handles offer different function by pressing the CRLT-, ALT or the SHIFT-key.