The Sphere plug-in creates a simple sphere with some attributes.

Sphere Properties

• Use LOD: Enables/disables dynamic level of detail.

• Tessellation: Sets the degree of detail for the sphere.

• Rotation: Allows you to rotate the sphere around its Y-axis.

• Open Angle: Allows you to create an open angle in the sphere.

• Texture: Allows you to select between three different positions of the texture mapping coordinates when a vertex texture is mapped onto the sphere. To visualize the effect of the different settings, add a plain texture onto the sphere, like a chessboard image and set the texture mapping to vertex in the texture editor. Create an opening in the sphere and change the sphere texture parameters. Increase and decrease the opening angle with the different settings enabled and the effect should be visible.

  • Absolute: Compresses and expands the texture mapping coordinates as the opening of the sphere changes.

  • Relative: Cuts/adds texture coordinates as the opening changes. The cut/add is done on the one side of the opening angle. The coordinates are anchored at the other side.

  • Centered: Does the same as the relative mapping, but cuts/adds coordinates from both sides. The texture is anchored in a centered position on the sphere. The center of the sphere is 180° from the point where the opening angle starts.