A wireframe is used to display the geometric structure of an object. The geometry of an object may be displayed using two different types of wireframes, depending on whether or not that geometry has subdivision applied to it. When the geometry of an object has subdivision applied, certain portions of that geometry are static (in the sense that they always exist) while other portions are dynamic (in the sense that they are generated after certain events have occurred).

For example, an object can start as a simple cube and ultimately be displayed in the shape of a sphere due to subdivision being applied. The original geometric structure of the cube (the 6 sides and the edges shared between them) is displayed as the wireframe for the object. The act of subdividing the geometry generates additional edges and adjusts the positions of the original edges to smooth the surface of the geometry. With each iteration, the cube begins to become more sphere-like. To help visualize the additional structure that resulted from applying the subdivision, the additional edges are displayed differently as the subdivision wireframe for the object.

The texture_shaded DrawStyle displays the differences between the two wireframes.

The Wireframe Opacity property alters the opacity percentage of the wireframe drawn for the static geometric structure of the object. A percentage of 100 indicates the wireframe is completely opaque, while a percentage of 0 indicates the wireframe is virtually translucent.

Set the Wireframe Opacity property to a different value than the Subdivision Wireframe Opacity to see the differences between the original wireframe and additional wireframe lines.

The Subdivision Wireframe Opacity property alters the opacity percentage of the wireframe drawn for the dynamic geometric structure of the object. A percentage of 100 indicates the subdivision wireframe is completely opaque, while a percentage of 0 indicates the subdivision wireframe is virtually translucent. The default is set to a value that allows the subdivision wireframe to be hinted at without becoming a distraction.