CompuServe Messages

Spline modeling is, simply, modeling using splines (instead of polygons and vertices, like 3D Studio). Sorry if that sounds too obvious <g>. Splines are lines that pass through control points, and the shape of the spline can be changed by moving, scaling, or rotating the control points. The biggest advantage of splines over polygons is the smoothness/object complexity ratio. Splines are resolution independant, so one does not have to create a gagillion faces to have a smooth rounded object, one just has to manipulate the splines by using the control points. There are different spline modeling setups, like B-spline patch, and NURBS. I don't know the math behind them, but I have used both types and prefer them over polygonal modeling for organic, naturaly curvy shapes. It is possible to manipulate and edit complex model areas very quickly and easily (for me, compared to 3DS) with these types of modelers. John Tissavary