CompuServe Messages

SKIN uses a lofted object as a "template" over which a Bezier patch is hung. (You can use other types of meshes besides lofts.) Once you've got your template, you can adjust any number of parameters that affect the patch — such as whether it's open or closed around the perimeter or length, the complexity of the patch mesh, its tension, the type of spline used, etc., etc. And, you can change these settings at any time before rendering — without having to recreate the geometry. In addition, using another IPAS utility that comes with SKIN, you can slice your template object into layers, which can then be animated — either hierarchically or individually — while the rendered Bezier path stretches over the animated segments. The vertices of your original template object can be moved, but they can't be deleted or added to. With all of the other fantastic possibilities using SKIN, the lack of Booleans is not a big deal. (Besides, if you count on Booleans for most of your modeling, you're doing something wrong. <g>)