CompuServe Messages

James, First of all, I have used programs with patch "shrinkwrap" functions as well, and also would like to see that function in 3DS. Secondly, I believe you are misunderstanding SKIN.axp. If you have ever used a spline modeler, you are no doubt familiar with creating lattices (hulls) to define/control the curves. With SKIN.axp, you use 3DS's native polygon tools to construct/edit a lattice for spline patches that you will never see in wireframe. The spline-fit functions happen in the renderer and ultimately create a bunch of triangles to render. There are rescrictions wrt building the lattices, though. In general, the vertices must be ordered in a certain way, and lofting with optimization & weld OFF will produce this ordering correctly. You can use some other primitives as per the doc's with vertex modifications. Slice.axp is NOT intended to make ANY OBJECT "skinnable". Your experiments with Skin.axp are probably "rough" due to using too high a step level on your shapes and/or path in the lofter. While working in 3DS's NATIVE modeling system, you likely want/need the step level to be higher to produce perimeter smoothness in the object. But with Skin.axp, the idea is to use a minimum of control points for the lattice. With splines (especially B-Splines), you achieve maximum smoothness via minimum control vertices. A simple 8-vertice cube with 0 step setting will produce a capped cylinder – very smooth. After you have lofted your lattice(s), you can manipulate them at any level – no problem – just don't delete any vertices in the process. Check out my Cowboy head Skin model on the disk – it is reasonably detailed & smooth, yet only uses 680 vertices for the skull. For your example object, deform the original properly constructed lattice manually or with any routine that does not add/delete vertices, to create your morph target(s). Keep in mind, using MINIMUM control vertices, your "blob" will look rough in wireframe, but should render very smoothly. With the parameters in the Skin dialog, you can control tension and bias for the smoothness direction as well as resolution. It works well. Hope this helps some. BILL