CompuServe Messages

First of all, Optimize and Tween affect two different parts of the resultant mesh object. Optimize affects the detail around the perimeter of the mesh, based on the curved or straight segments of the shape at each level. If the shape has a curved segment, all of its steps produce mesh vertices, while straight segments produce no intermediate mesh vertices (when Optimize is ON). Tween, on the other hand, affects the number of mesh cross-sections along the length of the lofted mesh — as represented by the path. If you want detail only in the curves of the pipe, and not in the straight segments, turn Tween off, and insert a vertex in every place in the path where you want a mesh cross section. I highly recommend that you go through the four Lofter tutorials where these concepts are discussed. – Jack