Spline Cage
12 messages in this thread
We are experimenting wit the joys of spline cages and the miserable little
creatures keep tying knots between the first and last part of the tube. We
a re rendering a torso to a mermaid and the splines offer realistic curves
but render like a torus. Any tricks out there?
SPLINES: Just remember that two points connected by a spline is a
line. Three points connected by a spline becomes a curve. Multiple
splines, such as a circle, can be constructed and smoothed.
EX: Place 4 points in modeler so that if you hit "P", you'd get a
square. Now, select the two top points (By the way, do not hit "P",
as I said above) With the two points selected, hit CTRL and P. A
line is formed. Continue to connect the other sides. You should see
a square. Now, go to tools, and when all the splines are selected
(From the Polygon menu, not the point menu), select "Smooth." Now,
the square has become somewhat round. The same effect you's see if
you had made a closed single spline.
You can also select a long spline (Under polygon), and then goto the
point menu, select a point, and under the Function Polygon menu( The
Top menus), select "Split," and you'll have two Splines split at the
point you clicked!
Hope this helps! Glen "Ciecel B. De"Miller
I might also add that if you select two spagetti noodles- ah I mean
splines, that share end points and hit CRTL- P that it will smooth across
the end points, allowing you to delete one side, patch your area, cut and
paste the faces to another layer, and then mirror over the faces to
complete the object.
GT
Very Good point about working with 1/2 a model in spline form, and then
mirroring the polys! Sometimes those little lines do get bunched up!
..Even beyond the point of the persp. window!
I've been swearing at those little wiggly lines now for over a year, and I
think I've fianally figuered out how they work!
GT
Greg, For the first time, there was a new message sent to me on-line. Just a
question, I can't get the E-Mail to come up? If you are still here, could you
tell me if you too are haveing this problem? I know this is no place for this
kind of message, but, this is really STRANGE!
Glen
Can't say I'm having that problem, but then again I'm using AutoPilot, and
I have yet to figure out even how to download a file. Have to ask JG at
work Monday.
GT
Greg, to DL files using Autopilot. You either "CATALOG" the area(s) you
are interested in first. Then you DL. If you already know the filename you
can use the Single File option in the files area and type in the filename.
AP will do the rest.
Yeah but the problem is that AP dosen't know which library number the file
I want is in. For Example; in the Autodesk Forum there is a .JPG in LIB 9
that I want. AP dosen't look past LIB 1, says it can't find the file, and
goes offline! What's up with that! I tried typing LIB 9 first, but it
dosen't work. Also, it won't bet the catalouge from ADESK forum either
because the forum I want to catalouge is a sub-forum of the main ADESK
forum.. HELP!!!
GT
Hmmmmm, I'm pretty sure when I do a Single File request under the files
area it searches all Libs in that area till it finds the match. You must
know the Exact name of the file tho.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Probably best to ask in the Autopilot area
here in Amigavend.
Thanks. It works like a charm. We are experimenting with organics and the
splines are the only way to mold things like modeling clay.
Joe Clasen Joe's DB&G on A/P
Glad the info helped!
Do remember Greg Teegarden's tip about symmetrical objects.
"If two splines share endpoints, you can hit CTRL-p, and then delete 1 of the
two splines, but the one spline will continue its curve just as if both splines
were in place. Now, after patching, you can mirror the polys from one side to
the other and have a complete object."
(by the way, the above is my retelling of G.T.'s tip)
You are right, that splines are one of the easiest ways to model, but they can
get away from you if you let 'em! :}
KEEP ON MODELING!
Glen "ciecel B. De'"Miller
|/exit