NURBS Modeling

January 24, 2003

By Brian J. Immel

NURBS Primitives

Sphere

Create > NURBS Primitives > Sphere

• To make a half dome
  1. Create a sphere.
  2. Select the center isoparm.
  3. Edit NURBS > Detach Surfaces.
  4. Select the bottom half and delete it.

Cube

Create > NURBS Primitives > Cube

• Using a NURBS cube to model from is a bad idea because the faces are not really connected. If you look in the Outliner (Window > Outliner), you’ll see that six planes are grouped together and generically named NURBSCube1. From a practical modeling, texturing or animation standpoint, this is virtually useless. If you need to model something out of a cube, you’re much better off using a polygonal cube.

Cylinder

Create > NURBS Primitives >Cylinder

• Can be created with no ends (cap) one end (top or bottom) or both ends.

Cone

• Similar to cylinder only on end it tapered.
• How to make a pyramid with a NURBS cone
  1. Make a cone (Create > NURBS Primitives > Cone).
  2. In the Channel Box, click on the makeNurbCone1 under INPUTS.
  3. Change the following attributes to create a pyamid:
     • Degree = Linear
     • Sections = 4
     • Spans = 4
     • Height Ratio = 0.8

Plane

Create > NURBS Primitives > Plane

• NURBS planes are most commonly used to create your ground surfaces.
• If you want your ground plane to not be so flat, in the Channel Box, go to INPUTs, click on makeNurbPlane1 and up the values of Patchs U, Patchs V. Select the CVs and put them around.

Torus

Create > NURBS Primitives > Torus

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NURBS Curves, uses, creation and tools	NURBS Primitives	Display menu options	Paint Selection Tool
Commonly used functions in the Edit Curves Menu	Surfaces Menu	Edit NURBS menu	Drawing curves on surfaces
Misbehaving curves and surfaces and solutions	Using Deformers to model	Putting it all together: Nurbs Island