NURBS Modeling

January 24, 2003

By Brian J. Immel

Overview

This workshop will cover all the basic functions and uses for NURBS modeling from using a simple curve to a highly detailed surface.

• NURBS objects can be thought of as pieces of paper folded to make the shape you want. The reason the comparison between NURBS surfaces and paper is that a NURBS surface can be ‘wrapped’ like paper.

Object History, Freezing Transformations and Centering Pivots

• At some point in time when modeling or setting up for animation, it will become necessary to delete the history of various objects for a wide variety of reasons.
  • Edit > Delete by Type > History
  • I use this function so often that I make it a shortcut on my Shelf.
• Freezing Transformations is helpful to both the modeler and animator. Sometimes you will need to 'reset' or modifiy a transformation node.
  • Modify > Freeze Transformation
  • Again, I use this function frequently so I make it a shortcut on my Shelf.
• Centering Pivots, as the name suggests, centers the pivot of an object to its averaged center position.
  • Modify > Center Pivot
  • I also have this function in my Shelf because its so handy.