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View Full Version : Basic Maya help need please: Curvatures

Natty2k2
08-31-2002, 06:52 AM
Basic Maya help needed.

I'm a beginner, just getting started. I went through the tutorials except for the very end stuff with MEL and skeletons (went like halfway through it).

I'm working on building a Star wars Xwing, and have the major body/jets/wings/blasters down nice. However I've now run into the actually semi difficult stuff, curves...Half circles, crescents, just things with strange curvy shap. The tutorial doesn't even seem to mention these. Messing around, it seems I can't do this curvature stuff with polygons, as when I try any menu thing that mentions curves, I get the "must select Nurb <insert part here> to do this curve option" type message. Is there an area of Maya4 PLE that is focused on curves, half circles, all those weird shapes, and a good way to get used to making them besides tediously moving and scaling vertices randomly? Trial and error doesn't seem very effeciant, although a good way to see different parts of the program.

I just ordered some books on Maya, but I'd like to keep going on this project while I wait.

BTW, this forum is awsome. Howdy all!
iC4
08-31-2002, 12:30 PM
just to be sure, you want to make your model with polys? and you get no round shape?

try using subdivisions or normal polygon smooth (polygons/smooth) to get round shapes
Natty2k2
08-31-2002, 08:17 PM
That's what I've been doing is subdividing vertices and manipulating into curvatures, but after i do that, and a rough curve shape is there, can I smooth it out? What's the benefit to using nurbs?
playmesumch00ns
09-02-2002, 01:28 PM
Precise things are usually best done using NURBS. HA! just realised, when NURBS was the new buzz-word everyone was saying, "If you want organic shapes, use NURBS, if you want mechanical design, use polygons". Now it's completely the other way around thanks to polysmooth/subDivs. hehe:applause:
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