CGTalk - birail question

iso

05-04-2003, 02:05 AM

I am trying to create a surface with the birail 2 tool. I think this is the closest to the right tool for the job, but I figure there must be something better. The thing is, is that that birail tools only seem to want to create surfaces for one side of the closed nurbs curves. Now for even something as simple as a cartoon foot there is asymmetry therefore if you mirror the one surface that is able to be created you then have to tweak it.

Anyway I figure there must be a better way to do this, seeing as in Rhino this is an easy task. Attached is a pic showing the Nurbs curves that are to be used (Just the bottom of the foot).

Thanks for the help

wgreenlee1

05-04-2003, 03:28 AM

For that...I would just "Loft" three circles.....but make sure they have the same number of control points.

wgreenlee1

05-04-2003, 03:39 AM

It took more than 3 circles but you get the idea...plus you can use the control vertices after making it to refine your shape with the NURBS displayed...

iso

05-04-2003, 05:08 AM

thanks for the help.

i was hoping really hoping that there was something that i was doing wrong, not that it is that much more work.

BTW it is really appreciated when you guys help out to this degree (posting picks). i will have to remember that when i know my way around maya :)

Gremlin

05-04-2003, 09:57 AM

there is something your doing wrong... I believe you need the profile curves to be at the END of the rail curves, if you need more detail, use Birail 3+ and add more profile curves.... I think if you do that, it'll work.

iso

05-05-2003, 05:15 PM

I would really hope that I am doing something wrong, because it doesn't make sense that a program like maya wouldn't allow for a full curve extrusion.

Here is another example, using simple circles and lines that have been snapped to the curves.

If anyone knows that this can be done, please let me in on the "secret"

Cheers

plotz

05-05-2003, 06:33 PM

AFAIK you're not doing anything wrong. Bi-rails in Maya have always created open surfaces for me too...even when the profile was closed.

The docs are pretty lame for this tool as well, they don't indicate that you can or can't create a closed bi-rail surface. By the fact they show only simple open surfaces one gets the idea that it's all Maya can do.

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