CGTalk - Spline modeling in C4?

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dieselMX

05-26-2002, 09:26 PM

I've read countless tutorials involving spline modeling, where the contours of the object to be modeled are traced from the different view ports, and then the model is patched in. Obviously, these tutorials were for Maya, Max, Lightwave, etc and I'm just wondering if this can be done in Cinema 4D XL as well. I haven't found an answer to this modeling technique in C4 as yet... From the C4 tutorials I've read up, most of them involve sub d(hyperNURBS) modeling starting out with a basic cube (ie head, car) I found my modeling technique highly restricted to hyperNURBS and basic cube when modeling more complex objects such as cars or characters, or anything organic for that matter.

p.s. I'm stil fairly new to 3D

Mike Xue

fxgogo

05-27-2002, 08:52 AM

I have not done much modeling yet, but when I do I will check it out. For now, I would suggest experimenting and try maxon's site for some tutorials

mnu

05-28-2002, 04:38 PM

Hi all,

no unfortunately Cinema4D does not support spline modeling in any way other than the integrated "pseudo" nurbs generators. You may use splines to create polygon objects by lathing or extruding but spline modeling like it is provided by real Nurbs Modelers like SolidThinking or StudioTools isn't icluded in Cinema. It doesn't even handle real Nurbs Models. Patches are not supportet either. In many cases you can achieve similar results by using Subdiv Modeling. For this you needn't start with a cube. But highly accurate modeling isn't possible in Cinema. I hope this will be improved in XL8.

cheers mnu

dieselMX

05-29-2002, 06:18 PM

Hey mnu,

Thanks for clarifying things up for me. This whole spline modelling dilemna started when I visited raz.ro and browsed through several of the car tutorials http://www.raz.ro/index2.htm Now that I have a better sense Cinema's limitations, I assume hyperNURBS is the end all be all if I were to model something similar to the link above? Guess it's time to brush up on Maya...

Thanks again,
Mike Xue

mnu

05-29-2002, 06:59 PM

Hi again,

I don't know if Maya will suit your needs. Yes, it has Spline Modeling Features and it handles Nurbs Surfaces but it's no fun working with the Maya Nurbs Tools. I really recommend using SolidThinking, Rhino or StudioTools for Spline Modeling. In addition to this I found a nice Car modeling tutorial in wich Cinemas HyperNurbs are used. Maybe it is of some interest to you.

here's the URL: http://www.7thchamber.com

cheers mnu

dieselMX

05-30-2002, 05:20 AM

Hi,

Ah yes, the good old Chevy Bel Air tutorial :) I modeled my first car, Ferrari GTO 288, in Cinema 4D with the sole help of that tutorial. Unfortunately, all the programs you recommended are incompatible since I use a mac :\ So my options are rather limited and from the small pool of 3D programs available to the MacOS, I think Maya would be most feasible and versatile. Anyways, I appreciate all the help. Guess we'll see what happens when XL 8 rolls around.

cheers
Mike Xue

mnu

05-30-2002, 10:40 AM

Hey Mike,

I use a Mac too! Dual 800 at the moment. Thats also the main reason why I use Cinema. Your right, as Cinema does no Nurbs the Nurbs modelers mentioned above are not very compatible with Cinema. But SolidThinking, my favourite of the three, runs fast and stable on MacOS. They released Version 5 some days ago and are offering a reasonable priced starting version of their software. I think you schould visit http://www.gestel.com

cheers mnu

P.S.: IMHO they won't add any Nurbs support in XL8. Like their main competitor Lightwave, they'll work on character animation and thats it, I think. What do you think?

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