Subject: Spline to vertex 2004-04-24 - By Douglas Alden Peterson
Back
Luis Mederos asked:
> a recent msg mentioned converting from spline to vertex modeler ---
> which made me wonder what is the real difference??
In a nutshell, the spline modeler allows you to use
bezier curves to create extruded objects. Because
these objects are all based on vector data, the file
size is very small and the objects are easily altered.
(Carrara converts the vector information into polygons
for rendering purposes, but you essentially have no
control over how it does that with the exception that
you can increase the "surface fidelity" which tells
Carrara to use more polygons when it renders.)
But spline objects have some disadvantages -- you
are limited in what you can do by extruding shapes.
You can't, for example, create a cylinder and then
put holes through the wall of the cylinder.
Vertex objects are based on polygons from the beginning.
You can see them and alter them in any way you wish.
The Vertex Modeler is much more versatile, but there is
a price for it -- the file size increases substantially because
Carrara has to store the location of each vertex rather than
just the vector information it stores in the Spline Modeler.
The other problem with the Vertex Modeler is that construction
of objects usually takes longer because you are dealing with
moving around vertices and polygons instead of splines. Yet
this modeler allows you to do such things as smooth and
crease selected edges and use "subdivision surfaces" which
smooths the entire object's surface to different degrees.
Also, in this modeler, you can establish "shader domains"
which means you can apply different shaders to precise
parts of the same object.
> or when should I use one vs. the other?
Once you are more familiar with the program, you will be
able to figure out what modeler to use for the object you
want to create. It's really not a matter of when "should"
you use one or the other, it's a matter of what you want
to accomplish.
I think new users should learn one modeler first and then
learn the other one. If you have any previous experience
with vector drawing programs like Illustrator, CorelDraw
or FreeHand, you will probably get faster results learning
the Spline Modeler. If you don't have that experience, and
were a Lego champ in grade school, you might start with
the Vertex Modeler and draw shapes on the "floor" and
then add thickness to them. Once you understand that
concept, play with other tools learning each one before
going on to the next one.
To be honest, the first few months of learning Carrara is
not a walk in the park. There are many concepts you need
to learn and you will feel uncomfortable with the program.
But as you build skills, it will start to make sense and you'll
be able to get the results you want.
Keep at it and good luck,
Doug
--
Douglas Alden Peterson
Graphic Designer
Visualeyes, Brighton, MI USA
-- ---- ---- ---- ------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -- ---- ---- ---- ---~-->
Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark
Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada.
http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511
http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/_iFolB/TM
-- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------~->
Special $30 OFF transposer until April 16, 2004.
http://www.eovia.com/offers/yahoo.jsp
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Carrara/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Carrara-unsubscribe@(protected)
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|
|
