Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Modeling 4: Spline
Modeling Basics
Spline modeling
is a way of
interpolating
a
surface between three or four curves that
define its boundaries. This allows you to
define very complex surfaces — replete
with complex, compound curves (curves
that bend in more than one direction at
once) — with “simple” spatial lines
(splines). Spline modeling is big in the auto-
motive and industrial design industries.
Alias|Wavefront's claim to fame is that it
was a forerunner of spline modeling and
heavily used in the automotive industries
(back when it cost more than $60,000 for a
single license of the software).
Subdivision surfacing
,or
sub-patch model-
ing
, has long since surpassed spline model-
ing in the field of character modeling, but
there are still many opportunities to use
spline modeling; it is still a very handy
thing to have as a part of your toolset.
Note
LightWave was one of the first software
packages to implement subdivision surfac-
ing. Back then, it wasn't real time, and in
LightWave, it was called “metaforming.”
The “Rules of the Game”
pe·dan·tic
adj
. Characterized by a narrow,
often ostentatious concern for topic learn-
ing and formal rules. (
American Heritage
Dictionary
)
When you look in the dictionary under
“pedantic,” you see “See spline modeling.”
(Just kidding — sort of.) Spline modeling
adheres rigidly to a set of rules (covered in
detail in Chapter 14). Deviate one iota from
the rules, and you won't get what you were
expecting — plain and simple.
Note
What I'm going to do here is lay out before
you my understanding of spline modeling as
it exists in LightWave. Your job, should you
wish to integrate this powerful but pedantic
modeling tool, is to take the information
from the next three chapters, understand it,
and make it your own. I'm just getting you
started — where you go from there is up to
you!
