3DS Max Nurbs

What are Nurbs? Nurbs are Surfaces and Curves Nurbs – Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines Mathematical algorithm produces the Surfaces and curves Industry standard for creating organic objects with complex curves Use less geometry than polygons to represent the same object

Why Nurbs? Use less geometry than polygons to represent the same object Easy to manipulate More efficient to calculate Seamless surfaces Smooth edges Great for creating organic objects with complex curves Animation advantages

Nurb Objects and Sub-Objects. The starter object in a Nurbs object is either a Surface or Curve Two types of Nurbs surfaces: Point Surface and Control Vertices (CV) Surface Controlled by manipulating points or control Vertex sub-objects. The Points and CVs behave just like the vertices of Spline shapes

The two types of Nurb Surfaces. Sufaces: Point Surface - controlled by Points that always lie on its surface when the surface is edited CV Surface – controlled by Control Vertices (CVs) that form the control lattice that surrounds the surface (just like the FFD modifier lattice). The vertices don’t lie on the surface when edited

The two types of Nurb Curves. Correspond exactly to the two types of Nurb surfaces Point Curve - controlled by Points that always lie on its curve when the curve is edited CV Curve – controlled by Control Vertices (CVs) that form the control lattice that surrounds the curve. The CVs don’t lie on the surface when edited

Ways to create Nurb Models Create Nurb Curves by accessing the shape panel on the create object tab Create Nurb Surfaces by accessing the geometry panel on the create object tab Convert Standard Primitives into Nurb Primitives (right-click object – convert to Nurbs) The Prism Extended Primitive can be converted into a Nurb object Convert Splines into Nurb Curves Convert Patches into Nurb Objects Convert Loft objects into Nurb Objects Create a “Cage” of Nurbs Curves and Uloft a surface over the cage