Reshaping NURBS curves
|
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
|
Reshape
|
Basic |
- (hyphen) |
The Reshape tool allows you to move, add, and delete vertices to reshape NURBS curves. Transform mode permits free-form movement for more fluid reshaping.
Transform mode is also available with the Selection tool, but it repositions the entire object, rather than reshaping it.
|
Mode |
Description |
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Move Vertex
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Changes the location of one or more selected vertices |
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Transform
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Uses a 3D dragger to transform vertices in a variety of ways depending on the additional modes selected; see Transforming objects with the 3D dragger |
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Add Vertex
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Adds a vertex to the NURBS curve |
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Delete Vertex
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Deletes a vertex from the NURBS curve |
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Change Vertex
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Toggles an existing vertex between a corner vertex and smooth vertex |
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Working Plane Constrain (Move Vertex and Add Vertex modes only)
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Moves the selected vertices on a working plane |
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X-axis Constrain (Move Vertex and Add Vertex modes only)
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Moves the selected vertices along the X axis |
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Y-axis Constrain (Move Vertex and Add Vertex modes only)
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Moves the selected vertices along the Y axis |
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Z-axis Constrain (Move Vertex and Add Vertex modes only)
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Moves the selected vertices along the Z axis |
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Translate and Rotate (Transform mode only)
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Uses the Translate and Rotate 3D dragger to manipulate vertices to reshape and rotate the selected object; see Translating and rotating objects with the 3D dragger |
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Scale (Transform mode only)
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Uses the Scale 3D dragger to change the scale of part of the selected object; see Scaling objects with the 3D dragger |
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Re-position Transform mode only)
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Repositions the 3D dragger without affecting the selected object; see Repositioning the 3D dragger. Because free-form movements are performed relative to the 3D dragger's center, some operations can only be completed if the 3D dragger is repositioned away from a selected vertex. |
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Align to Object (Transform mode only)
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Keeps the Z axis of the 3D dragger aligned to the NURBS curve's normal at the selected vertex |
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Align to Working Plane (Transform mode only)
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Keeps the 3D dragger aligned to the working plane; see Concept: Working planes |
Reshaping NURBS curves with Move Vertex mode
|
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
|
Move Vertex
|
Reshape
|
Basic |
- (hyphen) |
To move a vertex:
Select the NURBS curve to reshape.
Click the tool and mode, and then click a constraint mode.
Move the cursor over the NURBS curve; when the cursor is over a vertex, the cursor changes to an unfilled, four-way arrow.
Click a vertex to select it. To select multiple vertices at one time, click with the Shift key pressed or click and drag to create a marquee around the desired vertices.
To move multiple vertices, the curve must be a single, smooth continuous NURBS curve; composed NURBS curves do not allow multiple selection.
As you move the cursor, the change previews.
Click to place the vertex and reshape the NURBS curve.
Reshaping NURBS curves with Add Vertex mode
|
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
|
Add Vertex
|
Reshape
|
Basic |
- (hyphen) |
To add a vertex:
Select the NURBS curve to reshape.
Click the tool and mode, and then click a constraint mode.
Move the cursor to an existing vertex near the location where the new vertex is to be added. The cursor becomes an arrow with two diamonds when a vertex can be added, and the adjacent segment of the curve is highlighted.
Click the existing vertex and then drag the cursor to the desired location for the new vertex.
Click to add the vertex.
Reshaping NURBS curves with Delete Vertex mode
|
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
|
Delete Vertex
|
Reshape
|
Basic |
- (hyphen) |
To delete a vertex:
Select the NURBS curve to reshape.
Click the tool and mode.
Click the vertex to delete.
Reshaping NURBS curves with Change Vertex mode
|
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
|
Change Vertex
|
Reshape
|
Basic |
- (hyphen) |
To toggle a vertex between a corner vertex and a smooth vertex:
Select the NURBS curve to reshape.
Click the tool and mode.
Click the vertex to toggle.
Functionality similar to the Reshape tool is available from the Object Info palette Shape tab; see Editing vertex-based objects.
