MAXON Computer Cinema 4D Tutorials: V6 Loft NURBS

Tips & Techniques - Modeling

Modeling:
V6 Loft NURBS
Download:
PDF / Works with:
XL Requires:
Version 6+

Description: Lofting (also known as Skinning) is like stretching a length of fabric over two or more lines or splines. The fabric adapts itself to each spline's shape while interpolating or blending in between each. Common models created with a Loft include a boat hull, airplane wing, surfboard, scotch bottle, etc.

To create a Loft Object with NURBS:

Step 1: For this tutorial, we will use several splines to create a simple boat shape. Create a spline by seleting Objects=>Spline Object from the File Menu.

Step 2: Double Click on the new Spline Icon in the Object Manager. A dialog will apear with several different types of splines to choose from. For our purposes in making this shape, we chose Bezier. Leave Close Spline unchecked and Click OK. For a more detailed explanation of the different types of Splines and options in the window, please refer to your CINEMA 4D manual.

Step 3: Change to the front view and use the Points Tool to add points to the spline by control clicking. You can click and drag to add bezier handles to these points which will allow you to shape your spline. Be sure you have the Move button activated.

Step 4: Create 5 splines shaped and arranged roughly like those pictured here. These will form the basis for the loft we are doing.

Step 5: Select the Loft NURBS Tool from your Objects palette or from the file menu (Objects=>NURBS=>Loft NURBS). Subdivisions refers to the detail or smoothness of the model's surface - the higher the number the smoother the surface. When working with an extremely complex model, you can have a higher number of subdivisions so your final output looks nice, while keeping the scene's Level of Detail low to make your working environment much faster. You can change your scene's Level of Detail by choosing Display=>Level of Detail=>[Low, Medium, or HIgh] from the View window file menu. If your model appears faceted or "stepped" just increase the number of subdivisions until you get the results you are looking for. You can always go back and change the subdivision settings.

Step 6: In the Object Manager window, drag the splines you have created and drop them onto the Loft NURBS object. Instantly you are presented with your lofted object. If your model looks incorrect it is probably because the splines are in the wrong order. To fix the order just toggle open the Loft NURBS object so your can see all the spline profiles, then drag and drop them into the correct order. The splines have to be in order from the front to the back of the boat.

Step 7: To close the ends of your boat, duplicate the two splines at the begining and the end of the loft. Then create two more loft NURBS objects. Drop one of the two in each. Then, drag and drop the new, single-spline lofts onto the main loft so that they become children of it.

Step 8: Anytime you want to, you can go back and tweak your model by adding or removing splines, or by editing splines by selecting the Points Tool and modifying the points on your spline.