Week 2 - Booleans and NURBs

 Week 2 - Using Booleans and NURBs

What have I learned?

In week 2, I have learned how to make more complicated Poly Models by manipulating them using the following tools.


  • Booleans - The Boolean tool uses two Poly Models to mesh holes and shapes of the selected polygon into another Poly model by either adding. The Boolean Operation tool can change the mesh, Using Difference to create a full Polygon cut into a Poly Model (Subtraction) or using Intersection to get only the Intersecting Polygon as well as creating a union of the poly models (Adding). It's important to make sure after using the Boolean Tool that edges of the face have 3/4 vertices by using the Multi-Cut tool. 
  • Revolve - The Revolve Tool will take a selected curve line created, and extrudes the edge along with a rotation. This creates a lamp head like Poly Model shape. A Curve (NURBs) is created by placing control vertices (CVs), edit points or by freehand. It's important to make sure any NURBs are converted into a Polygon.
  • Curve to Tube/Ribbon - Using the Bonus Tools plug-in, Selecting a created NURB Curve and going into -Modelling -Convert to (Ribbon/Tube). When the Model is made, going into Channel box will help manipulate the shape such as the length/width Divisions (Smoothening the Curves and increasing the poly-count) and the width and twists of the shape. When finished with a NURB, you convert the model into a Polygon by selecting the NURB -Modify -Convert - Convert to Polygon.

Our first task using Booleans was to create a Screw Nut. The Nut hole was created using a Sphere Polygon with reduced Subdivisions to help with vertices issues and the number of multi-cuts I will have to make after the Mesh. 




Using the new Tools I've learned. Our next task was to create a lamp based off an image on Google. I chose this lamp as I could practise using NURBs and converting to tubes for the wires as well as Revolve for the lamp head. 






Our task for home was to create a Model based off something in our accommodation flat. My first attempt was making my Polaroid Camera as I was it as a challenge based on its shape and the amount of Extrudes and Booleans needed. What went well in this Model was the initial shape of the Camera. What stood out best was the Camera Lens as I was able to make successful Extrudes of the Cylinder Poly Model and Using Booleans to create the middle lenses as well as the button along the side. Booleans were also used again for parts such as the eyepiece and the latch mechanic on the back. 

Rooms for improvements can be made with practice using NURBs shapes to create more complicated body shapes rather than meshing multiple Polygons together to achieve the demanded shape. Also, I need to reduce the amounts of Bevels I used to create curved edges, especially Bevelling multiple times over other Bevels as I am creating Multiple errors in the model's polys and vertices.


As I didn't use and NURBs in my Polaroid Model, I decided to make a second Model based on my Microphone. This Model used a lot more Booleans compared to the Polaroid for parts such as the Microphone holder and the Microphone head. For the wire of the Microphone, I used a NURB curve (Changing the perspective to a Side View to make sure the Wire was straighter) and converting it into a Tube using the Bonus Tools and increasing the Length/Width divisions.
I am overall a lot happier with the Microphone over the Polaroid as I can see improvements in my skills using Maya, as well as the speed at which I'm working at and now feeling more confident with the programme. One improvement I need to make is with the Rotation tool and Scaling, as a lot of my cylinder/sphere polys do not have perfectly round radiuses due to my overworking with the scaling tool, producing incorrect shapes such as the stubs on the microphones legs. Rotation is an issue as the legs are all rotated at different angles meaning they are not perfectly symmetrical and only one of the legs would be touching the floor. I need to practise keeping all angles the same to avoid this issue in the future.  Also, I need to begin practising using edge-loops as well as beginning to consider Engons when using the Booleans Tool. 



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