Penguin - Point Editing and Blending

In the Rebuild Surface dialog box, set the Point count in the U and V directions to 8 and the Degree in the U and V directions to 3.

Check Delete input.

Click OK.

The next step will change this structure so the influence of moving the control points does not extend over the whole sphere.

Insert the knots in the u-direction only as illustrated.

Examine the control point structure after inserting the knot.

Reposition control points to create the indentation for the neck and to reform the body shape.

Use the SetPt command to match them to the bottom pole point in the world z-direction only.

This will align all of the selected control points to the same z-value (up in Front viewport), flattening the surface.

Use WireFrame display mode if you find it easier to select control points in wireframe views.

To pick the base point for the Scale2D command use the Point object snap with Project turned on. This will scale the points parallel to the construction plane. Watch the Front viewport to see the changes in the body shape as you move the control points closer to and farther from the center.

Experiment with the Project setting in the Osnap control to see how it works.

You will be able to see the tracking line projected to the construction plane in the viewports.

Match the example model or use your own shape.

Place the center point anywhere.

Drag the cursor to the right and pick.

Using these constraints has created a circular ellipsoid when seen from the top.

Drag the cursor up or down in the Top viewport and pick.

The exact location is not important.

Place the center point anywhere.

Drag the cursor to the right and pick.

Using these constraints creates a circular ellipsoid when seen from the top.

Drag the cursor up or down in the Top viewport and pick.

In the Front viewport, select the lower row of points and drag them up.

Try using the Nudge keys (Alt + Arrow direction keys) to nudge the selected points.

Place the center point anywhere.

Drag the cursor up and pick.

In the Top viewport, drag the cursor up and pick.

In the Rebuild Surface dialog box, set the Point count in the U and V directions to 8 and the Degree in the U and V directions to 3.

Check Delete input.

Set the Symmetrical=On.

Insert the knots in the V-direction.

Use window and crossing selections to select the control points on both the top and bottom of the ellipsoid.

Use the Point object snap to set the base point of the scale to the center point of the ellipsoid.

Drag the points to make the whole foot about twice the size of the original ellipsoid.

The CutPlane command makes a plane that passes through the selected surfaces along the line you draw.

The transition between the tail and body is rather abrupt; so replace this with a smooth blend surface.

To do this, you must first create a gap between the two parts for the blend surface to fill.

At the Select curve to create pipe around prompt, select the edge between the tail and the body.

At the Radius for closed pipe prompt, type .4.

In the Rebuild Surface dialog box, set the Point count in the U and V directions to 8 and the Degree in the U and V directions to 3.

Check Delete input.

At the Start of spine prompt, in the Front viewport, pick near the bottom of the wing.

At the End of spine prompt, pick near the top of the wing.

At the Point to bend through… prompt, drag the top of the wing toward the body.

At the Select curve to create pipe around prompt, select the edge of the hole in the body or the edge of the wing surface.

At the Radius for closed pipe prompt, use a radius of about .6.

This allows a different color for the front of the body.