Final model

STEP 1

First things first. Make sure you got your Snap option turned on in the status bar, and your OSnap enabled with some of the most commonly used options like End, Near, Point, Mid and Int.

We’ll start creating this little shovel from top viewport, like we would start tracing an image of some existing shovel imported in Rhinoceros.

With Curve command, create a curve in Top viewport which has its control points exactly like on the image below. This is why Snap (to grid) is handy tool to use here.

Image 1

Then we need another copy of this curve, and for that we will use Mirror command and mirror it across x axis.After that, use Join command to join two curves.

Then we can either use Line command to close these two curves into one closed polyline/polycurve, or use Close command which will do the same thing with less clicks.

Image 2

Now, using Rectangle command we will create a rectangle like on the image below: do not worry about the dimensions, just count the grid boxes and you’ll be fine. I’ve got some dimensions for you in case you get lost

Image 3

With Trim command, we will trim the parts of the two closed polylines which will help us join all curves into one closed:

Image 4

Next thing would be to make the corners smoother. They aren’t normally that sharp, are they? So, using Fillet command we need to fillet the upper and lower corners with 1 unit, and the inner ones with 2 units, and the tip of the shovel with 0.4 units:

Image 5

Now, before we go any further, it is good to check if all these lines and curves are joined all together. Just click anywhere on the line, and if everything is ok then it will be yellow as selected. One more thing to check is if this IS really closed curve with SelClosedCrv command which will select all closed curves.

Next thing we need is a basic shape of our shovel. Since it is curved in two sides, the best basic shape would be an ellipsoid. Using Ellipsoid command create one positioned just like on the image below:

Image 6

Ok, now we will Cut the Ellipsoid with the closed curve we created. From Top viewport, we need to select both Ellipsoid and closed curve, and run Project command. It is important to do this in Front viewport because the viewport is controlling the direction of the projection.

Image 7

Now we got two projected curves. One on the top and one on the bottom of ellipsoid. We don’t need the upper one, and we can delete it by selecting it and hitting Delete key on keyboard.

Using Split command, we will first select the object we want to cut which is in this case ellipsoid, and then the curve which is the object we wish to split with:

Image 8

Now we have finally created something that is actually resembling our shovel. This is one thin surface, and we need some thickness. Using OffsetSrf command we will first offset the surface and create one on top with distance of 0.3 units: (when you start the command, it will display white arrows on your surface, those are normals, and are used to see in which direction the offset will occur. Chances are your arrows point towards bottom, click on the surface and the arrows will change direction)

Image 9

We now have two flat surfaces and we need to connect them somehow. We’ll do that with BlendSrf command which will basically create nice blend surface between two surfaces: (Use AutoConnect option in command line)

Image 10

With Join command join the blend surface with two flat surfaces. You will notice on the part where would handle start there is some weird hole. Never mind that, that part will soon disappear.

Again, we need to create another Ellipsoid. Using Ellipsoid command create one like on the image below. Again, the positioning and size is crucial here.

Image 11

Hint: When you start Ellipsoid command, just follow these steps. Input “10, -3.75″ (that will set the center in the right position), press enter while active Front viewport (click anywhere in the viewport), “6, -3.75″ (that will set one dimension of the ellipsoid – length), press enter while still in Front viewport, “10, -2.25″, press enter while in Front viewport, “10,-1.5″ press enter Top viewport is active. Do not input apostrophe signs.

Using ExtractIsoCurve command, create a extract isocurve from the middle of ellipsoid. You need to hit the Quad point to make sure the circle is in ellipsoid’s center.

Image 12

Using ExtrudeCrv command we will create a cylinder out of this circle. So, start the command, select the circle, make sure the Cap option is set to Yes, and input 15 units in command line as extrusion distance.

Image 13

With BooleanUnion command connect ellipsoid with cylinder:

Image 14

Again, with BooleanUnion command we need to connect the plate and handle part:

Image 15

If you are getting something like on the image below….

Image 16

… then you need to use Dir command on the plate before you use BooleanUnion. Because the normals are pointing towards the inside, while they should point towards outside.

This next part will be a bit tricky, so pay attention. We need to create a variable fillet on the edges that connect the handle part and the shovel plate. The biggest radius will be 1 unit, while all others will be 0.8 units.

So, start FilletEdge command, and set 0.08 as default radius. Select the edges:

Image 17

… press enter, and click on AddHandle option in command line. Add 7 more handles like on the image below:

Image 18

The two big ones show be set to 1 unit, and you do that by clicking on the outer dot (center of an arc) and inputing the values.

Image 19

Introduction

Final rendered model

Ok, the above image shows what would your final model look like rendered.

So, how will we approach modeling this stool? You must be asking yourselves where should you start? Well, it doesn’t matter where you start. If you prefer tackling “harder” parts first, then it is your way of starting. However if you like to start with easier, more “solids” objects (like spheres, boxes, cylinders etc.) then you might want to start with the base and leg first. But I like to throw myself in a project head on first. So, I would go with the seat frame first then move to the wooden seat part, then go to the leg base, and then the leg.

So. lets start with the seat frame. How are we going to do that? Well, using Sweep1 command. For that we need one rail curve, and one section curve. What Sweep1 command does, it basically “drives” the section curve along the rail curve, and by that it makes a surface.

Lets start.

STEP 1

From your Right viewport, we will start creating straight lines. For that we will be using PolyLine command, and for extra help on creating we will turn on Snap and Ortho options from the Status bar of our Rhino window.

We need one PolyLine which will be made out of two lines:

Image 1

Ok, in the image above you can see our PolyLine. What I did is started from the Origin (the place where y-axis green line meets x-axis red line). So, we turned on the Snap option so we can easily snap to the origin. Starting our PolyLine from there, I then input in the command line the number which will be the length of the first part of our PolyLine. So, I typed in 2.7 and confirmed it with Enter key. After that you can see that your line in viewport is now exactly 2.7 units long, and you can set the direction in which it will go. Now, our Ortho option comes in handy because we want this line to be straight along x-axis. After you aimed it, just click so you confirm the other end of first part of PolyLine. Next, we need one line 3.5 units long, and going along y-axis. You need to do all this while still in PolyLine command.

Then, you will need a small line 0.8 units long and under certain angle of 60 degrees. We will start again our PolyLine (or in this case it is enough to use just Line) command and start our line from the origin, and inputting in commandline a number 0.8 and confirming it with enter key we will lock the line’s length, and after that you just input in the commandline <60 and confirm it with enter key. This way you will have locked both length and angle you need that line to be made.

Image 2

Ok, when you’ve done that, we now need to “smooth” the transitions between the line parts. We want them to be rounded under certain radius, and we will do that with Fillet command. So, go ahead and start the Fillet command, and use 0.5 units as radius. You need to click on the two ends of two matching lines. You should have something like on the image below:

Image 3

After filleting the corners, we need to Join all the curves into one open curve. Just selecting all (CTRL+A) and running Join command will do just that.

Now, we need the same set of curves on the other side, and the distance between those two will be 2.75 units. So, using Copy command we will copy that line exactly by 2.75 units to the right (working from Front viewport) by inputting the 2.75 and confirming it with enter key. That way we are locking the Copy distance on 2.75.

Image 4

Ok, now we need to use some OSnap. If you aren’t familiar with it, you should check out OSnap introduction. Using End OSnap option, we will snap to both ends of two curves and create a Line between them:

Image 5

Now we need to Fillet the corners between our newly created two lines and two curves. The radii are the same as before:

Image 6

Now, again, using Join command join all the cruves and lines into one closed curve. And there you go, we made one very nice and accurate rail which we will be using to create a seat frame in just few moments.

Before that we need to create a section curve.

We’ll do that with Rectangle command from Right viewport. Make sure once you start Rectangle command you click on the Rounded option in the command line. That way after creating the rectangle the command will ask us to input the corner radius for all four corners. So, for the first corner we will input 0.25 units, and for the other 0.1 units. For the corner radius we need to input 0.02. Then you should get something like on the image below:

Image 7

Ok, you noticed we created this Rectangle in god knows what position. No fear, we just need to move it  a bit with Move command. In this moving process, we will use OSnap option Mid as it will come in handy because we need to move that rectangle from its midpoint to the midpoint on the closed rail curve.

Image 8

Ok, now we have both our rail curve, and section curve. And now we can go ahead and create a surface out of the two. Using Sweep1 command we will do just that. For the Sweep1 option, leave it as it is:

Image 9

Great, we got our seat frame surface. Moving on to the seat surface. For that we also need a set of curves, as you already figured that out for yourselves, for each surface creation we need curves. But, in this case, we won’t be creating new set of curves, but rather using the existing ones.

Now would be a great idea to move this frame surface into another layer and hide that layer. Lets go create a new layer and name it “Seat Frame”. Now, select the frame surface, and right click on the “Seat Frame” layer, and select Change Object Layer. Now our surface is in this layer. We can easily lock or hide the layer by clicking on the little yellow bulb so it becomes blue (turned off).

Image 10

Image 11

INTRODUCTION

I really liked modeling this model, it turned out really good, and I must say that it was pretty easy to model it too. However, there is fairly enough playing with Osnap, but then again, when do we not use Osnap frequently? Anyway, to get you started, you first need to download some kind of blueprints I made for you out of this model. You just gotta love that Make2D command!!!

Blueprints reference

STEP 1

First things first, we need to setup our blueprints. Not only import them into Rhino, but also position and scale to fit the dimensions marked on them. First, go to Front viewport. You can expand it by double clicking it. Next, using PictureFrame command browse for blueprints you previously saved to your computer. Now, you don’t need to worry about how to position or how big you should make it. We will fix that in a bit, but just make sure your blueprints are not tilted. For that you can use Snap, or even better Ortho.

PictureFrame

Move from blade tip

Scaled blueprints to fit the line length

Another line

pic

INTRODUCTION

Ok, this is another tutorial on modeling some ID product. I’ve tried to simplify this to the bare bone, and I hope I managed to do it. Actually, this is a method you could use on various other projects too. This is what it all comes down to, all you need is create a set of base curves right, after that it is all just music to the ears.

STEP 1 – creating the curves

In the images in this tutorial, you will notice I have 20×20 grid system. You can take a look at my previous tutorial on setting up and prettifying user experience by changing grid and other settings. That will give you an idea how to change your grid system. Basically it is just grid option Extents that is set to 10.

To start off, we will need 4 points. We will use those 4 points for creating a curve. So, go ahead and maximize your Front viewport and create 4 points with x and y coordinates as set: x=-17, y=1 / x=-5, y=-1 / x=9, y=-2 / x=22, y=-1.

create 4 points

Using Curve command, create a curve between those 4 points. To make it easier to snap to the points, just use Osnap option Point. Next, create a line horizontal with start at -17,2 and end at 22,2. We’ll need one more line with start at 7,3 and ending at 8,4. You can create them with Line command or just PolyLine.

two more lines

Next we will create one polyline and one line from Right viewport. Use PolyLine command and for 4 points of polyline use: -4,-5 / -2,-10 / 2,-10 / 4,-5. For the line use PolyLine or Line command and for the start and end use: -5,-8 / 5,-8.

creating some more lines

Using Trim command, just trim off polyline and line, leaving everything above the line. Once you do that, using PointsOn command, you simply show control points of two tilted lines and move the upper control points up by 1 unit.

trim and move control points

In perspective viewport Move (or Copy) that polyline from Mid of the middle (straight) line, and move it to the end point of the first curve we created (22,-1).

moving polyline

Go to Top viewport, and from there create a curve with Curve command (-4,10 / -10,0 / -4,-10).Note, it would be smart to disable Osnap for a second when you are creating this curve. You might get in trouble at middle point if you have some Osnap options on, so to avoid any possible problem, just disable osnap for this step.

just another curve

Move that curve 6 units left. So it just touches the grid. From front viewport move it up by couple of units i.e. 5. Using Rotate command and clicking on the Copy option in command line we will create one more instance of the curve but rotated by 90 degrees. Then, if you haven’t already, enable Osnap, and using Mid option move that curve to the first point of our first curve (-17,1). Use Osnap option Point to snap to that point. Otherwise if you want to input the coordinates, you would have to do it from the same viewport where you created that point, so from Front viewport.

Rotate & copy, move

Ok, this step might get a little confusing, so pay attention. We need to set that curve to face the curve perpendicular. Check the image to see what curves I’m talking about:

what to do

Now, we need to rotate vertical curve so it is perpendicular to the bottom curve. We’ll do that by first creating a line that is perpendicular to the curve below. So, start your beloved PolyLine command, and hover your mouse over the Osnap options, and while holding down CTRL key, you will reveal some more Osnap options. Click on the second one, PerpFrom. Now, you are asked to select the curve on which you would like to show the tracking, so select the lower curve. Now, you can move the tracker where you want to start your line from, and move it all the way to the left (Point Osnap option might help, or end).

PerpFrom osnap option

Now, we created a line that we will use for a rotation angle.

line

Now, just rotate from Front viewport the curve to fit the line angle.

rotation

Now, repeat this step for the other end of the curve and other section polyline:

repeat for this side as well

Introduction

So like I said, in this tutorial you will learn how to model a light bulb in Rhino. The first “glass” part will be just a bit tricky because we need to control the curves little bit more than usual. After that we will make bulb screw threads, where the method is similar if not the same as the one explained on Rhino tips website. If only I known for it when I made this tutorial heh. Anyway, this one is pretty easy, but needs some special attention in some parts.

If you like, you can download source 3dm files step by step just to keep on the track.

source 3dm files step by step

This is what you will have in the end:

final model

STEP 1

First we will start from top to bottom. So we’re making the lighting spiral. Start with creating Circle from top view of radius 5cm. And create two small circles of radius 1cm. You can use Snap to make them really easy:

image 1

Next, we need a Spiral. Using Spiral command make one starting from origin. Once you start the Spiral command just input 0 (zero) and press enter, now from Front viewport make it high 5cm. And for the radius use your already made circle that is 5cm in radius. Move that spiral 3cm up from front viewport and you should get something like on the image 2 and image 3.

image 2

image 3

Now we need a little help line. You can make one starting from center of the right smaller circle. It should be straight vertical line, so you can finish it either from front or right viewport:

image 4

Now, using BlendCrv blend the lower end of spiral to the little help line with G1 continuity on both sides:

image 5

Using Copy command, copy the spiral and blended curve. While in the Copy command in the command line click on InPlace option. Or simply use Copy & Paste commands (ctrl+c, ctrl+v). While having selected two copied curves, Rotate them from top viewport by 180 degrees. Check if you have something like on the image 6:

image 6

Now, with create a Point from right viewport (or front would work fine too) exactly 9cm from origin:

image 7

Now, start Extend command, and press enter for dynamic extend. Enable OSnap and check Point option, and click on each upper end of spiral and extend it to the point.

image 8

Now the endings of two spirals are not tangent. So with Match command we will match those two curves. Make sure both ends are set to Tangency and Average Curves is checked:

image 9

Now select all 4 parts of 2 spirals and join them together. Now, using Pipe command we will make a surface out of this curve. For the starting and ending radius you can use two small circles as reference. Near OSnap option is a good way for this. Ofcourse, you could use sweep1 or even sweep2 commands.

image 10

Now the big circle will be used to create the body of our bulb. Select it and run ExtrudeCrv command. Make sure the Cap is set to Yes and BothSides to No. We will extrude it down by 8cm, so you can either use snap and count for yourself, or simply input in the command line -8 and press enter.

image 11

Using FilletEdge command fillet the upper edge of the cilinder by 0.5cm.

image 12

Using one of two smaller circles offset one by 0.3cm. And move it up vertically by 0.6cm.

image 13

Using Rib command and the body of the bulb create a surface like on the image 14. Rib distance is 0.2:

image 14 - mirrored curve for rib

Now for the ribs, we can make them look even prettier by filleting edges. So with FilletEdge command fillet those three edges for each rib with 0.05cm as radius:

image 15 - filleting

Now lets get back to the lower part of the bulb body. Like we filleted upper edge, we will chamfer the lower one with ChamferEdge command using 2cm as CurrentChamferDistance option.

image 16 - chamferedge

Now, we will FilletEdge the middle edge with 0.5cm as fillet radius.

image 17 - filletedge radius 0.5cm

Using ExtractSrf command we will extract the bottom cap surface:

image 18 - omg, we're using ExtractSrf for the first time

When you extract this surface, you can delete it. And using the edge where this surface was extrude it by 1cm down. So just input in command line when extruding -0.5. Make sure the Cap option is set to No.

image 19

Now, you can create PlanarSrf to “cap” it on one side: (you could also join all the upper surfaces of this bulb body and simply use Cap command to close it)

image 20

Lets do some details on the body. From front viewport create one line and offset it down by 0.3cm… Like on the image 21

image 21

With Trim command trim the body surface between two lines:

image 22

Using Offset command, offset the two edges inwards by 0.2cm. The easiest way is to first have everything deselected and run the command offset, then click on one edge from perspective view, and then from top viewport simply move your mouse pointer inside the cilinder and in command line type in 0.2 and press enter. Do the same for the other edge and you are set to go.

Then, using Loft command click on the lower edge first, then two offset circles inside, and then the upper edge, and with style set to Straight sections create loft:

image 23

Now, join those surface, and make it prettier with FilletEdge using 0.05cm as radius.

image 24 - smooth edges with FilletEdge

RESOURCES

STEP 1

We will start from the bottom up. So, first we will model the bottom plate. Create two circles from the top viewport, one 11.9cm in diameter (if you see a diameter option in Circle command, click it so it turns into Radius – that means the diameter is on) and other 11.5cm.

Then we will need three more circles (you can make them anywhere, just make them concentric). Make them 0.3cm, 0.6cm and 0.8cm in diameter.

Now, using Mid, Quad and Cen options in Osnap, position these three little circles on the End (or Quad) point on the outer bigger circle. And move those three from right to left by 0.85cm.

Now we need three more groups of those 3 circles. So, we will use Arraypolar, and array them 4 times around the center of bigger circles (in my case that is 0,0 as I usually have my models in the origin).

Now, select the inner circle of two big, and outer circles of each three-group circles and move those circles up by 0.25cm (from front viewport):

Now, select and copy the inner circle of two bigger, and move it up by 0.55cm

Now, copy the outer circle, and move it up by 0.8cm:

Now, back to those 3-group smaller circles. Select the inner one (4 of them) and move up by 0.75cm. Then, copy those moved circles, and move the copied ones up by 0.2cm.

Now, pick one group of circles, and we’ll start making the boss. Create a surface between two smallest circles. I used extrude, but you can use Loft as well.

Now, the bottom one, I’ve extruded it to the bottom small circle (here, if you want to use loft, you need one more circle that is in the same construction plane as the bottom smaller circle).

And then, extrude the biggest circle to the upper small circle:

Now, we need to create the surfaces between inner and outer circles. We’ll do that with PlanarSrf.

Join those surfaces, and ArrayPolar like we did for the circles.

Now, we’ll make the bottom surface, so select outer circle, and 4 little ones and using PlanarSrf make a surface with 4 holes (just run PlanarSrf command and hit enter):

Repeat the same step for upper 5 circles:

Now, using the Loft command, make a surface out of outer circles (Use the straight sections in style option) :

Join those surfaces, and we’re done with the plate.Theres just one thing to do, that is fillet the edge. So, using FilletEdge and 0.1cm as radius, fillet the shown edge:

You can download this tutorial in PDF format here.

Organic Modeling for Jewelry Design with T-Splines and Rhino® 4

Designing a Ring

Juan Santocono

Industrial Design

Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentine

Matt Sederberg

T-Splines, Inc.

© Copyright 2008 T-Splines, Inc.

Designing freeform objects can be difficult when working with traditional CAD software. T-Splines and Rhino 4 offer an easy way to create smooth, gap-free organic models for jewelry design.

The best way to read this tutorial about how to model a ring using T-Splines is by looking at the 3D model at the same time. You can follow the model’s progress by selecting the differ­ents layers in the file. The model can be downloaded at www.tsplines.com.

In this tutorial, anything in Blue is a Rhino command, while anything in Red is a T-Splines command. Type these commands in the command line of Rhino to run them.

STEP 1 – WIREFRAME

Ring Profile
First, draw the main profile of the ring using Curve. For me, the best way to get the right pro­file is by designing it undeveloped.

This particular design consists of two hearts connected by the body of the ring. The idea is to have a smooth transition between the body and the hearts, with no sharp edges.

STEP 2 – WIREFRAME

Control Polygon
Use ExtractControlPolygon to extract the control polygons of the curves.

In step 5, we will use this control poly­gon to generate a T-Splines surface with the same profile of the native curves.

STEP 3 – WIREFRAME

Inner Lines
Once we have the control polygon profile, we need to connect the points.Remember that the ideal thing is to have rectangular regions (keep that rule of thumb in mind when you draw the curves.)

Each line intersection will determine where the control points will be on the surface.

STEP 4 – WIREFRAME

Extrude Lines
Now we need to extrude these lines with tsScriptExtrudeControlPolygon (Thanks JB and T-Splines for this amazing tool!) in order to get a 3D control polygon.

Remember to delete all the internal lines after extruding. These inner lines are not necessary for the tsControlPolygonToSrf command (next step).

STEP5 – T-SPLINES SURFACE

Transform to T-Splines Surface
Before generating the T-Splines sur­face, we need to be sure that we only have the lines we need; for this, I usu­ally use: first, ungroup all, then split selected curves against each other (tsSplitCurves), select duplicate curves (SelDup) and Delete them.

Now the curves are ready to be trans­formed to a T-Splines surface.

Select all lines and enter the tsControl­PolygonToSrf command.

Check the preview option to ensure the surface is correct. Now we have a T-Splines surface.

STEP 6 – T-SPLINES MODIFICATION

Body Profile
To get the desired body profile, we need to make some changes by moving control points of the T-Spline surface using tsManip.

First, scale -X (in the negative “X” direction) the twelve selected points shown on the screen­shot. Scaling points is a way of moving them symmetrically.

Second, move these same points -Z in order to get a smoother curvature on the outside part of the ring body.

STEP 7 – T-SPLINES MODIFICATION

Face Extrude
For the ring design we need a flat face on the inner part of the ring body that will touch the finger.

One way to do it is by extruding faces. With tsExtrude, select the faces to be extruded, in this case all the ones that comprise the inner body. Do not select faces that touch a star point, this will result in the addition of control points that we don’t want right now.

The extrusion must be very small to get a small radius transition to a flat surface. In this case, 0.3 mm.

After we extrude these faces and exit the command, points associated with the extruded faces will remain selected. Scale these points to get the flat surface closer to the ends of the hearts in a smoother transition.

It’s important to pay a lot of attention to how the T-Splines surface react to these control points movements in order to understand it and use it on future projects.

STEP 8 – T-SPLINES MODIFICATION

Heart Modification
The idea of the design is that the two hearts are thinner on the interior tip and thicker on the body. To achieve this we just need to select the control points on the parts of the hearts shown and scale them -Z. (Scale the points of both hearts at once to ensure a symmetrical scaling).

Next, unselect the outermost loop of con­trol points and repeat the -Z scale. Do this with every loop of points (shown below).

Now we have the final shape of the un­folded ring.

STEP 9 – ADJUSTMENTS

Curvature Analysis
One way to know if our surface has the correct curvature and smoothness is with the CurvatureAnalysis tool.

For example, here I used the Gaussian Style to see clearly which surfaces have a negative (blue) and positive (red) radius.

I detected a surface area where the curva­ture changes from negative to positive in an unintended location, which breaks the smoothness.

I selected the control points that affect that area and scaled them (-X) to smooth the surface.

Notice that you can manipulate the surface while keeping the analysis on, this gives immediate feedback.

Once the curvature is fixed, the T-Splines surface is done

STEP 10 – SURFACE CONVERSION

Set Smoothness
Once we are satisfied with our design, we transform our T-Splines surface to NURBS surfaces. We need to do this because for the next steps we will use some Rhino tools that only work on NURBS, not T-Splines.

Before converting to NURBS, use the tsSetStarSmoothness command to smooth the surface at star points. I used a smoothing value of 5.

Transform
Next, use the tsConvertToRhinosurf command to turn the T-Spline into a NURBS surface.

STEP 11 – BODY INSCRIPTION

Preparing Surfaces
You can add some inscriptions on the ob­ject in many different ways (e.g. Boolean operations). In this case I prefer to do it by managing surfaces instead of “solids.” This way I have more control at each part of the procces, and also have less geometry to manage, which results in faster opera­tions.

First, Explode the NURBS surface and Hide all the surfaces except the one we need (see the screenshot).

Follow this process:

1-Create a solid TextObject.

2-Fillet the text.

3-Scale the text to fit it on the surface (tsManip).

4-Trim the letters’ surfaces and then Join them all together.

5-Fillet the text with the ring.

6-Ones we have all the letters filleted, Unhide and Join all the surfaces together to yield a closed polysurface, like we had before the inscriptions.

STEP 12 – FINAL TRANSFORMATION

Flow Along Surface
Finally, we need to deform the undeveloped ring surface to get a circular ring. For this, we will use the UDT Rhino tool FlowAlongSurface.

First, draw an arc that represents the side ring profile, extrude it using ExtrudeCrv (the distance will be the width of the ring) and finally unroll it (UnrollSrf) to get the base surface needed for the UDT operation.

Now that we have got all the sur­faces needed, just use the FlowAlong Surface tool using the unrolled sur­face as the Base surface and the arc extrude as the Target surface.

The result is a perfectly smooth, high detail 3D model of a ring ready to be manufactured.

Good luck in your modeling!

Any questions, write to my e-mail below.

Juan Santocono,

Industrial Design

jsantocono@fibertel.com.ar

A free trial of T-Splines for Rhino may be downloaded at www.tsplines.com.

]]> http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/tutorials/designing-a-ring-with-t-splines/feed/ 1 http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/tutorials/learn-how-to-model-a-bottle/ http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/tutorials/learn-how-to-model-a-bottle/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:02:26 +0000 Ivan http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/tutorials/learn-how-to-model-a-bottle/ In this tutorial we will try to make a Domestos bottle. Not so accurate, but close enough!

In this tutorial I will show you how to model a plastic bottle. To be more precise, this is a Domestos bottle. But the same method can be used to model any kind of bottle like shampoo bottle.

Image made by: gery

RESOURCES

TOP VIEW->180420084211.jpg

STEP 1

Ok, before I forget, the background image in top viewport is 208 units wide, and the one in Front viewport is 191 units wide. Ok, so after you set up your image references, we can start with the base of our bottle.

We will first make two lines with Polyline (or Line) command and make the second one go through the middle of the first one. You can either make the lines first, and then using Mid osnap option position the two lines in their middle, or you can make a longer line with Polyline and then using Line: From Midpoint (From lines menu) and start that line from the middle of the longer one…

The longer line is 92mm, and the shorter one is 60mm. If you use Midpoint line then input half, 30mm.

Next, create a circle of Radius 85mm anywhere in the top viewport. And then, using Quad option in Osnap move the circle to fit the end of the shorter line.

After you’ve done that, we need to mirror that circle over our longer line and then make two lines at each end and perpendicular to the longer line.

Trim the parts we don’t need, and fillet the corners with radius of 25mm.

Now make an ellipse 84mm wide and 54mm high.

STEP 2

Join all curves into one closed and extrude by 170mm upwards.

Next, make a line at the mid of our extruded ellipsoid.

With InterpCrv command make a curve and then using match command match that curve to be tangent to the line we just made:

In the Front viewport, from the start of curve make a line like on the image below and make it 50mm long, then from that line’s middle point, make another line 40mm long (it would be very helpful if you use Line: from Midpoint). Next, make another line perpendicular (use Perp option in Osnap) to those two lines, and make it long enough as the cap of this bottle is. Now move the 40mm long line along that perpendicular line so it fits the image.

Create two circles with center on the perpendicular line, and end point on the end of each line (the ones 50mm and 40mm). The easiest way to do this is from Perspective view. Mid and End options in Osnap are very helpful here.

Now on the other end make a small line as on the background image:

Now, make an interpolated curve between the upper end of this small line and bigger circle:

Using PointsOn command show the control points of that curve (that is still showing as a straight line – but not for long). Now move one of the control points to the left a little :

Fillet the curve and little line with 10mm radius.

Now, you can turn off the control points with PointsOff command.

With Sweep 2 rails (sweep2) command select two opposite curves as rails and the bigger circle and the surface edge as two cross sections:

RESOURCES

STEP 1

First things first, we need to insert the reference image in the top viewport, as always. So using BackgroundBitmap command, insert the image (I made the background 67 units wide).

When you got the background in the right position, we now need a straight line in the middle of brush on the image. So, using polyline create the line. After that, we need to create left edge, you can do that using circle command. Then, using polyline command, create a line, and using Curve:Interpolate points (InterpCrv) create a curve as on the image below:

Using all those curves, trim off the parts you don’t need, and there where two trimmed circles are, fillet using fillet command by 2 points (if you made your background image 67 points wide).

From your front viewport, using Copy command, copy your newly created closed curve by 3 points on y axis upwards.

Next, using InterpCrv command, create (by clicking only twice – start and end point) a curve between those two closed curves. You might find very helpful using end or mid option in Osnap. (find where your curve’s end is, an alternative way is to use int option, and click on the intersection of your first polyline (for mirroring) and bottom closed curve, and then using Perp, go up to the upper closed curve perpendicular)

Using PointsOn command, show the control points of this curve, and if you used perpcrv as I said, not polyline or line, then you should get two control points inside your curve. Move those to the right (from Front viewport) by 1.2 units.

Next, using two closed curves, and this profile curve, create connecting surface. We’ll do that using Sweep2 command.

Ok, next, using PlanarSrf command, create top and bottom caps of your base model.

Yeah, yeah, I know. You must be thinking “Another rim tutorial”. Well, first of all, I’m pretty sure you will learn even one new command in this tutorial.

Resources

Video tutorial  for modeling car rim.

STEP 1

Insert the first reference image into the background of your Right Viewport. I made it 50 grids wide. You can set the background image to be in color, and remove grid with grid command. Using polyline (or just line) command, make simple straight lines according to the background image.

Trim the parts that aren’t needed, and fillet the intersections with the radius of 2. And offset by 0.4 inside.

After you made a profile for the rim, insert second reference image and using scale background image and move background image commands, position it so it somehow fits your profile curve.

Using Curve: Interpolate points command, create another profile… like on the image below. You can create one polyline in the middle of the rim.

Trim off the parts of curves you don’t need, and on the inner side of your spoke, fillet the straight line and curve with 2.

NOTE: at this point, I have rotated my curves from front view by 90 degree and positioned so the far right end of curve is in origin (0,0)

Using Remove Knot command, remove selected knots. So you end up with uninterrupted curve, so when you try to explode it, it says this: “Cannot explode single curve segments.”