Dividing a Surface..Help Needed....

[78finn]

Ok I have made a mouse (computer mouse - not a squeeky one)...using gemometrey in Pro Surface - mainly boundry surfaces. The finished surface has beenconverted to a single quilt, but I have not made it into a solid. I need to add a part line to sepporate the top molding of the mouse from the bottom molding and I was wondering as to what the best way of doing this is? I need to end up with to sepporate quilts.


I'm guessingthat I could extrude a surface through the mouse to simulate the part line and then divide or trimthe quilt...but I was wondering if there is a better way of doing this?? Can anyone lend a hand? Would be very much appreciated...


Cheers Then..... Mikey from Melbourne Australia.
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[harrisonking]

Ok I have made a mouse (computer mouse - not a squeeky one)...using gemometrey in Pro Surface - mainly boundry surfaces. The finished surface has beenconverted to a single quilt, but I have not made it into a solid. I need to add a part line to sepporate the top molding of the mouse from the bottom molding and I was wondering as to what the best way of doing this is? I need to end up with to sepporate quilts.


I'm guessingthat I could extrude a surface through the mouse to simulate the part line and then divide or trimthe quilt...but I was wondering if there is a better way of doing this?? Can anyone lend a hand? Would be very much appreciated...


Cheers Then..... Mikey from Melbourne Australia. < =text/>_popupControl();

could you post an example?

 

[78finn]

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View attachment 3779


Very Crude...but hopefully you get the idea.....


I'm such an artist...thinking about cutting my ear off and moving to France! ; )

 

[78finn]

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p.s. the dotted line is the part line that I need to achieve.....

 

[james.lynch]

78finn.


in reality, your part line should drive the geometry and essetially should created by some of your first few features. This allows you to control draft and also the exact profile of your part line which plays such a huge part in any organic shape.


however, if this model is simply for a render or just training, well then if you can create the line by extruding then great - go for it! otherwise, you can project from various angles and then create a closed loop with which you can run a sweep to create your part line.


hope this helps!


James

 

[78finn]

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Thanks James...but I have found an easier way that I thought I would share.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />


Assume the mouse is one single quilt (all surfaces have been merged)and I have lofted a singlequilt surface through the mouse horizontally the represents my part line which is dimensionally driven (there for accurate).


I then select mymouse quiltand pick: Edit, Trim.


I then select my part line quilt as the trimming object.


Adjust the flip direction icon to keep both sides of the trimming surface.


In the options panel - remove the check box next to Keep trimming surface.


Then choose done.


And there you have it...The part line is accurately formed and the quilt is no divided into two parts about that line <?:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /></v:stroke></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:ulas></vath><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shape></v:image></v:shape>


Only took me 3 hours to work that out </v:image></v:shape>


Works really well though....


Here is an example...not on the mouse...because its client confidential...but here is a speaker I'm working on that shows the results....


If anyone else has another way of doing this...let me know as I have to do this all the time and am always on the look out for alternative parting techniques....


View attachment 3787

 

[78finn]

Ok here is an example of a part line on a mouse...not the mouse that I'm currently working on, but you get the idea. Good technique for part lines...


View attachment 3790
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[james.lynch]

Trim both sides is a veryuseful tool for deviding a quilt - which I suppose is the topic of the thread!

.


however, having built many mice for production, the importance of draft control on a part line is critical. you simply cannot cut an organic shape using a surface and hope that the result is in draft. Also, depending on the complexity of the organic shape, putting a split line on it by simply extruding/projectingin one direction will often lead to an undesirable shape inanother view.


in my opinion, this is a line which need care and atention and very rarly will it be satisfied by a resultant.


Just my $0.02.


James

 

[78finn]

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Hi James,


Hmmm, I see what you mean, after takig another look at the two halves you are dead right! Which is annoying

haha...


Is there any chance that you have the time to walk me through your part line proccess?? Click by click so to speak.


I know this will know doubt be a pain in the ar*e, but I have just joined an Australian company (originally from Manchester) that is heavy on te organic surfaces...and hmmm I'm beginningto get the feeling I might be lacking in a few areas.....such as part lines.


I'm currently working in a mouse for a big brand and could really do with picking your brain...if thats ok by you???


Finn