Hi all, Last time we had a 15 minutes challenge, it was about modelling something in our kitchen . In spite of all my tries, i just couldn't find a way to model a fork in Carrara ... It could make an other interresting 15 minutes challenge, don't you think ? Try to model a fork in Carrara and share with us the technique you used . Of course, 15 minutes is probably enough to model the fork once you have the technique, but in fact finding the way to do it is the real challenge ! Good luck ! litst

When do we have to post the entries by? I've never done a 15 minute challenge before. But I'm interested in doing it. kaom

koam, post right to this thread anytime you are ready. OK, here's mine. Spline object with 4 cross sections. First one (back) has 4 ovals , shape #'s 1,2,3 & 4 extuded to cross section 2. Then disconect from next section. Then draw one oval (shape 5) & extrude to last section. Make all pipeline & symetrical in plane. Didn't have time to texture it as it's another working week-end!

Kaom, 15 minutes challenges are just that : challenges ! Challenges that last ( or should they ? ) 15 minutes, to make them more challenging . The thing is to learn something in the process, and it's all we win ! :) Willf - well, this is a logical technique ! :) Mines's a brain teaser .At the end, what i got is not the best fork ever, but it's okay . If you want to reproduce it, here's a short tutorial : - Draw the shape of the first image in the VM . Add more vertices than needed because the mesh has to be deformed . The shape must be about 8 inches long . - extrude the shape three times : 0.1 in, 0.2 in, 0.1 in, creating 4 "cross-sections" . then select the two central cross-sections and offset their surface of 0.1 in . This is to make simple bevels . - Smooth all . Crease the silhouette of the top and bottom cross-sections . Triangulate now . - In the assemble room, add some bend deformers to curve the fork . This is the hard part because it's very uneasy to set right . I've used 3 deformers, playing a lot with the bending functions . - Once your deformers settings are good, go deform the mesh in the VM : note what settings you used for the first bend deformer in the assemble room, and reproduce these settings with the "deform" function of the VM . When it's done, delete your deformer in the assemble room . Repeat the process for the other deformers . Now you should have a fork ... If i didn't miss anything ;) litst litst.@freesbee.fr

Here's how I did it in RDS 5.5 1. Fork was drawn in CorelDraw 3 (yes, I still use it) and imported as a cross-section into the free form modeler. Sweep path is straight and very short. 2. Here in the perspective window you can see that the fork is flat, and the mesh is a mess! 3. The bend & twist deformer is used to bend the tines forward. 4. The bent fork is grouped, and a second bend deformer is applied to that group, curving the entire fork back. 5. Finished fork in disposable white plastic. By the way, is the Carrara interface really as clean as the previous entries make it look? In comparison the RDS interface looks like a train wreck! Jim Z. a.k.a. Julian Boolean

re: post from Julian Boolean Yes, Carrara UI really is the Lexus edition of UI's. No more squinting at teenyweeny icons that keep changing on all the toolbars! Worth the upgrade, IMHO. You have all gotten me intrigued with this 15 minute fork. Sounds like fun!

Howdy folks! My fork was very much like Julian Boolean's. Only difference is I jumped into the vertex modeller after applying the first bend and twist deformer, added thickness to give the rounded edges, then applied the second bend and twist. And to Kaom and all others who are curious -- the purpose of the 15 minute challenges is just to learn. Try something new and quickly and learn from our fellow forumites. Thanks for bringing this one up, Litst.

Thanks to you, Chip ! After all, you're the one who had the idea of 15 minutes challenges, right ? Great forks all of you ! It looks like the spline modeller is the way to go . The more easy, fast and logical solution . I don't know why i really wanted to do it in the VM ... :P And one last thing : feel free to throw new challenges to the forum . Those 15 minutes challenges are a great way to learn ! litst

Oh, fork you guys!

Forkin' A! (For our English B's, Teri and I are making a pun off a word in english that sounds a lot like Fork, but can't be said in polite company....)

I think i know that word ! Is it ... "phoque" ? It's the french word for "seal" . But i really don't understand why we can't say it ! ;) litst

Since English evolved primarily from German and in the 11th century was heavily influenced by French, some of our words will seem very familiar to you, and some will not. This particular verb is derived from a German verb. (I'm kind of a crazy linguist at heart.) (I also suspect that you know forking well what verb we're punning from....) :o)

I think i do ... Let's try this : FORK THE CHEDDAR ! No ! What did i say ? Don't understand that i eat cheddar with a fork, please ! ;)

You know, litst, eating cheddar with a fork would be a little more seemly than the other interpretation. Of course, my mother always did warn me about the strange tastes and habits of Frenchmen.

Sacr Terri ! I haven't thought of that one second ! But if i really had to do this, at least i'll choose a noble cheese, like Coullomiers or something . Hum ... better wash the cutlery twice after that ! ;) litst

Litst, I was at the grocery store yesterday, and noticed that the cheese in a can was on sale. I thought about buying some and shipping it to you, but I didn't want to cause an international incident. Maybe you would have been pleasantly surprised, as there was quite a bit of variety in the available selection: American, Cheddar AND Sharp Cheddar. I was sure you'd be really impressed. --Terri

Terri, this is TOO funny! Not to mention cheesy! :'D. Hm... I still think the cheese-in-a-can has some intriguing possibilities... think of the headlines... "MAN ARRESTED AT JFK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BOARD A FLIGHT TO PARIS WITH THREE CANS OF CHEDDAR CHEESE ON HIS PERSON" Ok, it's goofy, but you know, there could inherently be a 'variant' fork challenge on cheese forks? Or perhaps variations on wacky forks. You all make my life just so much more amusing. (so, anybody up to making a boolean cheese model with the metaball modeler?) --Nancy

I suggest "Cheese in Can" for our next 15 min challenge. Any takers? (I wonder if this will get me banned by litst!)

Terri, i think you alone you could make a great bunch of terrorists ! Cheese in a can ... If this would come in France, we're good for the third world war ! You're dangerous, Terri . Hum ... not here ... Where have i put it ? Has anyone seen my guillotine ? litst

Wow Litst, you've got a guillotine? I bet you can really cut the cheese! And Twillis, I accept your 150 minute challenge (because I'm slow).

Jim, I saw your Cheesy Challenge and can only say that "a thing of beauty is a joy forever". Now I'm just waiting for AZChip to come along and tell litst what "cutting the cheese" is slang for.

"Cut the cheese" ? I just love the puns i can't understand ... I can imagine lots of things :)