Hi, I'm fairly new to C. I received the entire metacreations library as a very nice gift a couple of years ago, and started learning 3D on bryce, simply because in seemed to be the easiest to learn. But lately I've been playing around with C, and from what I've seen so far, I don't think I'll ever render another image bryce if I can help it. I've set myself a personal challenge, just to get into the hang of modelling my own stuff, instead of relying on other people's stuff. In short, I'm attempting to make an electric guitar model, and I think I've figured out how to do most of it, except for one vital thing. What would be the best technique for getting bevelled edges on a complex shape like a guitar body? I've tried starting in the spline modeller (because I thought I needed it for the curves) then converting to vertex, but can't get that to work right. It seems to me that (although I haven't had the time to try it) starting in the vertex modeller will take forever to construct the smooth curves I need for the outline of the body. I've taken a look at litst's tuts on bevelling, and, though they've been very informative, I guess I'm having a tough time applying the techniques to my particular project. I'm continuing to work on this, but I was just curious if any of you modelling veterans had any suggestions on the subject.

litst has some good tutorials on this subject and Twillis has also posted some tricks for doing this in the forum. Do some searching around in here and you should get some good ideas. Also, if I understand correctly, Amapi can do some pretty tricky beveling stuff. You can get a demo for free on the Eovia site. There's also a beveling tutorial from litst on the Carrara/Raydream CD which you can buy here. Hope this helps. -Kix

Attached Link: http://www.chez.com/litst/eng/tutorials.htm

Hi Tempest, If you apply the bevelling technique i've showned in an animated tutorial, you should be able to get a nice guitar with bevels . You can download the Viewlet from my downloads page (you'll need Javascript) . Just grab the zip archive (1.5 Megs) . Keep us updated ! litst

Me again ;) I've made a little try and it's possible to start with a Spline object as you did to create the profile of the guitar . Once the profile is drawn, do Section menu > Cross-Section Options and uncheck Fill Cross Section . Now you can convert to vertex (Edit menu) with a 400% fidelity . Delete the front side and you should have a good extrusion profile . Then, the Viewlet technique will do the trick . Good luck, i think you're close :) ! PS : Hum, yeah i know, i'm not a good guitar designer ;) litst

item the first: I should have checked the disks again. After installing C, I had put the first disk aside and kept the contents disk handy for the models included on it. But, lo and behold, there ARE some pretty good tutorials on that first disk that I had overlooked... Thank you, Kix. item 2: litst, I hadn't tried it quite that way, obviously, but that should help tremendously. I had been extruding the shape to the thickness I wanted BEFORE converting to the vertex modeller. You're right, I feel like I am close and your advice might just put me over the top. Merci beaucoup, mon ami(amie?)!! I intend to post my creation here when it's done. 3rd: Out of curiosity... what program(s) do you guys use to do the screen shots that I've seen around here, and where can I get it. It would come in very handy.

If you are using Windows, pressing the "Print Screen" key copies the contents of your screen to the clip board, which you can then paste to any paint program and edit accordingly.

by the way, litst, don't be too hard on your guitar design. It's better than my first attempt was - naturally, you've had more practice ;o) I am still learning to draw with bezier curves, you used fewer points than I did to accomplish basically the same thing. Therefore, your post actually helped me in more ways than one, and learning is why I'm here. thank you, ~eric

thanks, twillis. silly me, I thought my keyboard wasn't working right because when I hit 'print screen', nothing went to the printer. :o) There is now a large hole in my wall from repeatedly banging my head against it.

Now if I could just find the ANY key...

That's easy, it's the button you push to extract your retractable drink holder. -Kix

ok....I seem to have hit a snag. It seems that after sweeping the quarter circle, and double-clicking on the blue line to try to select that last polygon, C won't select the whole polygon(above). If I manually select the rest of the vertices, the 'fill polygon' option still doesn't become available. Any ideas? by the way, I'm using v. 1.0.1

ok.. finally broke down and downloaded the 1.1 patch from eovia on my extreeeeemely slow connection, and it seems that this was one of the problems that was fixed. Still can't select the entire polygon on the first try, must select the remaining vertices manually, but at least it would fill in this time. again.. many thanks, litst, kix, and twillis here is the body I came up with, the rest of the guitar will follow soon (I hope)

Great guitar shape ! =) Can't wait to see it finished .