This is a shader 'how to' for the message below entitled, 'How do you make an arch?' Hope a picture is worth a thousand words. Mark

Thanks, Mark. The picture is sure useful. I'll have to check it out. - Nathan

By the way, Mark, the key issue seems to be - how to create the path in the first place to build the spline object, based on the texture map? Should I use a clear transparency over my computer monitor and trace the bitmap, and then use as a guide in the spline editor, or is there a more sophisticated way (like making a Photoshop mask and then somehow importing it)?

If you have photoshop the easiest way is to: open the texture> use the pen tool and create a path that follows the archway shape> then under the file 'pulldown' menu, select export> 'paths to illustrator'> open your file in Carrara> insert 'spline object'> import from the file pull down menue (drive the selection to wherever you saved the photoshop exported path)> and , TaDa, you should have a spline shape that is perfect for your texture. Hope this makes sense. Mark

Sorry, guess my run-on paragraph wasn't too clear on this in the first thread but I tried to suggest useing Illustrator to do the same thing. If you don't have a vector supported drawing program you can draw your arch on the cross-section within the spline modeler with the pen tools. You would have to set-up the spline object to be the same propotions as your drawing to minimize distortion. Just start with a simple horizontal box, ungroup it and add 3 control points at the base, One for either side of the arch and one curved hanle one in the center which you would drag up to approximate position. This is not the best method but for a simple shape like this you could get it to fit pretty good. You can adjust the curves as needed and see a real-time update in your previw window.

If you don't have Illustrator, check out Mayura Draw -- it's shareware and very easy to use. It'll export Adobe Illustrator files which can be imported to RD (and presumably Carrara). I use it all the time. I don't remember the URL, but if you go to Yahoo and search for Mayura Draw it'll send you right there. - Chip