Hello, I'm trying to model the plastic part of a polypropylene chair like the one in the attached image. Its not for manufacture but I'm trying to build it in a way that I can get reasonable accuracy and then tweak certain details. I could spend an hour or two box-modelling something that looks correct, but then it'd be a long process to tweak the corner radii etc. What would be your method of doing this with nurbs or similar? I've tried using 3ds max loft tools, but it really doesn't seem to be geared up for this. Is 3ds max NURBS a reasonable method of doing this or is there another tool/program that would be faster to use?
Thanks for any suggestions you might have, I'm not new to 3d modelling but I'm more used to doing organic stuff.
Replies
Here's an example of what I mean. This didn't take long at all, and can easily be edited due to the low poly cage mesh. I make great use of the FFD mods on vert selections when modeling like this. Makes it so easy to be loose with editing forms. Now you would spend a bit more time on it tightening edges or whatnot and getting correct proportions....but not a lot more.
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Subdivision_Surface_Modeling#Tips_.26_Tricks
Remove the TurboSmooth, collapse to Editable Poly, use the subdivision rollout inside of Editable Poly.
Or, make an instance copy, but work on the original.
Or, toggle Show End Result.
Or, etc.