1. Introduction
1a. Introduction to the workings of this tutorial.
When "curve" is referred to it usually means the line connecting any two points.
When "spline" is referred to it usually means all points completing a loop or some other 2 dimensional shape following a particular curve.
For example: a 4pt. circle is a spline, but a sphere is three 4pt circles, and therefore three splines. However, a spline can be more than 4 pts, an 8pt circle is also a spline, as would a 10000 point circle.
This manual is not complete, for hamaPatch is still undergoing development. I have tried to be as clear and precise as possible, but if there is something that seems unclear please email me: draven2561@usa.net so that I may rewrite it more clearly for you and for others.
1b. Introduction to patch modelling.
hamaPatch is based on an older program called sPatch by Mike Clifton. It uses the same basic principles found therein for patch modeling. A patch is a group of lines and points representing a curved 3D surface. A patch is created by 3 or 4 points each connected to another by a set curve. However, if all 3 or 4 points lie on the same spline no patch is formed. The example usualy given is the following:
Pay no attention if the colors and views are different, you will learn how to change this later. For now, just notice the following: The circle on the left consists of 4 points, 4 curves, 1 spline, but no patch/face. However, the circle on the right consists of 4 points, 5 curves, 2 splines and 1 patch/face. Why is the right circle a patch, but not the left? The line through the middle of the right circle makes all the difference. It divides the points into 2 splines. Since the points lie in more than one spline it makes a face. It is not because it is now two groups of 3 points, for merely one group of 3 newly created points will not create a face, (try it and see). The points must lie in more than one spline, however not every point of a spline needs to lie in every other spline. Note: the above example was made via the process of welding points read the section linked to for more information.
For questions, comments, or additions to this documentation please contact: draven2561@hotmail.com.
Documentation by Jonathan Lee Jan. 18, 2005.
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