Z-Modeler User’s Guide
Appendix B - Lofting Objects Using Splines
In this Chapter:
T
his tutorial will (attempt to) explain how to use the CreateSurfaces >> • Tracing Images
Tabulated tool from two splines. When you have mastered this tool, you
will be able to create track surfaces with ultimate ease. First let me explain • Preparation
what a lofting tool does. It takes one Spline, and moves it around another spline, • Making the Bridge
making polygons along the way so that, what you have is a surface, of which the first • Creating the Surface
spline is a cross-section, and the second spline is the shape. For this tutorial, you will
make your own 8-Shaped track.
Tracing Images
You really only need a top tracing image to do your lofting. For this tutorial, we'll be using a 512x1024 image with an 8
filling the image (i used Times Roman for the symmetry). I also used Paint Shop Pro 7's feature of a Black stroke and
light grey fill. Save this as a BMP and load it in Zmodeler.
Preparing the Splines
Once you load the tracing image into the top view, then activate the Create >> Splines >> Linestrip command. Now,
pick an edge of the 8, and start clicking. You will left click to make a segment of the linestrip, and follow your edge all
the way around the 8 until you end up at the place you started. Make sure you do this on high enough zoom that you
use lots of spline segments. Take a look at this screen shot to see what I mean:
Keep on that edge of the 8, even when you cross the middle, as shown here:
Z-Modeler User’s Guide
Now, continue (now you are on the opposite side of the track though (the inside instead of the outside)) around to the place
Appendix B - Lofting Objects Using Splines
you started. Your final click should be on the first vert of the spline like this:
This spline maps the path of the track, from now on, we'll call this one the Path Spline.
Now we have to create the Cross-Section spline. This spline will be the shape of each track segment along
the Path Spline. So, I usually make a spline that is perpendicular to the first vert of the Path Spline like so:
This is all well and fine, but it is currently flat. So the next thing we have to do is extrude it. How do we do
that? If you had maximized the Top View, un-maximize it now (* key) and zoom in on a view that will let you
see the cross section. If you made this track like I did, then it should be the Right or Left window. Now, switch
to Vert Mode, Splines level (this can be accomplished by pressing 4, 1, and ` (next to 1)). Now press the "Z"
button and make the Top view active again. Now, activate the Modify >> Move tool and carefully move your
verts in the Cross Section Spline up and down as necessary until you get the track shape you want. I tend to
make about three segments mostly flat, then one segment nearly straight up (the wall) and after that, another
segment that goes up at an angle on either side, this makes a good track shape, though it's nothing real. You
should always take real track shape into account before making the cross section spline. Make something
similar to what I have here and move on to the next step.
For clarity, you will be clicking on each vert in the spline and moving the mouse up and down in the TOP
view. This will move the SplineVert up and down in the RIGHT viewport. This is much easier, since in the
right viewport it is nearly impossible to tell which verts belong to the Cross Section Spline.
Making the Bridge
Before you get all hot for making this track, remember that this track crosses itself. You will have to raise one
section of it in a bridge. This is easy: use the same method that you used when you made the Cross Section
spline. Pick one side that you want to be the bridge, and pull these verts up. Do it smoothly so that your car
doesn't bounce all over the place when you hit it. Make the rise high enough that your cross section will clear
it when it goes under the bridge.
Alternatively, you could just as easily make a tunnel: you just have to pull the same verts down, instead of up. I made a tun-
nel, because I think it will be more fun. Have a look:
Making the Surface
Finally! We get to use the fabled Tabulated tool. Activate Create >> Surfaces >> Tabulated. Now, you will click on one
spline and then the other, you wil be prompted for a name, and then Z-Modeler will create the surface. One thing is Impor-
tant: The order in which you click the splines! The order designates one to Z-Modeler as the Path Spline and the
other as the Cross Section Spline. First click the Cross Section Spline and THEN click the Path Spline. Your track
should show up. Don't worry if the track isn't exactly on the Path Spline, it's the right shape. :)
