After installing the T-Splines plugin, you need to tell Maya to use it.
• On the menu, select Window -> Settings/Preferences -> Plug-in Manager.
• Look for “TSplineShape” (it will be followed by .mll, .so, or .lib; this depends on your operating system). You may need to scroll down to find it.
• Put a check in both the “loaded” and “auto load” boxes. This will load the plug-in and make sure it reloads every time you start Maya.
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This tutorial outlines the process of preparing a 2D digital file for tool-pathing with FlowPATH for use with the school’s abrasive water-jet cutter. The water-jet is only capable of 2D cutting operations, and has extremely limited control of the depth of the cut so work should be designed with 2D lines and with the intention that the lines will be cut completely through the material – not etched. Depending on the hardness of the material it is possible to etch or score a cut instead of cutting all the way through, but this should only be done with ductile materials as it will cause shattering or breaking in more brittle materials.
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Learning to use a CAD system is similar to learning a new language. We need to begin with the basic alphabet and learn how to use the basic alphabet correctly and effectively through practice. This will require learning some new concepts and skills as well as learning a different vocabulary. All CAD systems create designs using basic geometric entities. Most of the constructions used in technical designs are based upon two-dimensional planar geometry. The method and number of operations that are required to accomplish the construction are different from one system to another.
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In order to become effective in using a CAD system, we must learn to create geometric entities quickly and accurately. In learning to use a CAD system, lines and circles are the first two, and perhaps the most important two, geometric entities that we need to master Copyrighted the skills in creating and modifying. Straight lines and circles are used in almost all technical designs. In examining the different types of planar geometric entities, we can see that triangles and polygons are planar figures bounded by straight lines. Ellipses and splines can be constructed by connecting arcs with different radii.
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We are going to create a table lamp with lines and lathe in 3ds max. Go to Create>Shapes>Line. 1 In the Splines rollout set Initial Type to smooth and Drag type to bezier. In the left viewport draw a line similar to below. Go to Modifiers>Patch/Spline Modeling>Lathe. Don’t worry if you’re lamp base looks similar to below. In the Modifiers rollout click the plus sign next to Lathe and then click on Axis. Move the axis until you get a nice shape. You may have to turn on Flip Normals.
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