Spline Modeling question

[LWjunkie]

i've gotten the vehicle modeling dvd vol I., and it is just amazing. but i've also gotten splinegod's 'get into modeling with splines', and it too is equally awesome.

after learning from these tutorials, i can see the power of modeling with splines, and definitely see that organic modeling, as well as various vehicle (cars, trucks aircraft, etc.) modeling is definitely beneficial to use spline techniques with, but how about something like the 'uss enterprise' from star trek, for example..

would spline modeling be the way to go (at least for starting the model) for something like that?

or maybe other modeling concepts, ie., box modeling/subd, etc.?

was just thinking of things i've always wanted to model, and the 'enterprise' is one of 'em.

[richdj]

My personal opinion, and it is just that... Go with what you feel comfortable with, and don't restrict yourself to one way, you could easily use various methods for the one object... A friend of mine uses spines purely for putting in the background so that he has a 3D image to work off...

Try one method, and if you have problems , ask here, if it's still not working for you, try another method...

Rich

[DAVID WEBSTER]

I can only go on what i have been through for a beginner to modeling,when i started i only ever modeled by the box method,every day objects found in your home like furniture,after about 8 months i wanted to do more complex shapes
but i did'nt know how,i then got the spline modeling dvd for the SSR car and this showed me how to model much more complex shapes,could you model the car by the box method i,m sure you can but for a beginner i don't so,if it was me
again speaking from a newbie point of veiw i would choose splines
maybe a few more years down the road it may be different.
regards dave

[LWjunkie]

ok.. thanks for both of your comments.. i do like using various methods and techniques depending on what i'm modeling.

but i have never tried modeling something like the 'enterprise' before, and just wanted to know how other people might go about it.

thanks again.

[aonikoyi]

Close your eyes and picture the enterprise in your head and break it down in to simple shapes. ie spheres , cicles and squares. kinda like if you where going to buid it with legos or something.

Then start thinking of the tools to make this happen. This will get you past the modeling hump. kinda like an artist with white paper starring at them. it will get you past the fear. and remember you can always break what you build and try again, thats the fun of it.

[SplineGod]

I typically use splines as a general layout tool. I wouldnt use them for detailing since there are other ways better suited for it.

I would use splines to get the general shape fo the saucer but not the specific details.
I would set up the splines with the idea in mind that I will be creating polys, that I will be turning on subpatches and then multishifting out certain details.
The same goes the for general layout for the rest of it.