Single-span NURBS are exactly equivalent to Bezier Math. Interaction with the control points results in the same surface shape, and smoothness is guaranteed. The only difference for an ICEM user is in the terminology used.
In ICEM, the order of the patch or curve segment determines the number of control points available to sculpt the surface shape. With Alias, NURBS degree is used in the same way. The relationship between the two is: Degree = order - 1
To show the terminology Alias uses, here is an example of a single-span Degree 3 (order 4) curve and surface.
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Curve = ICEMsurf 'Curve Segment' |
Surface = ICEMsurf 'Patch' |