Common Sub-Object Controls

Many controls are common to the various kinds of sub-objects in NURBS models (with the exception of Imports). This topic introduces the controls that are common to most NURBS sub-objects.

Transforming Sub-Objects

One way to alter a NURBS model is to transform its sub-objects. Transforming lets you interactively change the model’s curvature and shape. Transforming points or CVs is especially useful for adjusting the shape of a NURBS curve or surface.

You can also Shift+Clone most kinds of sub-objects, except CVs. For curves and surfaces, Shift+Cloning displays a Sub-Object Clone Options dialog, which lets you reduce relational dependencies to improve performance.

Selection Controls

There is a Selection group box on the rollout for all NURBS sub-objects except Imports. The buttons in this group let you control which sub-objects to select. The selection buttons let you select sub-objects individually, or multiple sub-objects at once. For example, Surface CV selection buttons give you the option of selecting individual CVs, or selecting a row of CVs on the surface, and so on.

Note: There is no delete modifier for NURBS curves as there is for splines. Instead, you can use the NURBS Surface Select modifier. See NURBS and Modifiers.

Selection controls also include a Name field that lets you customize the name of individual NURBS sub-objects other than CVs. (The Name field is the only selection control for Import sub-objects.)

Visibility

You can hide or unhide NURBS sub-objects as you do other objects. Hidden sub-objects are invisible in viewports, but remain renderable. (At the sub-object level, hiding doesn’t affect the renderer.) You can’t select hidden sub-objects. Hide and unhide by name is available for curve and surface sub-objects.

Make Independent

You can make a dependent point, curve, or surface sub-object independent.

Warning: When you make an object independent, you lose the animation controllers for all objects that depend on it in turn. When you make point objects independent, you lose the animation controllers for all points on the curve or surface. Also, if you make a curve that trims a surface independent, you lose the trimming of the surface.

Remove Animation

All sub-object rollouts have a Remove Animation button. This removes animation controllers from the selected sub-objects.

Detach and Copy

You can create a new curve or surface object by detaching a curve or surface sub-object from a NURBS model. To do so, select the curve or surface and then click Detach. A dialog is displayed, which lets you enter a name for the new NURBS object. The new object is no longer part of the original NURBS object.

You can also use the Detach button to create a new NURBS object that is a copy of a curve or surface sub-object. To do so, select the curve or surface, and click to turn on Copy before you click Detach. A dialog is displayed, which lets you enter a name for the new object. The original curve or surface sub-object remains part of the NURBS object you were editing, but the copied curve or surface is now a NURBS object of its own.

Relational

This toggle affects dependent objects. When off, detaching a dependent sub-object makes it an independent object. For example, detaching a U loft converts it to a CV surface. When on, detaching a dependent sub-object also detaches the objects it depends on, so the object remains dependent. For example, detaching a U loft also detaches the curves that define it.