Edit Spline Modifier

The Edit Spline modifier provides explicit editing tools for different levels of the selected shape: vertex, segment, or spline. The Edit Spline modifier matches all the capabilities of the base Editable Spline object, with the exceptions noted below. For a complete parameter reference, see Editable Spline.

• Create or select a spline > Modify panel > Object Space Modifiers > Edit Spline
• Default menu: Create or select a spline > Modifiers menu > Patch/Spline Editing > Edit Spline
• Alt menu: Create or select a spline > Modifiers menu > Edit/Convert > Edit Spline

The Rendering and Interpolation rollouts found in Editable Spline, which allow manipulation of the spline's creation parameters, are not available in the Edit Spline modifier. (The creation parameters are available in the modifier stack for a spline to which Edit Spline is applied.) In addition, the direct vertex animation capabilities of Editable Spline are not possible in Edit Spline.

When possible, it’s far more efficient and reliable to perform explicit editing at the Editable Spline level rather than store those edits within the Edit Spline modifier. The Edit Spline modifier must copy the geometry passed to it, and this storage can lead to large file sizes. The Edit Spline modifier also establishes a topological dependency that can be adversely effected if earlier operations change the topology being sent to it.

There are, however, situations where using Edit Spline is the preferred method.

• You want to edit a parametric shape as a spline, but want to retain the ability to modify its creation parameters after the edit.
• You want to store your edits temporarily within Edit Spline until you are satisfied with the results, before committing them permanently to an editable spline object.
• You need to make edits across several shapes at once, but do not want to convert them to a single editable spline object.
• You have a modifier in the stack that must stay parametric, and the resulting spline must be edited after the modifier is applied.

Procedures

To extrude spline segments or vertices

1. Create a spline.
2. With the spline selected, choose the Edit Spline modifier from the Modify panel or the Modifiers menu.
3. In the modifier stack, click the + icon next to the spline entry to expand the sub-object hierarchy.
4. Click the Segment or Vertex item to activate the sub-object level.
5. In the Viewport, do the following:
   • Shift + LMB drag a segment
     
   • Shift + LMB drag a vertex
     

To clone spline segments

1. Create a spline.
2. With the spline selected, choose the Edit Spline modifier from the Modify panel or the Modifiers menu.
3. In the modifier stack, click the + icon next to the Spline entry to expand the sub-object hierarchy.
4. Click the Segment item to activate the sub-object level.
5. In the Viewport, Ctrl + Shift + LMB drag a segment.