Doc:Tutorials/Modelling/BSoD/Curvyness II

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[edit] Bevel

The next feature of curves we'll be exploring is beveling. Beveling is an incredibly powerful technique for applying a cross section uniformly along a straight or curved line. To illustrate what that mumbo jumbo means, take a look at the image of a simple pillar. You might think, well, I can do that with a mesh and extrusion, but what happens if you want to make a curvy pillar (for whatever reason), although a better application would be a pipe, for example...

We, however, are going to be making the simple column and then a nice top for our frieze. Go to L3' and into TOP view. Add a Bezier Circle. The first thing to do is to design the cross section. From the images above you can the cross section is like a curvy cog kinda thing. The easiest way to do this (and this is a technique I made up a few years back) is to subdivide the circle three times. Now, deselect all verts and then select every other vert. Make sure you select the verts AND both of their handles, otherwise you'll get a weird looking column later on. Zoom in on each section and take your time. Once you've got all the selecting done, scale inwards by "a litle bit", so you get a nice curved cog.

[edit] The Column

Now TAB out of EDIT mode. We need to name the object something that we can remember later on. To name an object, press F9 and click the  LMB on the section marked on the image. Enter a good, descriptive name and press ENTER.

Go into FRONT view and add a new Bezier Curve. Press V to make it into a straight line.