Modelling question

[stevesideas]

Hi guys,

Im modelling a toaster, one of those Delonghi toasters. I have a curved surface and I need to create a hole for a control knob to go into.

The problem is, I have to alter the edges of the curve to be able to create the hole in the correct position. This is something Ive always had problems with so I just hope that someone can help me.

Here is an image:



As you can see the red lines, which show the edges I need to create to make the hole, go into the blue vertal lines which are on a curve, but this would mess up the flow of the curved surface.

Should I increase the mesh detail first..maybe the poly amount is too low ?

Thanks

[Clifton Santiago]

What do you mean that the hole that you cut interupts the flow? Do you mean smoothing groups? You can always re-autosmooth the mesh afterwards, and it should look okay. You could also make sure the new vertices created tie in with the ones on the existing toaster, by using connect in edit poly.

Alternately, you could use ProBoolean and it can re-triangulate the mesh after it cuts the hole.

[Paul Oblomov]

You just need to add some polys in that place and then select the vertice in the center of you neede hole and chamfer it, then extrude and chamfer again, until it is ok.

[stevesideas]

Its not the smoothing groups im worried about. What I normally do is create a spline, shapemerge the spline onto the mesh and create the hole that way. I then turbosmooth the mesh to smooth it. The thing is, when I did it this way, the extra edges interupted the curving of that surface to the left. It would kind of pinch where the extra geometry for the hole was.

I'll try the vertex way, but it will still end up with extra geomtry which, when turbosmoothed will pinch and bugger up the curve.

[Paul Oblomov]

Of course, you need to use cut, connect to form perfect octagon. But before, you need to add some segments, then move 'em a lil... etc. Basic polymodeling

[stevesideas]

Hi Paul. I dont have problems with creating the hole on the flat surface as you have, but for instance, how would you create a hole on the curved edge nearest the camera without disrupting the flow of that curve.

[Paul Oblomov]

You can use bend. You can create flat version, then bend it and merge with your surf. Or project your spline to that curved surface and then make a perfect wire Or use NURBS, if you wish 100% quality fillets, trims etc.
Or use turbosmooth, then collapse to poly and boolean, with some hand cleaning, to make a chamfer....

P.S. For money I can do whatever you ask. Well, almost

[stevesideas]

Ok. Thanks for your help. I'll try some different methods.