Hi David - another thing I noticed in this model is that this surface here seems a bit odd:




If you use Edit > Separate to break it apart from the other one and then turn on its control points, you can see that its control point grid is kind of badly formed and kind of squashed together:




It looks like this was created as something like a network surface between 3 curves like this:




Usually it's better to construct something with a rounded outline like that by first making a simple broad rectangular surface (which will then have a nicely formed control point grid and not be squashed together anywhere) and then trim that surface by a side profile that has the rounded corners in it, more like this:










A surface created in that way by a more regular initial rectangular base surface, will retain that surface as the underlying thing below the trimmed away areas:




Just in general you will tend to get much higher quality surfaces with this method - the other way you can easily get ripples and bumps and even self-intersecting areas by trying to build a network directly to a non-rectangular outline like the other one.

- Michael

Thanks for the help. Following your instructions I was able to correct and complete the door.

Many Thanks!

Michael,

I finished the Audi TT and posted it in the Gallery. (but are they ever really finished?)

I have been thinking about what you said: "control point grid is kind of badly formed".
Maybe I should be thinking more about the overall shape of my object for creating Networks rather than individual parts
like doors, quarter panels, etc. I can Trim out parts later in the process, assuring a better relationship of the individual components.

What do you think?

Thanks again.

Hi David, your audi turned out great!

> Maybe I should be thinking more about the overall shape of my
> object for creating Networks rather than individual parts
> like doors, quarter panels, etc. I can Trim out parts later in the
> process, assuring a better relationship of the individual components.

It can kind of depend on the situation, but yes if you want to make something that has pieces that look like they all come from the same flowing shape, it can be a good technique to make a bigger surface and then trim the pieces out from that.

At the same time though, you generally don't want to make a surface contort and try to change shape too much between different forms, it's hard to get a good quality surface when you try to apply too much force to it to try and make it change shape too much. Areas of your model where things go through a sharp bend kind of signal an interruption in the base form, and it's not so good to try and build a network that traverses too many areas like that.

But when the pieces all look like they come from the same underlying broadly shaped form, that's a good time to use a larger surface + trimming.

- Michael