The variety of 3D forms that can be created with c-meshes is virtually unlimited. Two examples and the control lines from which they were generated are shown below.
The complete range of curved lines (splines), including NURBS, can also be used in a 3D arrangement to produce curved surfaces called controlled meshes or c-meshes. These objects are stored with their control parameters, and can thus be edited later, through interactive graphic procedures, to change their shapes.
The c-meshes can be either surface or solid objects. When solid, their ends can be rounded, or they can be closed to produce a ring-like object.
Above: Three control nets and the c-meshes they generate.
Below, left to right: A surface c-mesh, a solid c-mesh,
a ring-like c-mesh, and a solid c-mesh with rounded ends.
a ring-like c-mesh, and a solid c-mesh with rounded ends.
AutoDesSys formZ Features: "C-meshes"
Nurbz
While the c-meshes include NURBS surfaces, they are frequently of a mixed character and also include facetted parts. In form·Z it is also possible to generate pure NURBS surfaces, which are specifically called nurbz. These are generated from control lines in ways similar to but also different from c-meshes. Available generation methods are by lofting, from boundary curves, from UV curves, and by points. These are illustrated below.
