Essentials of Modelling a Head in 30 Seconds Using Free Open Source Software Seamless3d

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCXacwYR5jQ

Right click on the following link to download the Seamless3d file for the tutorial:
http://www.seamless3d.com/modelling-human-head/single-patch.smls

The transcript has been hand edited so if you have trouble understanding my spoken words, click on the transcript button below the video.
No short cut keys are used so you almost do not need to understand my words except were I say: Click to set it (the line)

Thyme,

In the FAQ, you allude to the preciousness of time--spending it one way precludes spending it in others.

Seamless3D promises to offer the quickest way for me to learn to generate customized 3D-head models for later "real" carvings on a CNC lathe.

As the work to create a carving, even after the acquisition of a model is still substantial, and as even tweaking an existing "standardized bust" into similarity with any given person still requires the development of significant artistic senses--and as I am already in my 60s and can feel time accelerating...

I'd like to let you know that sharing a model from the END of the tutorial ;^), would push me wayyyy up the learning curve.

AND, I don't want to forget to thank you for devoting yourself to making Seamless3D a reality--for all of us.

Thank you.

Ah, "be careful what you wish for..." :^)

I found your "Pre-Stitched NURBS Patch Structure" face:
http://seamless3d.com/pre-stitched/
in your youtube video. Somehow, it looked easier in my imagination... :^)

Thank you for anticipating the need.

Ah, "be careful what you wish for..." :^)

I found your "Pre-Stitched NURBS Patch Structure" face:
http://seamless3d.com/pre-stitched/
in your youtube video. Somehow, it looked easier in my imagination... :^)

Thank you for anticipating the need.

Hi Jacksson Sorry I just noticed your posts. I will read them in full later tonight but want to first let you know that this pre stitched head was an old experimental idea for seamless II and the file won't work well for Seamless3d III. The current version can load it but I can see problems soon arise if I try to insert any new control lines so I advise not to waste time on it. If you want a pre stitched head like this to begin with I will update the file and give it a better structure too.
Regards

Hi Jackson, I have read all your posts. If you only want to make pure lathe shapes so that you can recreate them in the real world using a physical lathe then you do not want a pre stitched head made of nurbs patches, this would only complicate things trying to keep everything circular. If you use only NurbsLathes to create your shapes there should be very little to it. Only one control line is all a NurbsLathe uses to define the curved edge. Drag the control points in the control line to alter the curve. I show how to add a NurbsLathe using Seamless3d III in my Modelling a Human Head Step by Step tutorial. The lathe is what we start with before it is converted to a nurbs patch but you will want to end this tutorial before the lathe is converted. Extra control points can be inserted into the NurbsLathe control line by holding down the enter key while you click on a point between 2 existing control points. To delete a control point press the delete key. To close the ends in your lathe tick the endSP and/or the beginSP check boxes. (found in the NurbsLathe control panel)
After closing an end in the lathe press Control + F4 to regenerate the triangles which will result in a smother finish for the closed end.
I would love to make a simple tutorial on NurbsLathes but have not found the time yet however they are very simple and largely self explanatory to use once you are familiar with how to open the scene tree window and the control panel for the selected NurbsLathe/node in the scene tree window.
To change the position of the lathe in the 3d scene use the NurbsLathe translation field and use the Nurbslathe rotation field to change the orientation of the lathe.

Thanks Jacksson for bringing my attention to the nurbs lathe tutorial reference in the FAQ as this tutorial is for Seamless3d II so I have changed the reference to the Creating an Animated Character Step by Step tutorial which should be more exciting and easier for beginners, taking advantage of Seamless3d III's capabilities. Most of what is in the old nurbs lathe tutorial still applies to seamless3d III but adding a NurbsLathe is done differently and a beginner would need to set the animation mode to poly animation rather than leaving it to the default nurbs animation making it not an ideal starting point.
The completed nurbs lathe avatar is available to the public but I do not recommend starting with this file as it will have the same issues. Your time would be much better spent learning how to add a NurbsLathe using Seamless3d III. Please let me know if you have any trouble adding one.
Regards