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objects, everything from jet planes to running shoes. Sculptors are just begging to make use of the technology.
There are three popular means by which to represent a model:
• Polygonal modeling - Various vertices on an xyz grid are mapped out. The vertices are connected in a linear fashion to form a polygonal mesh. Used for example by Maya 3-D.
• NURBS modeling or non-uniform rational B-spline involves forming curves by defining control points and attaching a ‘weight’ to each one. The curve follows (but does not necessarily interpolate) the points. Increasing the weight for a point will pull the curve closer to that point. NURBS are particularly suitable for organic modelling. Used for example by Rhino 3-D.
• Splines & patches modeling – Splines are curves which define the surface directly. This boundary representation is common in computer graphics.
In my practice I have used primarily Rhino 3-D and Claytools. Both of these tools are based on nurbs modeling and can produce a very organic form if desired. Practice of course makes perfect and after some time the tools become intuitive during usage.
HAPTIC DEVICES One of the most intuitive devices available to the sculptor is the haptic (or feedback) device.
The one I use is made by SensAble Technologies. It is a device rather like an arm which is anchored on a desk. It holds a pen which can move in any direction. When you create an object, for example a ball, the device allows you to feel it in space, while you can see it on the computer screen. While being able to touch the object (which exists of course only in the computer) in space the sculptor can manipulate it while feeling it. For example, by using the carving tool for a subtractive process, or by adding to the object for an additive process, one can alter the object. This could potentially allow a blind person to sculpt virtual sculptures on the computer. The process is as close to sculpting in real clay as is presently possible in virtual space.
THE FUTURE It would seem that the future is already here. One development that will be of great use to sculptors is the 3-D printer. As opposed to the CNC machine, a subtractive process, the 3-D printer is a machine that prints three dimensional objects, an additive process. 3-D printing was developed for industry as a method of rapid prototyping.
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