Stumped by a seemingly simple shape

[soljarag]

Hello, I thought I would post this product that I have tried to model in the past but never figured out a good solution.

Seems like it should be simple to get the basic shape.... well, on back part (where the text is) the top edge is flat then the front part is arced... the sides are arced and go down near the back;; on the bottom it goes up in the back.


Here are some more views:


http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8813/img1557mp6.jpg


http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3448/img1563td1.jpg


http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7577/img1564eo8.jpg


http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2134/img1565al3.jpg


http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/1643/img1566on0.jpg


http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9281/passport8500x50zq2.j pg


and here are the blueprints from the manual:


http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9414/topec6.jpg


http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7164/sideyj3.jpg





Any help would be great!


Thanks
Edited by: soljarag

 

[design-engine]

thats more complicated that it looks actually.I have a very specific way I handle products like that. It involves the use of a bounding box and underlying curve geometry.It is hard to explain but I will say the process for creating that shape here.

1 determine your parting line.
2 detail your plan geometry with Datum Curves (I use bounding box and layout curves)
3 sweep two surfaces with draft upwards and downwards (if you have constant draft)
4 determine the top and bottom surfaces. Usually those are not accomplished with a simple sweep (I try to create those surfaces with a four part boundary but that can become complex... I like it that way so I can accept changes from everyone and not remodel.

Looks like that product used a simple sweep for the top surface but that is probably from inexperiance on their part.
Edited by: design-engine

 

[soljarag]

Thanks for the reply, I have been so busy at work I havn't had a chance to mess with it...





In step 2, what do you mean bounding box?

 

[[-Skint-]]

Im surprised you find this difficult after seeing your excellent Modelling & Render in the render section.

 

[soljarag]

yeah.... theres something about this type of shape I just don't get...


design-engine,


what do you mean by bounding box and datium curves (step 2)?

 

[design-engine]

http://www.proetools.com/courses/pro_surface/intro.htm See images in the coursework materials. Notice the datum curve geometry .. Lattice structure. That geometry is there to enable the surface geometry and solids that follow to remain the most robust.