Precision arc specs & Fluted Column tutorial

[Marlise]

I guess I haven't looked in the right place, but I can't figure out a couple of arc things. The precision arc section in the User's Guide is doing its best to elude me.

1. Unless I measure with the tape measure first, is there some was to put a precision length on the first two points?
2. Apparently one can change the number of segments on the arc tool Entity Info dialogue box, but when I context click it, it doesn't let me change anything.

Doing this in connection with the Fluted and Tapered Column tut by Gaieus. Thank you! (Just now learned how to make a half sphere, and I'm getting better with alignment.) After you make the half sphere, do you intersect it with a face at the bottom of the column?

As you see, I'm still being blonde. How long will it before my hair turns completely gray?

--Marlise

[Gaieus]

Hi Marlise,

For the arc precision input:

1. click to where you want to set the first point
2. start "pulling" the cursor in the desired direction (but don't click
3. type your desired dsitance and hit Enter (this will set the second point

you can go on with the arc the same way

1. start pulling your cursor in the desired direction to create the bulge
2. type the desired distance again and hit enter

For the segment count: you can only change the segment count when you haven't affected your arc (poligon, circle) yet with other geometry. You can also set the segment count during reation:

1. select the arc (polygon, circle) tool
2. before, durin or rightafter the creation proces, type number+s (like 16s for a 16 segmented arc

Yes, intersect that half sphere. It would be easier (and faster) just to create a quarter sphere but the follow me tool has glitches with that (try to create one by only using half of the circle as the follow me path and you will see what you mean).

Want a (bit easier) tut on fluted/tapered Doric columns as well?

[Marlise]

Gaieus, you're a prince! It all makes sense and gives me lots more to play with. There seem to be things about the VCB that I still don't know about.

An easier tut would be nice. Are you sure I can handle something in my own newbie range?

The inference is getting a lot easier, too. "Whenever everything else fails, follow instructions."

--Marlise

[Gaieus]

If I wanted to put it short (and kind of rude), I'd say "RTFM"

But seriously, after playing around a bit and starting to understand how things work in SU, it is well worth to go through the whole manual step by step and while reading, doing what it says there.

At the end(ish) of each section there there are tips on what and how you can enter into the VCB (where applicable). And I can tell you that even I visit the manual time after time and discover new things (well, things that I forgot at least or do otherwise).