Create curves

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You can create 3D curves based on the surface of a model, or create 2D curves on the screen plane. See also Curves.

To extend a curve, connect curves together, close a curve in a loop, change the shape of a curve, or smooth bumps in the curve, see Modify curves.

Once you have curves drawn in the scene, you can use them as a guide for your sculpting or painting. See Sculpt or paint using curves.

To create a 3D curve on a mesh

1. Select the Create Curve tool from the Curve Tools tray.
2. Drag on your model to draw lines.
   TipFor more precise drawing, turn on Steady Stroke in the Curve Tool properties.

   A Curve object is added to the Object List for each separate curve that you draw.

   As you tumble the camera and adjust your view, notice that the curves stay attached to the surface of your model, letting you wrap lines around the object.

To create a 2D curve on the view plane

1. Do either of the following:
   • Create a default 2D curve shape by selecting Create > Curves, then selecting one of the preset curves from the menu (Circle, Golden Spiral, Square, or Straight Line).
   • Select the Create Curve tool from the Curve Tools tray, turn on the Draw on Plane property, then draw freehand curves on the view plane.

     You can also draw 2D curves without turning on Draw on Plane if you start drawing the curve in an empty area of the 3D View (not touching a model).

   Mudbox creates the curve (or your drawn curve displays) on the view plane, and a ViewCurve object is added to the Object List. You can later adjust the scene view to position your model under the 2D curves and apply sculpting or painting based on the 2D curves.

To hide and show curves

Hiding curves can be useful, for example, if you're using Sculpt on Curve and want to inspect the sculpt or paint strokes on your model more closely.

1. Do any of the following:
   • In the Object List, toggle the visibility icon () beside a curve.
   • Right-click an empty area of the scene and toggle the Display Curves option in the marking menu.
     NoteToggling the display of curves does not affect the state of hidden curves. Hidden curves remain hidden when you turn Display Curves off and on.
   • Select Display > Hide All Curves from the main menu bar. Select Display > Show All to show the curve again.
   • Press Ctrl + H (Windows) or Command + Shift + H (Mac OS X) to hide all curves in the 3D View. Press U to show all.

To delete curves

1. Right-click the curve in the 3D View or in the Object List, then select Delete Curve from the menu that appears.