Draw curves

To draw a NURBS curve by placing CVs

1. Select Create > CV Curve Tool.
2. Click to place the CVs.
   • The first CV looks like a hollow box. The second CV looks like a letter U. Maya draws hulls between the CVs as you place them.
   • For each CV after the third one you place, Maya draws the shape of the curve.
   • To remove the last CV you placed, press .
   • To switch to editing CVs, press Home or Insert. A manipulator appears on the previous CV. Use the manipulator to move the CV, press to delete a segment, or click another CV to edit it. Press Home or Insert again to return to adding CVs.
3. Press to finish the curve.

Alternatively, you can use edit points if you want the curve to pass through certain points. It calculates the positions of CVs based on where you want the edit points.

To draw a NURBS curve by placing edit points

1. Select Create > EP Curve Tool.
2. Click to place the edit points.
   • For each edit point after the first one you place, Maya draws the shape of the curve.
   • To switch to editing edit points, press Home or Insert. A manipulator appears on the previous point. Use the manipulator to move the point, press Delete to delete a segment, or click another point to edit it. Press Home or Insert again to return to adding point.
3. Press to finish the curve.

Draw a NURBS curve freehand

1. Select Create > Pencil Curve Tool.
2. Drag to sketch a curve. When you release the mouse button Maya creates the curve.
3. The Pencil Curve tool creates a curve with a large number of data points. Use Edit Curves > Rebuild Curve to simplify the curve.

• As you draw the curve, Maya puts points in the view if they are at least five screen pixels from the previous point.
• If you sketch in an orthographic view (front, top, or side), Maya creates the curve on the view plane at the origin. If you sketch in the perspective view, Maya creates the curve on the grid plane.