How do i creat smooth curve between two vertices

Support Basics & Interface
1

I’m learning the logo tracing tutorial and I’ve to the point where I have to create a smooth between two vertices. My current understanding is that I have to select the two vertices in question and hit h and that should draw a smooth curve. Well so far i’ve had no luck.

I’ll appreciate someone telling me if I’m doing something wrong please.

Thnx.

2

An edge is a straight line between two verts. (create with ‘F’ in edit mode, not ‘H’). Make it curve by subdividing the edge or creating more verts (for mesh) or use curves. It’s not a real problem as ‘Set Smooth’ will render a virtual curvature anyway.

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3

Sorry but I don’t think I explained myself properley first time around. You see the tut is located at http://www.vrotvrot.com/xoom/tutorials/logoTut/logoTut.html. I have done the initial trace of the logo and I have also converted the vertices back to bezier.

I already have edges between the vertices but they are now just straight lines but I need to get them properly curved to form the right shade. That is where my trouble is you see. I am supposed to :

“Now comes the real trick: for vertices along smooth parts of the logo (like the circles on the left), select the vertex, and hit h-key. This will align the bezier handles and create a smooth curve at that point.”

When I select the vertex and I press the h key I loose the handle on the vertex and I’m left with only the vertex and the joint is not curved either.

Thnx.

4

I don’t think you have understood correctly, or the author of the tutorial you mention, doesn’t give a clear view of what he means…

Anyway, when you hit h, it doesn’t automatically draw a smooth curve line between the selected vertices… It toggles between free and alligned type of curve handles…

Actually there are four types of handles:

  1. Automatic: they have an automatic length and direction (hotkey ‘Shift+H’)
  2. Vector: Both parts of the handle, always point to the previous and the next handle (hotkey ‘V’ )… You’ll understand the need for such a type, if you want to give nice sharp corners, on your curve…
  3. Free: The control points of the handle can be used in any way you want (hotkey ‘H’ it toggles between free/alligned)… You’ll recognize them from the black colour the handle has…
  4. Alligned: All the control points are in a straight line… Whatever you do to a handle, affects, the other… The handle gets a purple colour…

So the author of the tutorial, maybe means that by converting your curves handle to free type, maybe you have a smoother curve line… Try to toggle betwen free/alligned and move some control points in each case, to see what happens…

That’s all I know… If I have forgoten something or made any mistake, please correct me somebody…

I hope this helps…

5

That’s because the “shape” of your curve does not change automatically, with ‘H’… That’s what I’m trying to explain… You have to adjust it by moving some control points, yourself…

If you select one of the handles and move it with G, or rotate it with R, you’ll notice that the “straight” line “becomes” a smooth curve…

Just move your vertices man… :wink:

6

Aha! OK, a mesh has vertices and curves have knots. I should have known you were talking curves though.

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7

Thnx folks i’m okay now. Thnx indeed :smiley: