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Modelling with Splines:

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Next to "Amount", there are 2 toggle buttons. To use these, you can either click on them individually to increase or decrease the value, or you can click and drag up and down to change the value quickly. You can also enter the exact value in the "Amount" field using the keyboard.

Splines are basically 2D lines which can be manipulated, and then turned into 3D objects using a variety of different tools. In this section, we will learn how to create a Spline, how to Extrude it, and how to Lathe it.

Creating and Extruding Splines:

• In the Create Panel, click on Shapes:

• You are given a choice of shapes to choose from. Choose Star.

• Click and drag in the Front viewport to create the first radius of the Star.

• Click to finish the first radius

• Drag to define the second radius.

• Click to finish the Star.

• You have now created a 2D shape.

• Click on the Modify tab:

• You are now in the Modify Menu.

•  Add an Extrude Modifier by choosing Extrude from the Modifiers drop-down. This should bring up the following menu:

• Increase the value of the Amount, and watch the results in the viewports.

• The Shape is extruded into a 3D object.

• Changing the amount of Segments increases the complexity of the mesh.

• Cap Start and Cap End cover the open ends of your new 3D object.

• Leave the Output set to Mesh.

Try creating some of the other preset shapes and extruding them.

You may notice that Text is one of the Shape options. You can use this to create 3D Text for animated logos etc. Simply choose Text, then under the Parameters rollout enter your text in the Text Field and click in a viewport. You can adjust all the settings after you've created the text.

Once you're happy with the text, just add an Extrude Modifier and Extrude it.