Hi everybody, I am coming to you with a general question: how to improve the quality of my models when following the procedure Adobe Illustrator export to Amapi 7 export to Carrara. Attached you find three images depicting the three typical stages. The purpose of the operation would be for instance to import a logotype into Amapi, work on it in 3d and then bring it to Carrara for rendering or animation. How can I get rid of the straight subdivisions from Amapi? Subdividing in Carrara doesn't produce satisfying results and smoothing in Amapi is totally changing the shape. I guess the problem could be avoided in an early stage or there might be some trick to make the curves nice and smooth without losing detail on the edges. Any input would be really appreciated. Thank you all. Johannes

Johannes, This is a good object for the Spline Modeler. Import the .ai path directly into the modeler and extrude as required. From you images it looks like you want camfered edges. This can be done in C2 by creating a slightly inset .ai path and using it as a second cross section adjusting the splines on the envelope as required. If you want to use the Amapi capability for camfering, you can convert the spline model into a mesh and export for import to Amapi. This process is not required in Carrara 3 since it has some beveling tools in the Spline Model room. Mark

Thanks for the good input. I'll try both ways. I didn't think of importing the .ai path directly into the spline modeler. You were right, I did want to apply some chamfers to the model in Amapi. J

I tried to convert the spline model into a mesh (Vertex modeler). The result was not so nice since the roundness got lost and the triangular facets that Carrara created were pretty messed up and then Amapi didn't manage to create chamfers. What's the best format to export things from Carrara to Amapi, anyway? Johannes

Johannes, There are two things here. 1) To export a spline model into Amapi you'll have the best luck with 3D Studio (.3ds) or Wavefront (.obj) However, first make sure that you increase the resolution of the spline model by choosing from the pull down menu: Geometery>Surface Fidelity>"pick a percentage of 300 or greater" 2) I may not of been clear in my earlier post about how to create chamfers in C2. The image above uses two .ai paths - the original one and one that had the Path>Inset>"-.1">Corners rounded, done to it in illustrator. On import the orginal path will need to be aligned manually since the shape centers on the cross section plane and not the preceeding cross section shape. The bevel path feature is now automated in C3 so that takes quite a little work out of it. Hope this helps. Mark

Thank you, Mark. I'll try it out. J