Many chapters adeptly demonstrate Rhino's power as a NURBS modeler (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines). NURBS is a computer modelling paradigm that makes it easy to build curved surfaces and organic shapes. There are chapters that go into detail in building shapes such as a dragonfly (based on a photographic template), a coffeepot with a lid and a cartoon-style boy character.

The most interesting chapter covers the process of modelling a human face based on a plaster casting. This chapter offers numerous photos documenting the process of creating the plaster mould from someone's face, filling it to get the cast and digitising it into Rhino using a digitising scribe.

The accompanying CD-ROM has all the models discussed in the book and a quasi-demo version of Rhino that has all features enabled ("quasi" because saving things from the program becomes disabled after the 15th time). Rhino NURBS 3D Modeling works well for new Rhino users and for artists new to computer modelling interested in learning how a dedicated NURBS modeler works. --Mike Caputo

Book Description
Rhino has been building a substantial install base over the past year and is poised to breakout as an extremely popular tool of choice for 3D modelers. New Riders wants to lock up this market quickly by capitalizing on a strategic partnership with the people who wrote the program- McNeel & Associates. Those who buy the program will receive a reference-based book; anyone wanting a tutorial-based book will be encouraged to pick this one up. Is that synergy or what? (And no other books are available yet, either; New Riders will own this market, at least for the time being.) The book takes the end user through the capabilities of this program using a tutorial approach. It moves from basic use of the program to advanced usage issues. Discussion is focused on step-by-step procedures, without long stretches of dry text to plod through. The book is designed to make it easy to learn what the program can really do, and is directed toward the widest range of users.

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