Assignment #5: Modeling Using Curves (Surfboard Fin)

The fifth assignment was to create a model using curves. I used the image below as a reference to re-create the basic curved shape and structure of a surfboard fin. I used the lofting, planar, and extrusion techniques to create the curved surface of the fin. I then molded a NURBS cube to create the fiberglass part of the fin that gets inserted into the board. I then mapped curves to the surface and used the trim tool to hollow out sections on the bottom of the fin so it would fit into a board. I then created the fiberglass texture by creating a bump map with the cloth texture and changing the attributes to give a fiberglass effect. The top of the fin was then textured to represent carbon fiber. Below is a screenshot of the reference, design process, and a photo from the final render.

This image was used as a reference to create my 3D fin model

A screenshot from the animation process (after creating curves)

An image of the final render