bootcamp: moi
MOI is a pure 3D NURBS modelling application that is a great addition to any CG artist’s workflow
Discover this excellent modelling application
One of the more tedious aspects of moving between 3D applications is learning where all the modelling commands are. The issue is that there is not a consistent modelling toolset across any of the applications. This gets in the way of creation, and is even worse for new 3D artists trying to decide if they should use polygon modelling or NURBS.
As many 3D applications concentrate on subdivision modelling, it’s good to have an independent solution for NURBS that can integrate with a variety of 3D packages.
And that’s where MOI comes in! MOI (Moment of Inspiration) is a purebred 3D NURBS modelling application which, as its name suggests, concentrates on excelling at the core task of creating 3D models as quickly and as cleanly as possible.
The MOI workflow allows the artist to use NURBS to easily build up models from splines, perform complex Boolean union and subtraction tasks with 3D and 2D shapes, and then finally convert that using Moi’s unique export tools to be ready for working with in other applications.
Using NURBS is a liberating experience in 3D creation as it feels much more like a vector package like Adobe Illustrator, and once a basic shape or object has been created it can be copied many times with barely any noticeable slow-down of functionality, even on slower or older computers.
MOI also excels at working with CAD data, which is a constant thorn in the side for many 3D artists. MOI allows the artist to preview the polygon topology for a model, and change it on the fly before it is exported to another application for texturing or animation.
Let’s take a quick look at how to work in MOI. The highly anticipated version 4 is due to launch in early 2019, with full 64-bit support, better macos compatibility and many other great improvements.
01 Set up MOI
When working with MOI for the first time, make sure to set up the scene with units that are appropriate for the object in question. Press the Options gear at the bottom of the screen to bring up the Options palette. Under the General tab select the Unit System and choose the desired units. Press the Unit Options button to set the default unit system. The grid appearance and snapping preferences can also be set in the Options.
02 Create An object
Objects in MOI are created from elements chosen from the Draw Curve and Draw Solid options on the right of the screen. While there may only appear to be a few tools, those with a white dot have more options. When creating an object like a sphere for example, use one click to dictate the centre point and then either drag or use the dialog box at the very top right of the screen to input a radius.
03 Make Complex Shapes
Creating more complex shapes in MOI is a simple process. With a sweep for example, draw the profile shape and then the rail or path shape, using the Draw Curve tools for both. Select the profile and choose the Sweep option, then select the rail. Using the Sweep palette that appears, options for choosing tapers or ‘Pointy Ends’ as MOI calls them are available. Even after Done has been pressed the rail profile can be adjusted.
04 use booleans
MOI has great support for Boolean processes, allowing complex shapes to be made from NURBS primitives very quickly. One of the stand-out features of MOI compared to many subdivision Boolean processes is that it can work with curves as Boolean cutters. The Boolean Union tool is useful for merging objects to create edges that would be near impossible to create in other software as quickly.
05 Fillet edges
When Boolean processes have been modelled, the Fillet tool is a great way of adding extra detail to a model. Select the relevant edges then click the Fillet tool in the bottom Construct menu. The yellow highlighting makes it easy to ‘see-through’ the model for any edges that need to be selected. You can choose a radius by simply entering a desired value in the Pick Fillet Radius option in the top right of the screen.
06 Work With CAD Models
MOI is a game-changer for dealing with CAD data as it can import many of the standard CAD drawing types, such as IGES, STP and SAT. This makes it a great way for checking models, such as this ‘FANUC transfer robot device’ by Nguyen Đang Vinh from GRABCAD. The model can then be exported to a polygon model using Moi’s comprehensive polygon preview system, which makes it easy to see how the NURBS will translate into a polygon mesh.