Key of a keyboard
 

How can i start modeling a "key" of a computer keyboard? Thank you, i tried using loft w/ two curves but i can't get it to bevel and round top corners...oh and how would you approach about making a keyboard model? curves, loft, etcc??

Thank you

maybe try using polygons...might be easier if you just scale a cube to the size you want and use the split polygon tool and extrude face tool...

Try a sub-d cube> The edges may be to round though.

Or...you could get the shape with polys then use the create poly tool around the edge, move edges/verticies, and smooth.

i would say subd's are a bit extravagent for just a key, the render time wud be a lot higher incomparison than a poly model

HI all
 

Thanks for the replies, actually i'm starting to make the key w/ a poly cube, but i don't know how to round the corners on the top only...any pointers? =)

Thanks again..

Here is a pix of the key , don't know how to round the top corners and convex the top face where the fingers touch the key .... :(

polygons are your friends!

to round it off you can select an edge and bevel it

to do the dip you can use the poly split too to split right down the middle, then grab those vertices and move them down to create a dip, it shud then become more apparent when you smooth it down

You could also create a nurbs curve in the outline shape of what you want, then just revolve it using 4 spans.

Then if the 4 vertical edges arent shrp enough, just ad isoparms where needed:)

Then you can convert it to whatever suits your working style:)

Here is a key I did in Subd a while back:)

here is the file:)

Thank you all, you guys have been a great help....i'll take a look at your file tonite ragecgi. Hopefully i can finish modeling this keyboard....how long do you guys usually take to model a complete keyboard? i know for sure....i'm a slow modeler...since i don't have much design background..
:)

Hi all, i'm back again, i redid it, but this times i'm using nurbs and curves, how can i attach the lid to the bottom? I've tried loft, and wasn't successful ... =(

I've tried stitching and didn't work either...

you can always convert to polys and combine :)