Bézier Curves

The Bézier curve is another way of representing smooth curves. Bézier curves are input with the command CURVEÞDesign:Input, but first the INPUT type has to be set to Bézier. When inputting a Bézier curve the curve will pass through all of the control points. Each control point has two handle points. These control the curvature at the point.

With the command CURVEÞDesign:Edit you may locally move the Bézier control points and handles, add new control points without changing the shape of the curve, define arcs and fillets, and further manipulate the curve shape.

Whether to use B-spline or Bézier curves is largely a matter of application and taste although most designers find B-spline curve more natural to use. B-spline curves have fewer points and allow for easier sketching, while Bézier curves give more control for detailed work. However, when designing a surface using the Build command, the projection curves must be B-spline curves. Thus, it is possible to do all your designs with B-spline curves, while Bézier modeling is not generally as applicable. When starting to learn DeskArtes, it may be best not to change the input type at all, and work just with B-spline curves. Bézier curves may be added to your repertoire later.