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Definitions:

NURBS (Brep) Object - is a new object introduced by Power NURBS which contains a boundary representation that utilizes NURBS surfaces. This form of representation is typically used in CAD/CAM/CAE systems.
Sketch Object - one of several Power NURBS objects which enable the user to create and edit a single curve or a connected network of curves.
Shape - a MAX term which refers to a set of objects which define curves in space or on a plane.

Power NURBS is a comprehensive and powerful surface and solids modeling package. Note that Power NURBS Pro also includes all of the functionality of Power Solids. The following chart for a list of the functionality in Power NURBS, Power Solids and Power Translators. The Top Level Quick Help is here.

Tool:	Description:
NURBS Brep Import	Import NURBS Brep objects into 3ds max using IGES, STEP, SAT and Rhino formats. Note direct Importing of CATIA, UG, and SolidWorks files available separately.
NURBS Brep Export	Export NURBS Brep objects into IGES, STEP, SAT and Rhino formats. Bring your Power Solids objects into your favorite CAD system or send it to manufacturing.
Pwr_Join	Combines one or more NURBS Brep objects and MAX objects into a single NURBS object with optional sewing, merging or intersecting.
Pwr_Assembly	Create an assembly representation with multiple Power NURBS and MAX objects with shared references. Note, Pwr_Assembly are also optionally created during Import of Assemblies
Pwr_NURBS	Edit the parameters (display tolerances) of multiple selected Power NURBS objects using a single operation.
Pwr_EditNRB	Many of similar functions to EditableMesh using a NURBS object. It includes: Hide, UnHide, Delete Faces, Flip Normals, Unify Normals, Intersection, Attach, Detach, etc. Imported solids and surfaces create Pwr_EditNRB objects.
Pwr_Sketch	Power NURBS/Solids introduces a new intelligent sketching tool that includes snapping and intelligent inferencing to other geometry. The sketching command includes easy to use continuity / tangency controls, and mirrored creation to facilitate your curve definitions. Sketches maintain their connectivity under editing of Edges and Vertices.
Pwr_EditSkt	Collapses 3ds max shapes and other Sketches into an Editable Sketch object which has control point editing of curves.
Pwr_FaceSkt	Sketcher which automatically snaps and draws on faces of NURBS Brep objects.
Pwr_Boolean	Combines NURBS objects and MAX objects using Boolean Union, Intersection, Difference, and Merge. Works on solids, surfaces and 2-D closed curves.
Pwr_Fillet	Fillets a NURBS oject by selecting edges or faces. Includes: smooth corners between fillets; variable radius fillets; chamfer, circular and G2 & G3 blended fillets
Pwr_Shell	Creates an offset or a thin shelled object from a solid or open shell. Can also be used to create a solid from a surface.
Pwr_Extrude	Creates a NURBS object solid or surface by extruding one or more MAX shapes or sketch curves.
Pwr_Revolve	Creates a NURBS object by revolving one or more MAX shapes or sketch curves about an axis.
Pwr_Sweep	Creates a NURBS object by sweeping a shape/sketch along a path.
Pwr_Skin	Creates a NURBS object by skinning multiple shapes/sketches.
Pwr_Swung	Creates a NURBS object by rotating a shapes/sketchs along a path curve.
Pwr_Pipe	Creates a NURBS object by sweeping a circle along a path.
Pwr_Planar	Creates a NURBS object from a set of planar curves which for mone or more closed loops.
Pwr_2D_Bool	This is a sketch object which performs Planar Boolean operations between closed planar sketches.
Pwr_Bevel	Creates a Bevel of various types around the edge of a surface. This tool can be used to produce a nice rounded edges on sheet metal parts like those found on automobiles.
Pwr_Blend	Creates a blended surface between multiple curves and surface edges. Power NURBS provides innovative blending for constructing smooth blends between surfaces / solids; you can also cap the ends of surfaces to close them off. Power Solids provides unique control of tangency and curvature at all blending curves; it also provides optimized blending to produce surfaces with optimal curvature properties.
Pwr_BlndCrv	Construct a 3-D blend curve which is tangent to either existing surfaces or curves.
Pwr_CmpSkt	The Composite Sketch object composes existing curves and edges into a sketching environment, while adding tangency control.
Pwr_CrnrBlnd	Creates a corner blend or n-sided blend between multiple curves or edges. With Power NURBS, you can blend between multiple curves in single blend; you can also cap the ends of surfaces to close off the open ended surfaces.
Pwr_Cutter	Cut or split up an object into multiple pieces. Can be used for sectioning also. PwrCutter allows you to perform multiple Boolean operations with a single cutter shape (like a cookie cutter would do). It also supports Boolean operations on groups of objects.
Pwr_Detailer	Power NURBS powerful detailer tool for applying shapes (holes, bosses, etc.) to surfaces / solids. Those applied details can even have fillets applied to them. The Power NURBS detailer is associated to your model so that the object updates when you edit the surface that a detail feature is applied to. See some examples here.
Pwr_FaceEdit	Replaces a face on a BrepObject with another selected surface.
Pwr_HelixSwp	Sweep a shape around a rail curve to create a helix or coil. The helix shape can also include non-uniform sweeping so that the helix doesn't require a constant radius.
Pwr_IsoCurve	Create Iso-parameteric curves on a selected surface.
Pwr_OffSkt	Create sketch that is offset from another sketch along that sketches tangent field.
Pwr_Offset	Fast way to create offset surfaces for each surface in the original object. Note that this tool does not check for intersections and it does not fill gaps between non-tangent surfaces. Use the Pwr_Shell if you need that functionality.
Pwr_Project	Create a curve which is the projection of of a curve onto a NURBS surface and capture the tangency information.
Pwr_RailSwp	Sweep one or more shapes constrained by 1, 2 or multiple rails. This command allows you to utilize tangency controls along the rails giving greater control over surface transitions.
Pwr_SrfFillet	Creates a fillet between 2 surfaces. Power NURBS surface filleting supports variable radius fillets, and powerful trimming control to allow you to get the exact fillet that you desire.
Pwr_Surface	Grouping command for surfaces - allows you to apply surface parameters to multiple surfaces. For example, you can apply class A tolerance controls to multiple surfaces simultaneously. Power NURBS creates higher order class A surfaces which provide a more aesthetic representation (and therefore superior images). The class A surface provides a better reflective representation; it interacts with the surrounding environment (i.e. lighting, reflections, etc.) in a superior manner. The end result is that you will get beautiful images and higher quality renderings.
Pwr_Trim	The trim tool is a powerful tool that trims, splits, offsets and fills surface to enable the user to create very complex surface features. The Trim tool allows trimming with curves near the surface, with projected curves and with other surfaces. See some Trimming examples here.
Pwr_XCurve	Creates a sketch curve between 2 intersecting surfaces or 2 selected curves which are on orthogonal planes.
Pwr_Rectangle	Creates different types of rectangle and optionally blend or fillet the corners. It allows the user to crete the following types of Rectangle: 4 Lines, 4 NURBS, SIngle Bezier.
Pwr_Circle	Creates different types of circles. It allows user to create the following types: sketch circle with center and point on radius; single smooth bezier through 3 or more points; C1 Bezier
Pwr_Plane	Creates a power plane primitive which consists of a rail sweep and a spline cage which can be edited to change the shape of the plane.
Pwr_Box	Creates a power box primitive which consists of 6 rail sweeps and a spline cage which can be edited to morph the Box into different freeform shapes.
Pwr_Cylinder	Creates a power cylinder primitive which consists of 3 (closed cylinder) or 5 (sliced cylinder) rail sweeps and a spline cage which can be edited to morph the cylinder into different freeform shapes.
Pwr_Sphere	Creates a power sphere primitive which consists of 1 (closed sphere) or 3 (sliced sphere) rail sweeps and a spline cage which can be edited to morph the sphere into different freeform shapes.
Pwr_Tube	Creeates a power tube primitive which can be used to create a newwork of closed or hollow tubes. This tool is useful for modeling shapes like veins or tree branches.
Common Panels:	Description:
Tangency Parameters	1) Control tangency settings 2) Control morph settings
Curve Fairing	1) Curve Trimming 2) Reverse curve direction 3) Curve reconstruction
CShape Query	1) Display curve analysis data 2) Change marker display options
CShape Viewport	1) Change CShape curve display options 2) Change curvature display option
Operator Parameters	1) Selection of display of Result, All or selected Sub-Objects 2) List box for selecting Sub-Object Operands 3) Extract and Re-Order Operands 4) Move, Rotate and Scale Operands and see result updated
Face Display Parameters	1) Changes Material ID of selected faces 2) Allows dynamic modification of Tiling, Scale and Rotation angle of mapping parameters for selected face
Rending Approximation	1) Render Mesh Type: View Dep., Size Dep., Viewport Mesh 2) Set Render Mesh Creation Tolerances 3) Use "Draft", "Good" or "Production" defaults for Mesh
Offset Parameters	1) Automatic Offsetting using predefined features of BrepObject 2) End capping
Viewport Display Settings	1) Choose display type: Iso-Curve & Mesh, Mesh Only, Iso-Curve Only 2) Display Curves at Surface Knots 3) Create a Quadrilateral Mesh suitable for Sub-D (Mesh Smooth and conversion to Editable Poly) 4) Select Iso-Curve display parameters 5) Set Viewport Mesh Creation Tolerances 6) Use "Coarse", "Medium" or "Fine" defaults for Mesh
BrepObject Query	1) Extracts selected faces to new BrepObject 2) Extracts selected curves into NURBS curves 3) Extracts selected faces into NURBS surfaces 4) Displays Current Version Numbers 5) Flattens hierarchy by converting All Selected NURBS objects into Editable_NURBS object
Power Surface Parameters	1) Modify the Surface Construct Type (Number of Curves, Addaptive, Use Rail Knots, etc.) 2) Modify Settings for Surface Construction 3) Set Step Back Blending Parameters 4) Set Surface Trim and Extension 5) Sub-Object Mode "UVTrimming" allows dynamic trim and modification of trim control points.

Tool Chart for Power NURBS Pro, Power NURBS Surfacing, Power NURBS Solids & Power Translators

The following chart shows the differences between Power NURBS Pro, Power NURBS Surfacing, and Power NURBS Solids, and Power Translators.

Tool:	Power NURBS Pro	Power NURBS Surfacing	Power NURBS Solids	Power Translators
NURBS Brep Import				x
NURBS Brep Export	X	X	X	X
Pwr_Join	X	X	X	X
Pwr_Assembly	X	X	X	X
Pwr_NURBS	X	X	X	X
Pwr_EditNRB	X	X	X	X
Pwr_Sketch	X	X	X
Pwr_EditSkt	X	X	X
Pwr_FaceSkt	X	X	X
Pwr_Boolean	X		X
Pwr_Fillet	X		X
Pwr_Shell	X		X
Pwr_Extrusion	X	X	X
Pwr_Revolve	X	X	X
Pwr_Sweep	X		X
Pwr_Skin	X		X
Pwr_Swung	X		X
Pwr_Pipe	X		X
Pwr_Planar	X	X	X
Pwr_2D_Bool	X	X	X
Pwr_Bevel	X	X
Pwr_Blend	X	X
Pwr_BlndCrv	X	X
Pwr_CmpSkt	X	X	X
Pwr_CrnrBlnd	X	X
Pwr_Cutter	X			X
Pwr_Detailer	X	X
Pwr_FaceEdit	X	X
Pwr_HelixSwp	X	X
Pwr_IsoCurve	X	X
Pwr_OffSkt	X	X
Pwr_Project	X	X
Pwr_RailSwp	X	X
Pwr_SrfFillet	X	X
Pwr_Surface	X	X
Pwr_Trim	X	X
Pwr_XCurve	X	X
Pwr_Rectangle	X	X
Pwr_Circle	X	X
Pwr_Plane	X	X
Pwr_Box	X	X
Pwr_Cylinder	X	X
Pwr_Sphere	X	X
Pwr_Tube	X	X
Pwr_SrfTools	X	X
Pwr_Offset	X	X

Renderer's

Power NURBS flexible tessellation enables users to automatically customize the rendering meshes for a particular rendering engine. The Radiosity algorithms in MAX 5 and VIZ work best with smaller uniformly shaped triangles. In Power NURBS you can specify a maximum edge length in the rendering tessellation to prevent long skinny triangles on large planar faces typically used used to model floors and walls.

Bike modeled entirely with Power NURBS and rendered with V-Ray from the Chaosgroup. The original rendering was done at 10,000 by 10,000 pixels and rendered using 20 machines with V-Ray's distributive rendering.

The ability to adjust the chord height in view space enables the rendering engines to produce images of amazing quality with exceptionally smooth looking surfaces. Most of the images in the gallery were produced with a chord height of 1/2 pixel. This is very important for animation where polygonal artifacts will become apparent when objects move and when the camera zooms in for a close view. Having the appropriate mesh density is also very important when doing ray tracing on reflective surfaces.

Power Solids produces exceptional images the Chaosgroup's V-Ray renderer, SplutterFish's Brazil Renderer and Cebas' Final Render.

NPOWER Software - Advanced Modeling Plugins for 3DSMAX and RHINO