Some help needed...

Hi everyone, first of all I'd like to introduce myself as I'm new to the forum.

I'm banzai_biatch, I'm studying IT with Animation at the University of the West of Scotland.

Last semester we studied modelling for 3D animation, and I have a test/exam next week. Only thing is... my lecturer's notes aren't great.

He's gave us examples of questions that will come up, and the one I'm having problems with is the following -


What are metaballs? Explain with diagrams how metaballs work
and how they differ from normal modelling techniques.

I can describe what they are, but I'd like someone to elaborate on this, because its a 10 mark question.. and he's not given alot of info.

Any input is appreciated, I'm more a 2D buff than 3D :p

Thanks :) and can I just say that this forum was a GREAT find :D

(Ps I would go to the uni library, but the uni's been closed for the holidays :()

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaballs
Wikipedia is always a great site to start with your inquiries.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../Metaballs.png
source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Metaballs.png

1. two positive metaballs melt
2. one negative metaball push a hole into a positive metaball


Regards,
Remi

Thanks for the quick reply. The only reason I didn't check wikipedia is because we're taught not to use it (due to the likelyness of content being incorrect)

Those pictures help alot though, the ones my lecturer had weren't clear at all.

Thanks again :)