PROJECT COMPONENT: Rendering Splines as Polygons, considerations

This tutorial discusses why using the Render Splines as Polygons option is important for render speed (if spline based objects are used in the scene). It also discusses ways to optimize a spline based object for conversion to a polygon-based structure.
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Modeling, Texturing and Rendering 3D Metal Letters

This tutorial models a simple letter form using the spline extrude tool, with emphasis on controlling the bevel function. It then adjusts the UV map and applies a metal shader to it. The tutorial finally walks through the creation of an environment to render the letter in. This tutorial also shows how to use Instance Properties.
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