Tutorial 3: Pottery Wheel Bowl
Build a bowl by defining a 2D profile in the XZ plane (as a path), smoothing it with Interpolate Curve, then revolving 360° into a mesh for STL export. This is the same mental model as a pottery wheel or a Grasshopper revolve.
What you'll learn
- Line between two Vector3 input nodes as a simple profile
- Interpolate Curve (Catmull–Rom) for a smooth tool-ready outline
- Revolve around the Z axis and Output
Preview mesh
Prerequisites
- Comfort adding nodes and wiring; optional: read Node Sculptor docs on socket types
Step 1: Profile in XZ
Line + Vector3
The Line node expects two Vector3 endpoints. For a lathe, place points so X is radius from the axis and Z is height. Y = 0 keeps the profile in the XZ plane used by Revolve.
Step 1
Two Vector3 nodes and a Line
Add two Vector3 nodes (e.g. (8, 0, 0) and (32, 0, 18)) and a Line node. Wire their value → Line a and b. The Line path is your raw profile polyline.
Step 2: Smooth and revolve
Step 2
Interpolate Curve and Revolve
Add Interpolate Curve; set Subdivisions to 4 and leave Closed off for an open bowl rim. Connect Line path → path on interpolate. Add Revolve; wire interpolate path → profile. Set Angle ° to 360 and keep Axis (0, 0, 1). Connect Revolve mesh → Output Preview mesh and use Export mesh from the toolbar.
Node graph summary
| From | To | Sockets |
|---|---|---|
| Vector3 (×2) | Line | value → a / b |
| Line | Interpolate Curve | path → path |
| Interpolate Curve | Revolve | path → profile |
| Revolve | Output | mesh → Preview mesh |
Outcome
A watertight-style solid mesh (resolution set by Revolve segments and profile detail) ready for the slicer.
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Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
What’s Next
Tutorial 4: Crystal Ring — Polygon, Move, Array Polar, and Layer Stacker for a radial “crystal” ring.