2012

IMPORTANT Switching the display from control vertices to fit points automatically
changes the selected spline to degree 3. Splines originally created using
higher-degree equations will likely change shape as a result.
Create Splines Using Control Vertices
When you create splines using control vertices, the points you specify display
temporary lines between them, forming a control polygon that determines
the shape of the spline.
The advantage of changing the shape of a spline using control vertices is the
fine control this method provides. With this method, you can also specify
lower or higher degree polynomials, including degree 1 (linear), degree 2
(quadratic), degree 3 (cubic), and so on up to degree 10.
Create Splines Using Fit Points
When you create splines using fit points, the resulting curve passes through
the specified points, and is influenced by the spacing of mathematical knots
in the curve.
You can choose the spacing of these knots with the knot parameterization
option, which will result in different curves as shown in the example.
NOTE There is no best choice for knot parameterization for all cases. The chord
length parameterization is commonly used, and the square root (centripetal)
parameterization often produces better curves depending on the data set.
Draw Splines | 725