I can't believe you were actually nice enough to take the time (assuming here cause I won't be able to open this until i get home to Maya) to actually make me a nut file? I'm just really speechless. it may not seem like a big deal to you, but it was to me and probably the nicest thing anyone's done for me in a long time. Thanks man.LOL Im a noob still mate...after 18 months part time I have a LONG way to go. The only advantage I have SOMETIMES is Im a Surveyor by trade...so I use 2D CAD quite a lot and do a S**T load of digital terrain models...not much fun in those I can tell you.
Ok for a nut...simply use a poly cylinder..8 sides of course...and then give it 0 caps and extrude those in..then agin down until they meet and delete. Then merge the verts left over in the middle of the nut. Then bevel all edges EXCEPT those on the top and bottom face...2 segments for the bevel and then smooth...one nut...of course duplicate as needed.
Here is a file with history oon for you so you can see what I mean. I hardly use NURBS and curves...painful unless you are comfortable with them. Though in saying that they are useful to get a good shape then convert to poly...I prefer poly's as that's what Im used to at work.....
Keep up the good work mate...and yes we are all here to help...or throwe things at you LOL..I ask for food when people throw stuff...5 kids and all I can use the help LOL
Cheers bullet