Complex shape by splines.

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I'm quite new to modelisation and I 'm locked in a situation.

I currently work in achitecture and I have to model a basement. I got full 2D drawings and sections to do so.

Here is the previous version of the basement structure.

My task is to remodel this structure according to the new shape of the project, and getting rid of the whole lattice part.

I'm looking for a technique to create the poles following the 2D drawings.

Hers is where I am so far

I managed to create the complex roof, using a path constraint technique (then cross section and surface modifier) and now I need the poles.

I really dont know how to model them - I tried by creating a cone and modify it wit FFD modifier but that didnt gave me a clean result.

I hope my question is clear enough - excuse my poor english.

Thanks!

[miledrizk · Accepted solution]

Hi,

One possible approach:

1- create a temporary, continuous surface of your bridge, not sliced,

Something like in the photo below

2- Create the columns shapes, circles in your case I guess, place them below or above the surface,

Just remember that, if you place them above, for example, the surface polygons should have their

Faces normals pointing up, you can use the Flip in the Editable Poly to do that.

Now select the surface, go to Geometry, Compound Objects, ShapeMerge, and click the Pick Shape

Button now select the circles. The circles will be stamped on the surface, creating new polygons and edges.

ShapeMerge

3- Convert the Surface to Editable Poly, go to Edge sub-object level, select those edges created previously.

A quick way to do that is to select all the edges, then from the top viewport, press the Alt key and start

Dragging rectangles to remove from selection.

4-Still in the Edge mode, use Create Shape From Selection, to create a copy from the selected edges as

Separate object. Use the Linear option.

Create shapes from selection

5- Create a Copy of your newly created Spline, move it down, use "Select and Non-Uniform Scale",

And right-click the Z spinner to flatten your shapes

select and non-unifrom scale. Straight shapes

6-Since you already used the CrossSection and the Surface modifiers

I think you know how to continue. But remember if your circles are one single spline, you need to detach them,

Each shape should independent.

Separating Shapes

Now you can start attaching the splines that form a single column, One at a time.

You might need to use the Optimize Spline modifier before using the CrossSection modifier,

To create a smoother and cleaner flow of vertices in your shapes.

And you should get something like this

final result

One last thing, in the Surface modifier, if you see some gaps, try increasing the Threshold Value a little,

Also, you might need to decrease the Steps value, maybe to 0 to get a smoother shape.

[Anonymous]

Hey,

Thanks for your reply it was helpful,

I decided to follow your approach till the end then I go back to the stamp phase.

I used the imprint cicles at the top of the columns as reference then I create simple cones beneath.

I apply a FFD modifier to the cone and force the top shape to match the imprint circle, making sure I didnt move the control points on any axis but Z to keep harmonious proportions, then turbosmoothing it a bit.

Here is the result,

Thanks again.

[miledrizk]

It looks good 🙂

Good luck with your project!