lofting with 3 splines in 3 dimensions, possible?

[remainz]

HI

I have 3 scientific waveforms, made into splines ,  from X,Y and Z data. Basically 3 long wiggly lines. 

I wish to visualise the data by modulating a spheres surface in 3 dimensions so that the X data creates wave on the surface of the sphere running along the x-axis , the Y data along the Y axis and the Z along the Z axis. All the data (splines) will interfere and modulate with each other across the surface.

Please let me know if this does not make sense.

I have spent a couple of days looking at nurbs and lofting but cannot even get close to this. They all only allow splines in 2 dimensions to interact and nurbs cannot cope with the data volume anyway.

I would love help in knowing if this is at all possible and where I should look next.

thanks joe remainz 

ps i can obviously extrude the 1d data or lathe the data but each only makes 1 or 2d surface interaction. The attatched pic is each one of the data splines made into a sphere using a 180 bend and lathe. This isnt exactly how id ideally have it. I need all three joined into one shape.  

[Anonymous]

I've never used it before, but I wonder if the surface modifier would do it for you. Kind of don't think so. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Dean

[blakestone]

I am confused 😞

[remainz]

yes me too, thanks for reading.

waves saved in 3 splines running

left to right X

front back Y

bottom top Z

Each interacting with the surface of a sphere in their own direction

[Anonymous]

Looking at the attached image, you may think some kind of displacement would do it. But displacement comes from maps, you would have to make maps from your splines. That could be done by extruding them to a surface and rendering a height map.

A way of getting a similar effect from the splines is to make a sphere from the spline.

Bend the spline 180deg to make it an arc shape, move the pivot to the arc centre and lathe it into a sphere.

[blakestone]

What is wrong with your example attachment, looks like you've nailed it !?

[blakestone]

Like you've already tried I've used the Bend modifier 180 degrees and then used Lathe 360 degrees.

[remainz]

hi thanks for looking

i need all 3 three splines in 3 axis applied to one sphere/surface. Ending with one sphere that has waves modulating in 3 directions across the surface. You have done one axis only.

[remainz]

a displacement map sounds like a good idea. I can try to composite each axis as a render in photoshop but I dont yet know how to make a spherical displacement map! Sounds hard

[blakestone]

do you have an example of what it should look like finished?

[Anonymous]

To render the displacement map, try extruding a spline, so it has a surface. Apply a material with a self illuminated gradient mapped to the side to create a height map. You don't want any lighting to render it, so make a light and turn it off.

[remainz]

It will be a cross between the first two pics  maybe creating something like the third.

[remainz]

hi

Ive got a good idea how to make the height map its just making a "spherical" displacment map that has the 3 axis oriented correctly onto it that im confused about.

[remainz]

i will try a composit map of the three height maps as the displacment map.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Each map will need a unique UV channel. Three spherical UVW Maps aligned on X, Y & Z.

You could try either composite the maps, or apply three Displace modifiers.

[PROH]

Hi. Just an idea on how to make a spherical displacement map.
1) Make a sphere from your spline (as you already did)
2) Make a material were "falloff" shifts the color based on distance
3) Render it with the "Panorama Exporter" utility

[remainz]

success thanks a lot samab