Dibbers

Hi guys

I have a project coming up whic requires me to model Tensile Fabric structures. Any ideas as to the best approach to model the fabric?

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STRAT

i usually use surface tools.

Dibbers

Yeah, I've just been experimenting with this. 5 sided curved shape at the bottom, a circle at the top and an inbetween shape in the middle. Add a cross section and surface modifiers.

Is this what you mean?

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STRAT

nope. wasn't thinking of cross section method. more the splining method.

literally building up the shape in splines and letting the ST modifier do the rest. i've done this a few times before and i really got that nice stretched-fabric-over-a-frame effect.

3dp

i'd also give nurbs a mention
parametric is built in so as long as the designer has it right the rest will be a breeze
having said that lofting maybe also suitable

basically whatever you'll need a spline cage as a start

Dibbers

Nurbs!...I don't go there. I think Spline cage is probably the answer for me.

__________________
Hard boiled eggs and nuts....Mm!
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tcorbett

LOL. I used to be that way, but finally saw the light. NURBS may take a some serious getting used to, and certainly the word "Rational" appears to be a misnomer. Once you get the basic concepts down, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. They should be a good fit for your project.

STRAT

must admit i've never used viz/max NURBS, purely because i've never needed too, but i do use it in C4D occationally these days.

they get a shed load of bad press, and i was always on the understanding that viz/max NURBS are crap, unstable and generally a pile of pants to use. you obviously dont find this the case. what's your opinion on viz NURBS then? only it certainly wouldnt suprise me if they're allot more stable and usable than max's.

pcote4

I had a tent project like this some time ago and I used the demo version of "Patterner" (http://www.patterner.co.uk/). The demo version has dfx export disabled, but vrml export worked. I also used Rhino for some forms.

tcorbett

I've only ever used NURBS in VIZ, so I don't know how it's use of them stacks up against other applications. I would imagine that MAX & VIZ share a similar functionality.

As I said, they certainly are not easy, at least in VIZ. It is still "touch-and-go" for me depending on the circumstance. However I found that once you get the hang of the quirks, they become invaluable, especially interior renderings. I constantly use them for smooth, non-linear surfaces such as curtains & drapes, some pieces of furniture, beds & pillows, glassware, vaulted ceilings, etc. I have found it much easier to simulate realistic effects with these than with polygon modeling.

Again, there is probably a better product out there for NURBS (I have been hearing great things about MAYA and RHINO) but i have not had the opportunity to work with these yet.