Geometry to simulate metal welds?

[Neoklassik]

metaballs maybe?

[wesware]

Consider doing a bevel in the intersection... but give it a slight vertical and horizontal ledge at the edges of the bevel. Then use displacement on these polys. You might want to slightly sink the thin edges of the bevel into the main model faces . If I didn't explain this well enough... let me know and I will post a file.

[fiveshorts]

Consider doing a bevel in the intersection... but give it a slight vertical and horizontal ledge at the edges of the bevel. Then use displacement on these polys. You might want to slightly sink the thin edges of the bevel into the main model faces . If I didn't explain this well enough... let me know and I will post a file.

Hmmm...thanks for the speedy reply. Not sure I even know how to do the first part successfully (the bevel at the intersection). If you really don't mind posting a file, I'd be in your debt :-) Many thanks.

[SeanL]

You can use a spline in a metaballs as suggested. Move the points around on the spline to make it less uniform.

Put the metaball in a HN...find an appropriate noise and place in the bump channel for the texture for just the 'weld'.

[SeanL]

This is using metaballs as someone else suggested. Needs some more tweaking:

[fiveshorts]

I love this forum! Instant realisation of desire or WHAT!

I tried the metaball approach and I'm very happy with it (attached)...

thanks everyone.

[aldog]

I love this forum! Instant realisation of desire or WHAT!

I tried the metaball approach and I'm very happy with it (attached)...

thanks everyone.

is it just me or does that look kinky?
...
...
perhaps it's just me.
bad alan

[duderender]

Great qustion, great response.

You may want to try the Sub-Poly Displement as well and paint your own displacement map to better represent the weld geometry given if its MIG, TIG etc. You've got more of a MIG type weld looking there. A TIG weld would be more challenging with the even rippling and such.

[fiveshorts]

OK Bad Alan, steady yourself... :-) No, it's nothing kinky. A small component from a piece of exercise gear, that's all... :rolleyes:

I have to confess I have no idea how to use SPD as yet... I've been so busy I haven't tackled that yet. Perhaps this is the time? I assume there are some great posts to read up on....

Thanks again all.

[aldog]

:DI'm sowwy Five.
:shrug:

Here are three good SPD threads
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=167372 (http://showthread.php?t=167372)
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=166497 (http://showthread.php?t=166497)
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.ph...73&page=1&pp=15 (http://showthread.php?t=166873&page=1&pp=15)

perhaps that will redeem me for my behavior?

[fiveshorts]

OK. So now you've not only redeemed yourself ;) but you've opened up a Pandora's Box of late night madness for me — I HAVE to explore this SPD, PDQ.

This is amazing. I new it was interesting, but I had no idea it was this cool.

Thanks.

[aldog]

Muahahaha!
He's fallen so easily into diabolical plan.
Before long I'll have millions of tiny Fives as my minions AND THE WORLD WILL BE MINE!
It's Genius I tell you Geniu.....wait a sec..*tap*tap*...is this thing on? hello!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Silverdog]

Fiveshorts,

Depending on how detailed you want the web; I often simply extrude a shape along a spline.

[WayneZacMP]

Fiveshorts,

Depending on how detailed you want the web; I often simply extrude a shape along a spline.

I'm curious how you created the spline where the 2 tubes intersect. Did you draw it manually, or is there a way to generate a spline that traces the intersection?

[Silverdog]

There may be a better/quicker way, but I drew this one manually. :) Kent

Also, so as not to create confusion; technique used was 'sweep nurbs' using a circle as
the shape.

[AdamT]

Quicker way might be to do a boolean (copy the objects for this) and run edge-to-spline on the intersection.

[Silverdog]

Hi Adam,

That sounds like a plan. Will have to try that at first opportunity. Manually laying in a spline can be tedious. Thanks! :thumbsup:

[Cartesius]

I'm curious how you created the spline where the 2 tubes intersect. Did you draw it manually, or is there a way to generate a spline that traces the intersection?

http://www.3d-meier.de/tut9/Bilder/Start.jpg

There are a couple of plugins by Jürgen Meier that will do this for you.

Site link >> http://www.3d-meier.de/
Plugins >> http://www.3d-meier.de/tut9/Seite0.html

/Anders

[Silverdog]

Thanks for the ref Cartsius. Unfortunately I don't speak German. Is certainly a nice effect.

Thinking out loud; I don't have v9 yet, but I wonder what could be done with SPD to model
a weld with a realistic puddle pattern in the surface? :shrug:

[RangTang]

Just Zpaint the seams using UV mapping and sub-displacement.

[jerm]

You might also look at the new plug Paul Everett just let out for free. I was playing with it and everything I painted looked like a weld. You can adjust the profile of it to have the right convex/concave, etc.

[fiveshorts]

Where does a guy go to get these plugins? I went to the German site as suggested, but could find nothing downloadable (even with my tiny amount of German comprehension...). And Mr Everett?

Many thanks.

[Silverdog]

Paul Everett: http://www.tools4d.com/:)

[fiveshorts]

http://www.3d-meier.de/tut9/Bilder/Start.jpg

There are a couple of plugins by Jürgen Meier that will do this for you.

/Anders

These plugins (which I've now found on his site) are astounding, but do you know how to get them to work? I'm trying to wade through the German, but to no avail...

Anyone?

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.