How to model beams and wires?

[tml]

What is the best (from a 3D Warehouse point of view) way to model relatively simple structures that consist of metal beams and tight (i.e. essentially straight) wires?

Like the one here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.621706,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&ll=60.228056,25.027853&spn=0.00399,0.009645&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=60.22798,25.027804&panoid=lsLi3kWn4-FRZ5BPyDk7Zw&cbp=12,136.74,,0,-4.21

I can think of three ways: model each beam and wire as a couple of really narrow faces (suitably textured), or extrude a small rectangle along them (very small one for the wires), or (mostly empty) alpha textures for each plane that contains wires, and for the faces that the beams form.

I would tend to think the first alternative is the best? The second one sounds it could be expensive, and in the last one the wires then disappear if you look at them edge-on.

[mitcorb]

If the wires are multistranded twisted cable, it has been said that a smooth cylindrical shape textured with a cable image would be better to keep the file small.
Otherwise, do a search on twisted rope or look at TaffGoch models in Google Warehouse.

The final result may depend on whether the scene is to be viewed in very closeup or as in the scene you provided in your link.
Just my recollection of several threads, ideas I have seen in this Forum.

[Gaieus]

You can even leave the wires as standalone edges (delete the faces if they create one) as GE (if you intend to export it there) will display those.

This would only cause headaches if you mean to render it in some PR rendering application.