Creating a net

d_say · 9 Aug 2011, 23:33

Hey everyone,

Well for one of my projects i need to create a net in sketchup.
I have a cad file with the lines marked out of how the net looks but i need to add in the sag and the thickness of the lines. I thought i could do this by using the arc tool and then create tube/pipe along path and it worked but i cannot get the correct sag on the lines. the whole net needs a uniform sag in the middle as all lines are connected to each other.

I thought i might have been able to use FFD if i grouped everything together and pulled on the bottom centre point however i cannot seem to get FFD to work. i have tried with each line in a group and then all lines placed within the same group and also everything exploded and placed within one group (if that makes sense...)

Was wondering if anyone knows of an easier way to make a net or do i have to draw the sag and lines individually with say the biezer tool?

I dont have much time at the moment so sorry if this post seems a bit rushed

Cheers,
Deano

Rich O Brien · 9 Aug 2011, 23:36

Can you post a .skp?

It should be possible with FFD. If not that you could use TIG's Lattice tool in Extrusion Toolset

d_say · 9 Aug 2011, 23:49

Yeah i assumed it would be, Just picture a ball sitting on a net and thats how we need the sag to look.

I have the extrude by rails but have no idea how it works...?

i should be able to post a skp file, will just have to check with the job manager, sucks that the majority of my projects and subjected to confidentiality

EDIT:
OK did a quick search and got some guideliens of how it works. Pretty much it does what i need it to however i need to refine it a bit more. I have about 8 nets in total and they are not 'normal' nets (grid style) one of them is but the others are a bit different.
Will play around with it a bit more however

Rich O Brien · 10 Aug 2011, 00:13

Looks like this example is useless for you but i'll post it anyway in case others are wondering...

302 Found

(www.screenr.com)

d_say · 16 Aug 2011, 23:06

sucks that work likes to disable almost all video on the internet, makes it hard to look up a tutorial.

well we have another person who is working on these nets and she already has some of them within 3ds and she said its easier to manipulate within there. so she will be doing some edits and then i will be doing the final composition in SU and photoshop.

still racking my brain as to the best way to do these nets just for general knowledge though.

Rich O Brien · 16 Aug 2011, 23:08

A pic would help