Curved structure

lapx · 23 May 2012, 15:05

I remember a thread discussing how to make a structure similar to this. can someone help on how to make a simple form where roof transitions to the columns. It seems curviloft could do something like this. I am just not sure how to go about doing.

lapx · 23 May 2012, 20:13

Here is a sketch of the desired structure.

PGAV16383 - Copy.pdf

pilou · 23 May 2012, 23:04

Take a look to Ferrari
It's tensile structures

You can also take a look to Extrude tools by Tig

Or this for put any profile!
(take a very tiny face ! )

pilou · 24 May 2012, 00:22

So seems you must blend tensiles structures and wood structures
A not very simple thing

lapx · 24 May 2012, 14:50

Thanks Pilou. Extrude tools works fine for 1 column but doing it with two or more columns is the issue. Resolving multiple columns into a free flowing surface is tricky if not impossible with sketchup. I looking to do it like the extrude lattice tool. All resolving into one mesh. Maybe the way to do it may be to use vertex tools which may be hard to be precise.

brookefox · 24 May 2012, 16:26

It is true that the skinning, lofting etc. tools have problems where they cannot tell which points to triangulate/mesh because there are too many possibilities and so the job must be broken down in to pieces, which also has other advantages: ease of replication, componentization, etc.. Why not post a pic or a model or a piece of one? Perhaps someone can help resolve your issues.

lapx · 24 May 2012, 19:47

Pilou, Thats actually the thread I was looking for when thinking about this problem.

Brookefox, see the pdf attached above in previous post. The edge of the roof on 4 sides are wavy and unequal.
The columns are tilted in different directions and are of different heights. I may have to resort to subdivide and smooth.
But will this make a good triangulated mesh is the questions using subdivide.

pilou · 24 May 2012, 20:28

Some ideas here

brookefox · 24 May 2012, 22:03

Here's how to make it easier on us:

I don't understand if the problem is that the reality is too hard to model or if it is that the reality is not properly modeled or conceived. Is that valid or sensible?

In reality, if the edges of the roof on 4 sides are wavy and unequal and the columns are tilted in different directions and are of different heights, that would seem 'modelable' (by Pilou). If you want things to be unique then you must model them that way; if you want to be very particular about how they are unique then you may not be able to replicate and distort one to make the several.

You may want to approximate what you are looking for with discrete entities that you can then provide the morphing connector bits and maybe throw a blanket over the whole thing (still in pieces). You might try the vacuum-bagger or vacu-form plugins, but I am unaware of a release date.

I think you can do what you want with SU, though it will be more rigorous than clay or some digital approximation of same. I hope you keep us posted.

pilou · 24 May 2012, 22:30

It's a building that love Jeff Hammond as wood carpenter!

In theory if you give the wavy perimeter, some horizontal sections of the columns
the sand box "from contour" can build a surface in one move : alas this one is not very fluid in any case

Maybe Cuvyloft by Fredo6 can make something but its a "big program" itself so must be learnt in deepth !