Creating an organic mesh/web structure

mchizz

Hi There,

I'm currently in the final throws of my uni project and need some advice how to model an organic web like structure. I figured if i could create the line work then maybe i could convert it or add thickness but i would like to get it so it thickens at each node so it looks like each line is stretched from node to node. I have attached a quick sketch of how i picture the line work turning organic and i have also attached an image of a tree root structure that forms a living bridge which is possibly too complex and random to model but is the inspiration behind all this.

The Cooper Union building is a major precedent for my project and i have attached a couple of images to try and get across my point, although it is a far more rigid structure than i envisage creating.

The final mesh would be quite big, possibly 30 meters high, partly wrapping over and partly through an existing tower block and stretching out at the base. I have also attached an early concept model that might give you an idea of scale in which the mesh was drawn very quickly and is all straight lines just to get my point across to the tutors.

Any ideas on how you would do this or any advice on the best way to do it without killing my PC would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!!

Precedent

Simple Sketch

Early Project Concept

gilles

search here for lattice maker and voronoi

pilou

Scroll the pages!

jeff hammond

.

hmm.. how much time do you have til it's due?
here's the slow way:

randomly arrange a bunch of cones-

intersect them.. view from top (poor man's voronoi)

put some boxes at the intersections.

go to town and connect them all.. keep it random.. i used curvilot on a few of them with segments set to 2 so i could scale smaller in the middle

subdivide & smooth

i'd imagine there's a better way to get the underlying structure prior to subdividing but i wanted to try it out like this.. it's going to be a long process no matter what unless you can write a script to get some of this done automatically (which i imagine is possible with the right algorithms)..

might be quicker to just learn grasshopper/Tsplines though

good luck!

JQL

Brilliant one Jeff!

cotty

Nice Artisan example, Jeff! I've created a link in the examples topic...

mchizz

Wow, thanks for the response guys.

It is something I have searched for on this forum already but not really knowing what search terms would relate to this organic web, it was difficult for me to find anything.

I have experimented with lattice maker already but will definitely take a look at the Voronoi + Conic Curve plugin and let you know how i get on, no doubt will have more questions!!

Jeff thanks for your suggested workflow, massively appreciate it as it is pretty much what i aim to achieve, i will have a go and see how long it takes me although bit worried that the overall mesh i want to create would contain thousands of the equivalent model you have shown.

Thanks again!

JQL

mchizz, then I suggest you only design 3 or 4 and make them components and scale/skew them with fredo scale, connecting them and making all different yet only 3 or 4 instances.

pilou

Seems you can also use this free crazzy Plugin Manifold for Wings3D!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t3Ng27kzAk&list=PL8liErXtlMzc-CKedSY4uGMZctSXZFMOK