Multiple Vortex Space frame Help.

pav_3j · 17 Nov 2009, 19:54

I'm hoping somebody out there can help me...

I'm trying to creat a 'mushroom' shape vortex space frame in sketchup.

I can do it quite simply with one vortex, as all i do is run TIG's wicked lathe tool on a modified 'c' shape, delete the faces, and then run Didier's just a wicked lines to tubes ruby. Job done.

The problem is when i want to do more than one vortex, i just cant see how i can do it neatly.
I've tried to draw the vortex, intersect with a cube and then fit together, and this works great, but the lines i need to run lines to tubes dont match up and it looks silly.

I've tried using SDS on a cylinder between two planes, and even on 4 iterations with a high segment count i get weird bumps, and of course no ability to easily convert the lines to tubes.

Ive also tried using the sandbox tools, but this looks even sillier!

if anyone has any ideas i'd be really grateful, unfortunately it is too late to change my design (pin up is in a few days) and i'd quite like to find a way of doing it.

Ive attached some images so you can better understand the mess i have gotten myself into.

the inspiration that has caused all this headache...

thank you in anticipation.

yours in sketchuping

pav

JamesD · 17 Nov 2009, 20:31

Have you tried soap skin bubble?

pav_3j · 17 Nov 2009, 20:41

SSB only works with closed loops though doesn't it?

pav

JamesD · 17 Nov 2009, 20:46

@pav_3j said:

SSB only works with closed loops though doesn't it?

This is true. I guess I'm not quite able to visualize what you are trying to do.

pav_3j · 17 Nov 2009, 22:32

yeah it is s toughy, i do apprciate the help though.

i'll do some more experiments and see how i get on.

pav

Jim57 · 18 Nov 2009, 03:26

Have you tried K_Tools? I believe it was in Didier's listings of Rubys.

I've used the Spiral Around Z axis for modeling a sculptural shell shape. The Rotate around Z, plus a lot of manipulation, might help you. There's other stuff there that I have not gotten into.

It might take a lot of incremental rotation with individual tweaks to each upright rib to get to where you are going.

Good luck,

Jim

pav_3j · 18 Nov 2009, 04:55

ahh good plan!

you can see i'm having trouble, as it's 5 am and i'm still up...

i shall give that method a go, thank you so much!

pav