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Sweep or spline wrap basic objects
Posted: 14 January 2022 02:13 PM   [ Ignore ]  
Total Posts:  22
Joined  2022-01-14

Hi there,
I’m trying to sweep the edges of basic objects to create a similar result to the image attached (Sweep Goal.png).
Unfortunately a search didn’t bring up a solution that covers my problem.


As an example I used a Cube object, selected its edges > edge to spline, and tried both a sweep object (using a rectangle object) and spline wrap deformer (using a cube).
Obviously this isn’t yielding what I’m after (Sweep object attempt.png + Spline wrap attempt.png)
EDIT: I’m unable to attach multiple files for some reason

I understand the edge to spline command resulted in separate splines, and I’m unsure if there’s a way to connect all and for the sweep/spline wrap to connect neatly where they meet.
Possibly I’m simply approaching this incorrectly.

Is there an easy way to achieve the result I’m after, wether it’s a basic cube, pyramid, platonic, or whatever spline shape used?

Thanks so much for any pointers,
SJ

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Posted: 14 January 2022 06:40 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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Hi joep,

Please have a look at this file:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/5cAueKoLaaNo4yo4Gyism2ZrLYcYzPGu3Q3GLCttmkd

Here is a screen capture:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/0u1AmIqTKeDcWydLM8omn7HzlfZJcOlyTvoXxf0XgOC

I hope that works for you.

All the best

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
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Posted: 14 January 2022 07:02 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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P.S.: typically the follow up question is, how to animate this, to be a “4D” cube.

Examples:
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/0u1AmIqTKeDcWydLM8omn7HzlfZJcOlyTvoXxf0XgOC

Enjoy

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrSassiLA/playlists

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Posted: 14 January 2022 08:00 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
Total Posts:  22
Joined  2022-01-14

Hi Dr. Sassi,
thats quite impressive, thanks so much for your elaborate and detailed explanation!
Much different from my sweep approach, and the volume builder/mesher are quite new to me.

Now, I wasn’t actually trying to recreate the provided example, but I’m glad to see how smile


Meanwhile I uploaded my failed attempts of using sweep and spline wrap here: https://imgur.com/a/7Sns8xO

Two follow up questions if you don’t mind,
firstly; if you look at the examples I posted, note how the edges have crisp 90° angles?
Is there a way to adapt the volume builder/mesher to reflect this look? (I messed around a bit but dont see if it’s possible)

And secondly;
my goal was to apply this to any standard objects, and besides using a square shape as the profile to create 90° angles, also use different profiles for different results.
For example a circle (which gives the result as per your explanation), a diamond shape, or any custom drawn shape for that matter.

Would that be easily possible?
Thanks again!

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Posted: 14 January 2022 11:05 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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Hi joep,

I don’t think there is a way to have that with 100% sharp edges and clean connections while showing object-based “logical” orientations. With clean connections, I have in mind geometrically sound constructions.

In my teenage years, I learned to be a technical draftsman, and constructions like that are the core skills to create. One develops an eye for quality. In other words, perhaps I’m too picky. Quick ways often have downsides, hence why I used the roundish version first and ignored the square profile in your initial image. Since that is “The example of the fourth dimension”, typically the animation question comes, which gets tricky with squares.

Here is my way to produce the initial example: Scene/project file and screen capture.
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/1uqgnKPnhi1uo0Gp5WPy6HURgCbd5wioCBsfvx3yI2j
From my point of view, there is nothing that a clean manual build model can beat.

Yes, I understand the idea of push-button solutions. If it is a request to avoid knowledge and skills, I’m unavailable. If we had that for everything, everyone could press those buttons. With that, most people would be out of work in no time. So, be careful what you wish … wink Don’t get me wrong; I’m all in for powerful and intuitive tools with lots of options. I know one thing for my work with certainty: working on things for a while focuses creativity and creates solutions that I don’t have with instant results options. But that just me.

To orient the sub-elements in those scaffolds, you need to understand the use of rails if you like to use Splines. Especially how to set them up quickly. This is perhaps simple for a cube, but it becomes fast a “puzzle” for more complex shapes, and there the artist is needed.

If you have a question, please provide scene/project files, as I’m not happy to work from images; they often tell only half the story, or here, take a lot of time, as they were more or less misleading.

Perhaps explore the Bevel tool, to create Bevels, and then delete anything else. After that Extrude with “Create Caps” on.
Example: screen capture and project file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/Vn1Tiw2fciaTk57zulPG6JCWP1HqQbXwP1Ja7purdPm

Enjoy your modeling exploration.


(Image left, full manual; right, bevel-extrude)

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
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Posted: 15 January 2022 03:10 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
Total Posts:  22
Joined  2022-01-14

Hi Dr Sassi,
Nah, you’re not too picky at all, we think much alike. A clean and as perfect as possible end result is always the goal imo.
And if manual construction is the quickest way to get there, so be it, so I’m all for it.

In the working world of deadlines time is of the essence, so the quicker the better, I would not choose to spend more time if unnecessary just because of my principals as a perfectionist.
However this never means sacrificing quality, which is unacceptable from my point of view. (clients who pay fairly receive the best, clients who don’t can look elsewhere for a freelancer)

Thought I was overlooking a simple functionality of a sweep, spline wrap, or rail technique.
Seems like I wasn’t, so off we go the manual route instead.

Your demonstration of manual modelling definitely opened my eyes on how to approach the straight angle connections,
which is a big step forward in my modelling thinking/skills. Very much appreciate your elaborate guidance on this,
the amount of time you put into this was rather exceptional, and unexpected!

Of course, no need to waste time on miscommunication through images, I’ll attach a project files next time instead.
I’m guessing I need to switch browsers to make the file upload work.

Thanks!

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Posted: 26 January 2022 12:16 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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You’re very welcome, joep,

I’m sure I had answered, but I just saw that it didn’t come through. I hope that all is working for you.

My best wishes.

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Dr. Sassi V. Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
Cinema 4D Mentor since 2004
Maxon Master Trainer, VES, DCS

Photography For C4D Artists: 200 Free Tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrSassiLA/playlists

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