Learn step-by-step how to create and manipulate 3D computer graphics. You can design banner ads, movies, logos, buttons and more.  Home 3D Graphics Tutorials Pipes and Wires

Pipes and Wires


1. First select your Bezier Spline Tool:

image 1

2. If you have ever worked with the pen tool in photoshop, this is basically the same tool except with 3 dimensions.  Switch to your 4 port view by clicking F5:

image 2
Click to enlarge

3. Click anywhere in one of the 4 ports to create a point.  Click again in a different port to make another point.  Continue clicking in different view ports until you have a jumbled structure like so:

image 3
Click to enlarge

4. This Spline is the basic structure that our wire/pipe will lie on.  Now we need to define what the outline of the structure is going to look like.  To do this, we need to create a circle Spline Primitive:

image 4

5. In the attributes, change the size to around 15.  This will affect the radius of our pipe/wire to 15:

image 5

6. Now we need a way of connecting these two splines.  To go about this, we will use a type of nurbs known as Sweep Nurbs, which is a kind of hybrid of Extrude nurbs and Lathe nurbs.  Add a Sweep NURBS Object to your scene (Objects > NURBS > Sweep NURBS):

image 6

7. Now time for connecting the two Splines using the Sweep Nurbs.  To do this, drag both of the objects underneath the Sweep Nurbs so that the Circle lies on top:

image 7

And your done!  Here is my scene after a few modifications with materials and lighting:

Pipes and Wires

Good Luck!



Author's URL: GreyCobra.com
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Learn step-by-step how to create and manipulate 3D computer graphics. You can design banner ads, movies, logos, buttons and more. More Tutorials: Featured Materials | Fresh Materials | More 3D Graphics Tutorials at 3DLessons.com


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