Hi 
This image was created as a reply for an earlier question about a Pipe/Hose creation method…
The Z (in the above image) was modeled from a single Cylinder object. This image started with the intention of demonstrating a method of modeling a simple 3D primitive, but as I was working on this image, I got ‘carried away’ ( a frequent phenomena :)) and added the other details. This image shows that by combining few 3D objects and some 2.5D brushes it is possible to quickly create an interesting image.
The ‘bamboo sticks’ were made from a single 3D object. Here is how…
- Select a Cylinder3D tool. Open the Tool
Modifiers Initialize sub menu and set XSize=5, YSize=5, VDivide=128. - In order to create the ‘rings’ we will be using the Inflate deformation action. Before we can do that, we need to mask the area that would need to be inflated/deflated. First we completely mask the object by applying MaskAll in the Tool Modifiers Selection sub menu.
- Now we will be unmasking the area that will be deflated. To do so we need to set Tool Modifiers Selection Sel=8 and Tool Modifiers Selection Skp=1 and press the Tool Modifiers Selection Row button. This will create a masking pattern of 8 unmasked rows and 1 masked row.
- The object is masked and ready to be deflated. Apply Tool Modifiers Deformation Inflat = -10. (Positive value will inflate while negative value will deflate)
- Apply a material with Noise pattern and Color bump and the object is ready.
Modifiers To create a ‘hose’…choose either the Cylinder3D tool or the Ring3D tool (choose the one that is closer to the shape that you want to create)
When using a Cylinder3D…
- Select the Cylinder3D tool.
- We would need to edit the 3D object by using the Edit-Move mode. An important point to consider is that the default Cylinder is a ‘thick’ object and it will be difficult to push/pull parts of the object while trying to keep a consistent thickness throughout the length of the object. In order to make it easier to achieve that, we will re-initialize the object to be very thin. To do that, you need to set the Tool Modifiers Initialize XSize and YSize to 1.
- We would need to have enough polygons in the 3D object in order to allow for nice and smooth curves. To do that, we need to increase the Tool.Modifiers.Initialize.HDivide and VDivide to 128. If needed, the Radial Coverage can be reduced in order to produce an open-ended curve.
- Now we have an object that is ready to be edited. Draw the object in the canvas, and enter edit mode. Use the Edit MOVE mode in order to pull and reshape the object till you get the desired result. (Note: Pulling the curve a short distance in several small steps will yield a better result than pulling the curve a long distance in a single step.)
- In order to increase the thickness of this thin object, we will be using the Tool Modifiers Deformation Inflat action, but before we do that, we need to apply Tool Modifiers deformation Smooth several times (3-4 times) in order to improve the smoothness of the about-to-be-inflated object. After smoothing the object, we need to apply the inflate action and if all done properly, you should have a nicely curved and thick object.
When using a Ring3D…
- Select the Ring3D tool.
- We would need to edit the 3D object by using the Edit-Move mode. An important point to consider is that the default Ring3D is a ‘thick’ object and it will be difficult to push/pull parts of the object while trying to keep a consistent thickness throughout the length of the object. In order to make it easier to achieve that, we will re-initialize the object to be very thin. To do that, we need to set the Tool Modifiers Initialize SRadius to zero.
- We would need to have enough polygons in the 3D object in order to allow for nice and smooth curves. To do that, we need to increase the Tool Modifiers Initialize SDivide and LDivide to 128.
- Now we have an object that is ready to be edited. Draw the object in the canvas, and enter edit mode. Use the Edit MOVE mode in order to pull and reshape the object till you get the desired result. (Note: Pulling the curve a short distance in several small steps will yield a better result than pulling the curve a long distance in a single step.)
- In order to increase the thickness of this thin object, we will be using the Tool Modifiers Deformation Inflat action, but before we do that, we need to apply Tool Modifiers deformation Smooth several times (3-4 times) in order to improve the smoothness of the about-to-be-inflated object. After smoothing the object, we need to apply the inflate action and if all done properly, you should have a nicely curved and thick object.
Below is another quick bamboo test…
The above sliver show a segment of the image in actual size. This image shows the actual fiber that have been drawn by using ‘bake’ function and drawing the fiber with material zero (Flat Color).
I hope that you’ll find this helpful
-Pixolator
