How would you create this shape?

[danb4026]

I'm not sure why I am having so much trouble trying to get this shape, but I am. Attached is a picture of a screen that has hanging panels that twist. The twisting is limited, but I can't seem to get the twist modifier to limit it properly.

 

About 3-4 feet of the 20+ foot long panels are rotated/curving/twisting, and at varying locations along the panels. They also don't simply twist along an axis., but have a flowing property. The panels hang, following a curved path along the ceiling.

 

Anyone have some advice as how to produce this?

[WAcky]

Just tried geometry, splines and a loft.

 

I reckon you should create a straigh line the height of each strip and creat another line the width of the strip at the top. Create a loft using these two and use the twist deformation which will give you a great amount of control by letting you define the twist by using a graph...

[amer abidi]

was gonna suggest it but james beat me to it

lofting would be your easiest option.. through deformation twist ofcourse.

[danb4026]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I will give it a shot now.

Edited April 30, 2009 by danb4026

[Peter M. Gruhn]

twirls01.jpg

I started with a short line. Moved its pivot to one end. Then animated it up with a single rotate near the middle. Made it renderable. Snapshot tool. Editable poly. Attach. Clean up. Shell.

 

twirls02.jpg

I started with a long line and small rectangle. Shifted the pivot on the rectangle. Lofted the rectangle along the line. Used the twist deformation in loft.

 

Liked the second one better for fine control and ease of variation.

[danb4026]

Peter, just saw you post and that looks exactly like what I want to do. I will try to follow along with your instr. and see what I come up with.

 

Where did you shift the pivot to?

 

Thanks!

Edited May 4, 2009 by danb4026

[danb4026]

Peter, could you show me your twist graph?