Let's say you have a shape that would act as one stair step:
Then you add an empty and both the object and the empty have the same origin point. Then you add an array modifier to the stair step, and manipulate the empty to make a spiral staircase.
How would anybody make a railing surrounding the staircase?
When subdivision surface is used, the fence not to be straight from step to step, but round.
Here is what I mean:
Not this -
But this -
Edit: The merge option in the array modifier doesn't seem to do a good job
Does anybody knows how can I make a fence that follows the spiral in a perfect alignment with the spiral that follow the stairs and at the same time every part of it to be connected so that when subdivision surface is added to it, the fence to be rounded, like the representation in the 5th image from above?
Edit: I did it as Gandalf3 explained, but I'm having a problem.
What is that line that is visible when subdivision surface is added and how to fix it? Note: I was having trouble with vertex groups so I duplicated the model and on the duplicate I applied the array so I could use it as a guide to align the vertecies of the end of the cylindar to the begining of the second one ("cursor to selected"-"selection to cursor"). And I edded a hook modifier and made the "Object" to be the "Empty" and on "Vertex groups" I added the vertex group. And I'm not sure if they are now connected. And I didn't parent the empty to the other empty. But they should be connected now right? Here is the blend file if someone would like to check it out -
http://www.pasteall.org/blend/29776
Its my first upload file so inform me if it can't opened.