0
$\begingroup$

This is a problem I've encountered several times with blender and I've never found a good way of doing it - am I missing something?

I want to design a solid mesh pattern with holes - eg chicken wire, and apply/map/wrap it to form a shape. The result needs to be a solid mesh that can be 3D printed - so a bump mask doesn't work.

I've create this using a wireframe mesh and the skin modifier, this is ok for a simple shapes but it's time consuming and doesn't work for complex shapes.

enter image description here enter image description here

Is there an alternative method which would be printable?

| improve this question | |
$\endgroup$
1
$\begingroup$

You could use Array and Simple Deform modifiers:

  • Create a plane, subdivide it. Rotate it 45°.

enter image description here enter image description here

  • Press i to inset, delete the inner faces.

enter image description here enter image description here

  • Use the Snap and the Auto-Merge options to duplicate it.

enter image description here

  • Only keep one segment, duplicate it with the Array modifier.

enter image description here enter image description here

  • Give it a Simple Deform modifier / Bend mode, 360° angle. If it's completely twisted it's probably because you haven't applied the rotation. You can modify the segment geometry until you're happy (add edge loops, thickness, etc).

enter image description here

| improve this answer | |
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you that's a much better way than what I had for that situation - I'm still looking for a way to achieve that type of thing but with an arbitrary mesh. Much like Voronoi but with the ability to control the structure/pattern. I suspect the only way is going to be a script but I don't know where to start. $\endgroup$ – Richard Oct 31 '19 at 18:30
  • $\begingroup$ you can add a Displacement modifier to give it a bit of random deformations if this is what you're looking for $\endgroup$ – moonboots Oct 31 '19 at 18:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.