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I need to generate a mesh where I can take the wireframe edges of the mesh and apply a shape to them so that the resulting mesh is long rods across those wireframe edges with the cross-section being of the shape I applied.

Below is similar to what I would like to do but instead of this, I would like it with a cylinder (or any shape if possible)

enter image description here

I rather like gandalf3's answer above the one from Coburn as I need to export this effect to Unity, so I rather have a real mesh above a visualization in blender.

I include both as correct answers

Create a rounded wireframe?

How can I render an edge only mesh as solid lines?

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    $\begingroup$ Is it possible you could provide a reference image of the effect you'd like to achieve? $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3 ♦
    Mar 18, 2015 at 19:25
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    $\begingroup$ Yes I'd like to be able to make them any form I like like a Bevel object to a curve... sorry I don't know what option I am looking for $\endgroup$
    – user2888973
    Mar 18, 2015 at 19:48
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    $\begingroup$ Similar to what you're looking for but not a complete answer to your question. blender.stackexchange.com/questions/3149/… $\endgroup$
    – Cobertos
    Mar 18, 2015 at 19:52
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    $\begingroup$ Related: blender.stackexchange.com/q/2838/599 $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3 ♦
    Mar 18, 2015 at 19:53
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    $\begingroup$ This is not a duplicate of this question. The linked question is asking how to render edges as lines, while this question is asking how to make actual tubes out of geometry around edges. $\endgroup$
    – gandalf3 ♦
    Mar 18, 2015 at 20:46

1 Answer 1

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Starting in edit mode you want to delete all faces from the mesh object X.

enter image description here

Then convert the mesh to a curve ⎇ AltC

enter image description here

Now that you have a curve object you can add any bevel shape you want to it by editing a new curve object to the shape and set it as the bevel object.

enter image description here

As you may notice in that screenshot, the curve from mesh object may need some cleanup. A mesh object can branch out many time from one vertex where a curve is one continuous line, this can leave "loose ends" in the generated curve.

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  • $\begingroup$ Sorry for the late reply... This is what I was asking for. thank you $\endgroup$
    – user2888973
    Mar 23, 2015 at 6:59
  • $\begingroup$ Where is this button in Blender 2.8? I don't see "Curve from Mesh/Text" and Alt+C does nothing. $\endgroup$
    – Aaron Franke
    Jan 12, 2020 at 7:09
  • $\begingroup$ @AaronFranke the Alt-C shortcut has been removed. You can find "Convert to" in the object menu. Or press F3 and enter "conv" to see "Convert to" in the list. $\endgroup$
    – sambler
    Jan 12, 2020 at 7:19

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