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| Making a Column - Part 1
Making a Column - Part 2: Importing into 3D Programs Free download of this column model for use in Bryce, Poser, Vue, Daz Studio and more. Textures not included. |
Many columns are simple cylinders. This tutorial will show how Shape
Magic can make much more exciting columns for your 3D buildings. | Other examples of columns made with Shape Magic:
Column - Example 1Step 1. Start by using the randomizer button located on the right side of the screen. Click on the button labeled Columns (see A in image below). This will create a random model that's high and narrow and with the top and bottom faces stretched and flared out (see image above). If you don't like what you see, just click the button again. In a few clicks you should have a shape that appeals to you or one that can be modified by dragging a few dots. Hundreds of columns can be created this way. For the column in this tutorial, first set the number of bezier segments for the middle section to 10 (B). Do this by dragging the slider or by typing 10 into the number box. Then click on the button labeled Equalize All (see C). This will set all the sections to the same value of 10 as the middle section. Then set the bottom section (D) to 12 since it will be a little longer than the other sections. Most of the sections will have complex curves, so click on the 3-bezier dot icons until 3 colored dots are showing (see E). For the bottom section, click until only 1 colored dot is showing (F). To match the shape below, drag the square dots until they line up as shown in the image (G). They pretty much fall on a vertical line with different vertical spacing. Drag the black triangle (H) up to form a peak. If you want the hollow dots to line up as shown, click on the letter S. Do the same for the orange triangle (I). The bottom section has only one hollow dot (J). Drag it to the left so there is a convex curve as shown. For the middle section, drag the middle green dot to the right and drag the top and bottom green dots to the left. For the top section, line up the blue dots so they trend to the right as shown.
Step 2. If you had clicked the letter S for the top and bottom faces, the hollow dots will line up in a straight line form top (T) to bottom (B). Drag the dots as shown below. Note that the order has changed for the top section. This arrangement causes the faces to form an edge with a tight radius. Make the black M dot a bit higher than the black triangle. Make the orange B dot a bit lower than the orange triangle. This will give the top and bottom a slight inward dish so the column edges will match up evenly with the floor and ceiling without any gaps.
Step 3. Go to the Top View page and click on the Smooth Petals button (see A below). For this particular shape, set the number of petals to 8 by dragging the blue dot to that number (B) or by typing 8 into the box (just above B). Set the number of bezier segments to 5 by typing in the box (C). Having fewer bezier segments gives a more linear/stepped cross-section. Click on the icon (at D) until two colored dots appear. Drag the solid red dot most of the way down the center line (see E). The higher this dot is, the more indented the petals will be. Set the two red hollow dots as shown (F).
Step 4. Go to the Create File page and click on the Create button (A below) to make the model, then go to the Save File page (B) and save the .obj file.
Column - Example 2Step 1. This has the same Side View and Top View as Example 1. Set Twist to 720 (A below). This will cause the grooves to make two full rotations from bottom to top, giving you a twisted column. Then go to the Create File page and click on the Create button (B below) to make the model, then go to the Save File page (C) and save the .obj file.
Column - Example 3Step 1. This has a similar Side View as Example 1. Follow the directions for Example 1 and the image below to set the dots at A-E.
Step 2. Go to the Top View page and click on the Smooth Petals button (see A below). For this particular shape, set the number of petals to 12 by dragging the blue dot to that number (B) or by typing 12 into the box (just above B). Set the number of bezier segments to 6 by typing in the box (C). Fewer bezier segments than normal are needed since there are more petals. Click on the icon (at D) until two colored dots appear. Drag the solid red dot most of the way down the center line (see E). The higher this dot is, the more indented the petals will be. Set the two red hollow dots as shown (F).
Step 3. Go to the Create File page and click on the Create button to make the model, then go to the Save File page to save the .obj file. Below is a Bryce image showing Examples 1 to 3 from left to right. As you can see, it's easy to make many different columns by various combination of Side and Top Views. Be creative! If you're stuck, click on the Randomizer buttons until something catches your eye.
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