Arch

[pierrot1951]

Hello
I need to create archs.
Has anybody allready done it and could post the part file?
To get the lower part of arch (half cylinder)I intend to use a box cut by a cylinder and boolean tool.
Thanks for help.
Pierrot - FMEP

 

[FelixFFDS]

Shape one 3-section cylinder - Assume it's the "inside", so flip the normals "in".

Note that the "middle" section is going to be the real inside of the arch.

Copy/paste the shaped cylinder, scale/adjust to shape/size. Flip the ploygon normals - this is the "outside".


Now, to close the ends, move the end points of the "inner cylinder" to the corresponding points of the outer cylinder, snap to vertex.

Since you're using round cylinders, just delete the "bottom" points of the two cylinders.

To clarify: In the process above, you are creating two cyllinders - the inside and outside of the arch, and then "folding" the outer sections of the inside arch to snap to the outside arch.

Alternatively, you can create the inside and outside cylinders, and then just create the necessary filler polygons.

......

or if you're REALLY masochistic, build it block by block

 

[jpfil]

Other solution :

4 sides vertical tube with 5 sections (more sections = smoother curve). Build the half of the arch and give it the shape you want. Once finished, copy/flip to make the other half and join the two halfs. Smooth the finished object and apply texture.

 

[pierrot1951]

Thanks for answers for arch (recangular section tube, then bend following half-circle).
Sorry, I had not explained correctly; I need arch with horizontal upper part (as roman triump arch). I succeeded with boolean (box + cylinder tool). But it creates many polygons.
I join thumbs for single arch, and 3-arch set.
If you have a better solution????
Pierrot - FMEP

 

[FelixFFDS]

Thanks for answers for arch (recangular section tube, then bend following half-circle).
Sorry, I had not explained correctly; I need arch with horizontal upper part (as roman triump arch). I succeeded with boolean (box + cylinder tool). But it creates many polygons.
I join thumbs for single arch, and 3-arch set.
If you have a better solution????
Pierrot - FMEP

Using my two clylinder method, just shape the "outer" cylinder in your block shape, and connect the points of the "inner" cylinder's folded sections. You don't get away from having to form the "end" polygons.


Even if you were to create a template of your basic arch, and extrude, you still have to create the end polygon caps.

 

[FelixFFDS]

This screenshot shows the arches and in wireframe.

It's probably more complicated than needed, but "cleaner" than a boolean.

 

[Farfy]

So many ways to do the same thing, I will thro my two cents in. I would vote for making it out of separate blocks, this makes putting the all important textures on it so much easier and after all unneeded polygons are removed it only has 59 polygons.
Farfy

 

[pierrot1951]

Thanks for all solutions; I'll try as soon as possible.

 

[pierrot1951]

Hello
I tested Felix way and find interesting. I didn't use "snap to vertex" so far. I tested to create an hexagonal bolt; inner 6 points / 3 sections tube; outer 6 points / 1 section tube; then "folding" end parts of inner tube .
After joining both parts, we have the minimum number of polys (18) we could expect. Then, points can be moved if we need to model an other outer form.

I tested with directly a box as outer part, but "snap" operation has to be prepared: some points of inner cylinder have to be previously moved to be closer from point we want to snap to.
Pierrot - FMEP

 

[FelixFFDS]

You just made me realize an even easier way!

Instead of making two cylinders, just make one.

Your bolt, as you show it has four sections - you just fold them inside!