Ropes, Strings and Knots?

Jarran

Hi there, I'm working on this character for a university project and essentially I have absolutely no idea how to go about making this work. The part I need help with is circled in red below.



I have thought about using splines but it seems like it'd be a bit fiddly when it comes to the knots around the rings. Any advice? Here's a shot of the WIP character.

Torch

I would use splines for the hanging ropes. In terms of where the rope attaches to the rings, you could create a separate subtool like a smoothed cube, then subdivide and use something like Dam Standard to sculpt cuts to make it look like the rope is wrapping around the ring. Orrr....you could make one rope 'loop' and fit it into place where the ring meets the hanging rope and duplicate + move it several times to make it look like a single piece of rope overlapping itself.

Failing that you could try this method: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?178522-Mummy-Wraps-Bandages-Technique-with-SliceCurve-amp-Panel-Loops

Jarran

great i think i'll give the separate subtool/your rope loop ideas a go. thanks a lot

Jarran

Another question about this, is there a way to easily rig/simulate string/ropes within 3ds max (or possibly maya as I'm gonna learn that soon too) rather than moving and manipulating a bunch of bones?