Ok I can create that but you mean a simple U shaped thing? that I don't know what is the helix3dtool or what you are talking of :( a single tube? What do you mean a ring? Yes I got that ... Ok but Still didn't understood how to process your first two sentences :( are you sugesting so to go straight with the 3d insert mesh?…
Julian Kenning has an x-stitch brush that I think comes included with zbrush (lightbox's beta tester brush directory). If not, then I got it from the repo thread. Similar lacing was also handled in the past by using zspheres and flattening them, though the topology/extraction options might be just as fast depending on the…
I'm suggesting you build a stitch in any given 3d program, and turn that into an obj for an insert brush, or use zbrush to grab the depth and create an alpha. The stitching around edges (such as the image of the figure) would be as simple as grabbing the helix3d tool, giving it a uniform radius, adjusting the coverage…