Everyone likes free stuff, but as artists free stuff can be a real life saver. With this round of free stuff, we are giving away a free extendable chain model! This model is setup with a series of modifiers to allow you to easily create any length and shape of chain you would like! Instructions for how it works are included in the .blend file.
Enjoy!
Download includes:
- Chain model
CG Cookie chain model by Jonathan Williamson and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
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13 Comments
Thanks! This could come in useful if I’m in a time-crunch sometime, and it was good practice for rust textures. I also learned quite a bit, but I still don’t understand how the empty works to get the right angle for it.
Thanks again Jonathan!
The empty works by telling Blender how far to rotate each object. Thus, if you rotate it it 90 degrees along the X-axis, each object will be rotated an additional 90 degrees than the previous object.
I must say, Blender Cookie has become a daily must-visit for me. As always, thanks Jonathan!
That’s what we like to hear, you’re very welcome
Amazing work, you rock!!
I try to download the tutorial how to make your “Extandable Chain”
There is no tutorials?
I am citizen member
There is not a tutorial for the chain, it was released as a free resource. If there are enough people interested in a tutorial on how to create this then I’d more than happy to try and fit it in sometime. Anyone?
Hi Jonathan,
I was going to ask you the same thing.. so.. I’m another one interesed on how to make it.
Thanx a lot
Hey Jontahan, would really like to see a tutorial of the chain:
Sorry for my bad english:)
/Isak
awesome! really much appreciation for sharing all these wonderful things, thumbs up³
I modeled the rope back in the days and it was very enlighting for curve modifier use and partial modelling and arraying it, I could imagine that these are kinda related in terms of how to tackle it. I’m just guessing tho!
Best regards!
Awesome. Thank you.
about that chain tutorial jonathon
can you? please.
Making a chain like this is super easy!
• Start by making an object that you would like to see duplicated and following a curve, in Jonathan’s case, this was a chainlink. Not even a full chain link, only 1/4th of one which he used a mirror modifier to turn into a full link.
• Next step, create a curve, and curve will do, shape it as desired. I like beizer curves.
• Go back to your mesh object and add an array modifer. Under the drop down box “Fit Type” Select “Fit Curve” essentially telling Blender that you want to Duplicate your object along. By default it will duplicate your object in the positive X Axis. There should not be much adjusting from here. Now try moving the curve in the curve’s edit mode. You will see that your mesh gets longer or shorter based on the length of your curve!
• Now we just need the mesh to follow the shape of the curve. To do this, add a Curve modifier, select your curve, positive X should be selected and voila!
Jonathan used an empty to control the offset of each piece, under the Array modifier, you can add an offset object, this is useful for controlling the roll of the duplicate objects, like in the chain, each piece needs to be twisted for it to work. Although this is very easy, sometimes it’s easier to see it in action, if anyone wants, I’ll create a vid tutorial.