Here's the picture i would like to make :

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Eu...photo189975.htm (it's the giant's causeway)

using a surface replicator to replicate extruded pentagons, is there a way to get texture and "erosion" variations using C5 ?
thank's
yves

Message edited on: 03/16/2006 03:58

Actually basalt columns are mainly hexagonal (six-sided)in shape. I've modeled quite a few basalt formations. I usually start with a subdivided grid and add verts and edges to make six sided columns. Then I extrude these at random several times. Then I bevel a few edges and apply a noise modifier to add randomness so they don't look like they are manufactured. Another way would be to use a displacement map or make a terrain using a grayscale prepared in PS, or another image editor. I would be very interested to see if you can come up with a naturalistic result using the surface replicator.

Bad link.

Yeah, the link is bad, but if you go to the UK section and type in "giant's causeway" it takes you there.

I just copy/paste a line of them and then group them. Then copy/paste the group until I have a grid. Then ungroup everything and start pounding on the objects. Also stretch a cluster of them upwards to make them longer than the others. Sounds like a fun project.

sorry,here's the corrected link : http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Ireland/photo189975.htm , there are numerous photos of these. I will try something ...when I have some free time

Not as I would see as a way to do in Replicator. If you succeed let us know please. Danamo and Shonners ideas are the ways I would think of first.

Hi yvesab, Don't know if this is what you're looking for. It's a quick Surface Replicator test with three different objects in the Replicator. The fractal mixing shader is set to Global so the coloring is varied from object to object. Many ways to improve this version it's just a quickie test.

Thank you Mark,
seems to be a very good starting point for my project,
perhaps using a terrain to model the columns would help to manage an erosion effect ?
Yves

Message edited on: 03/17/2006 05:38

I used a terrain here to vary the height. The next step would be to model 5 or six objects with various amounts of decay. Looking forward to seeing what you develop.

Nice work MarkBrenner! You've shown that the idea is very workable. I'm still trying to get my head around the surface replicator.