I'm trying to figure out how to take a diagram of the veins and arteries in the human body, and convert the 2D data into 3D.

Basically, I need lots of tubes based on the arterial structure, so that I can animate blood particles flowing through those veins.

Any ideas?

That is hard to answer... the biggest question is, what app are you using? the next question is  does it support "tubes"?..... It also occurs to me to ask what it is you are asking.... do you want advice on how to go about it, or are you asking what app to use?.... the second one is a killer, since you're likely to get a multitude of answers... all of which are valid. Not trying to be picky... just need a little more info. Lou.

I am using c4d 8. fairly new to it still.

I am figuring out how to flow the particles. Thats not my problem.

My problem is how to construct the vein structure throughout the body. I have a 2d pic of all the veins and arteries in the body. I want to know how I can convert that pic to 3d, so that all of the veins and arteries become tubes, so that I send send particles through.

How can I make the 2d map of flat lines a 3d structure of tubes?

Put the image on a plane to give you something to work from (if you have front / side images you can create on two planes it would help), then create a network of splines over the arteries / veins. You could then loft the splines to create the arteries and also use them as the path for you particle flow.

I take it that you're going to have the vascular system as a kind-of stand alone.. I don't expect that you're going to go to the capilary level... One thing you can do, would be to use a low level model as a "form", lock the model to prevent accidentally adding it to what you want, then configure your veins and arteries to it... going from 2 to 3D will have to be somewhat intuitive, since you are the one who's going to have to determine how deep the vessels go... some of it will be common sense.. MOST arteries don't run close to the surface, and are little more than the "mains".. same with the veins... the larger it is, the deeper it usually is... though, with both, there ARE exceptions... as you model, you can turn visibility on and off in order to figure out "where" you are.... once donr, you should be able to just delete the model, and be left with just the vessels...... one thing.... if you're going to do whole-body, I'd start with the heart, and do the back half of the system first, then the front of the "body"... also, you'll want to start with the largest vessels FIRST... you can always "shrink" the smaller ones, as you go. BTW... this is what you get the "big bucks" for... converting a visualisation of 2D to a 3D. Lou.

thanks alot for your replies, and many details. :)