In this tutorial I’ll try to explain how to make a chain link fence. Car grilles and repetitive stuff like that can also be made like this.
EDIT: Blend file is on message #5 and in Blendswap
First I looked for a picture of a chain link fence that was clear enough, and used it as a background in the 3D view. The first task is to find the repetitive pattern and model it.
I started creating an hexagon (6 side circle) and extruded it to follow the path of the fence.
Then I mirrored the shape (duplicate, then scale X -1) to make a link:
After having a link, I duplicated it several times, and joined it to make one single mesh. Using vertex snap makes this really easy, as you can see in this two step screenshot:
I duplicated it several times. For me it’s easier to work like this, I’ll erase whatever I don’t need later. Try to be organized, move stuff around on the same axis, and use the numpad to enter the same numbers each time. Using the mouse to move things around may lead to a poor loop.
Now, to make the repetitive pattern, we need to cut the sample that’s going to be repeating. Use the cut tool and make a vertical cut.
The next step is to move the part you just cut to the right, so you get a looping sample of your fence. Get rid of the extra piece of fence. It should look something like this:
Let’s test our loop. Set up some array modifiers, and you should get something that this. Notice how I set the modifiers in the next screenshot. I’m using relative offsets, and merging vertices that coincide. I you have a subsurf modifier, feel free to move it to the bottom and to the top of the modifier stack, to see what happens:
Make the fence as big as you want, but be careful, since polygon count will go up fast, specially if you enabled subsurf.
Now we want to give our fence a shape to make it more realistic. Create a lattice:
Create a lattice deformation modifier for the fence. A 2D lattice will work ok and keep things simple, if you don’t need much deformation. If you want the fence to make a curve, you might need a 3D lattice:
I noticed the top and bottom parts of the fence don’t look real. The good thing about using modifiers is that you always keep your original mesh.
Since I only want to edit the top and bottom links, I will apply the vertical array. My mesh will now be a vertical strip of links, but I will be able to modify the top and bottom ones without affecting the rest.
This is how I closed the top link:
And then I created a cylinder that goes through it:
The horizontal span of my new cylinder should be exactly the same as the width of the mesh. If it’s shorter, it won’t link. If it’s longer, it will mess all the fence.
I did the same for the bottom link:
Finally I decided to add depth to my 2D lattice, to make deformation more accurate. I also added a couple posts:
