How to model steel wires?

Support Modeling
1

Hi there!

I need to model these steel wires:

1
1407Ă—614 180 KB

2
2475Ă—871 465 KB

The task is easy enough if I consider them to be a cylinder. However, how can I do it if they have a cylindrical structure where they attach (without having to painstakingly position them one by one)?

2

Yes, it’s very easy- make a structure in the shape of the wires, for example, a cylinder. Delete the top and bottom faces and edges. Add a skin modifier. Done!

3

I think I found it: the new array modifier in Blender 5.0 allows me to rotate only the top. There are issues, though:

  • I can’t set how far away the steel wires are one from another at the top;
  • The wires at the top don’t stay leveled.

top
top1916Ă—1024 351 KB

4

Sorry, I’m not following…is that for create a single wire, or the entire structure?

5

Screenshot 2025-11-25 at 12.41.08 PM
Screenshot 2025-11-25 at 12.41.08 PM2870Ă—1418 2.25 MB

Cube, move top, add some loop cuts, make top circle. Delete top and bottom faces, add skin modifier, select all, set root

6

It might be a bit cumbersome but when you use a bezier with only two control points and set the handles to auto choose your bevel values to your liking anf copy them in the distance you want, then you can scale the top one to almost zero like so:

wires

…and then convert to mesh to youe liking…

This is not suited if you want some special end caps a.k.a. wire anchors…

…or use what @joseph just posted… :smile_cat:

7

Both your methods are great, thanks!