Moho Forum

Anyone got any brilliant shortcuts for creating a chain link fence? I need a lattice but there doesn't appear to be any straight line tool (which would be ideal -- freehand won't cut it with the number of lines I have to draw keeping them even).

If I can't create it easily in AS I'll do it in Illustrator and import, but I'd prefer to keep it all inside AS if I can. I just don't see an easy way to create this.

Ah, nevermind (that's what comes from posting too soon).

I figured I can snap the freehand to a grid and then shear the results along the Y axis -- just about exactly what I need (although I'll need to mask the results to get a rectangle -- no big deal).

You could make the chain link into a brush like this:




Here are the files.

http://www.wienertoonz.com/DKChain.zip

Load the png into your brush library before starting AS.

Cheers
D.K

That's the wrong kind of chain link but I appreciate both the help and the brush idea -- I think I should give the brush a try since I've never used one yet and it might very well be what I need.

I don't know if it's a national or regional communication issue, but here in the United States a chain link fence is the kind you see around tennis courts. Not really a "chain" except that the links interlock. Here's the image:

http://www.fenceonline.com/productlineschainlink.html

So it's kind of a diagonal pattern thingee -- but perhaps I can create a brush of one diamond link and use that. I'll have to see just how the brush tool really works.

That's a chain link fence as I know it too...

Warning about the brush idea. When using a brush for "soft" or blurry or "busy" effects like leaves etc it works well.

I've found using it for hard edge effects they don't anitalias very well. You get jagged edges in the render. For your fence I would recommend drawing it. You can try it with the brush but you might not like the renders. Also you would need to have multiple rows that will "line up" perfectly to create a continuous fence. This might not be so easy or quick.

On the plus side you could create the "weaving" or interlaced effect in the brush itself.

-vern

Yeah, I've created a brush that "links" well and seems to be okay in my renders but I'm also doing to do it the old fashioned (drawing) way and see if there's a difference.

But I'm glad I found out about brushes (and how to make them myself) -- yet one more tool to overcome my limitations! <bg>