I can think of multiple ways of doing this in 3dsmax with built-in commands but want to make sure I understand the problem first. You intend on taking a 2d plane with built in geometrical patterns, for instance a grid, and then you want to conform this plane as a skin over another solid 3d geometry? Can the embedded 2d geometry distort?

Thanks for the response. Yes, the way you've described it is accurate. I want to be able to control parameters such as elasticity and weight as the 2D plane conforms over solid geometry. Deformations in the plane's 2D geometry would be welcomed byproducts.

hynzla I accept the challenge in 3dsMax.  Now by controlling parameters do you mean live interaction, or prior to you running the solution? (undo will always be an option).   In 3dsMax we can have an approach of 'baked' animation conforming to virtual physics or less accurate live interaction, it gets messy but can be cleaned up.

Do you use 3dsMax?  I don't really know Rhino, learned to script in Rhino when David Rutten scripts were free and Grasshopper did not quite exist yet, even used the first version of Rhino in like 1998, so I'm sure I could figure it out in Rhino, but too busy to take that challenge.

Thanks.

I know there were some cloth commands/functions in maya, where you could drape a surface over another framework and it would conform to the framework based on specific cloth parameters and gravity settings in the software.  Now that 3ds and Maya are both owned by autodesk...they probably use the same physics...I would start there.

I don't use 3dsMax, but I have access to it at school and of course through Autodesk Education software. Parameters being set prior to running is fine- undo will be way to experiment. A script or definition in grasshopper would allow for more rapid parameter adjustment. I'm open to anything! ...insofar as I can edit the resulting geometry and make a polished design out of it.

hynzla - swamped as usual, taking a relief by killing time on archinect, so here's a link to some old 3dsmax stuff that will get you started- metamechancis blog 3dsmax   .  

stepwise, written description below for the most basic approach, screenshots by weekend:

1.0 make a 2D - Plane.  Either use "meshsmooth", "tessellate", or "Subdivide" to make into equal divisions with different patterns.  see this link for other things you can do with meshsmooth for divisions of the plane geometry - ali torabi on vornoi's in max

1.1 or make some funky 2D hatch in CAD, explode and the import

1.2 or in 3dsMax make a 2d Plane and then draw whatever you want with Splines and use "shapemerge" to make the line patterns become segments of the plane

2.0  make the funk 3d solid the 2D plane is fall/conform to

3.0 this is the easiest option for conforming - add the "cloth" modifier to the 2D plane, setup the simulation within the "cloth" modifier and run the simulation until it works (see 3dsMax Notes from blog, like chapter 9 or something)

the other options I can show later...many many options

Hey, it's built with maya...

hynzla how did it come out?

The second photograph just looked like a vacuum formed  product.

try kangaroo + grasshopper + rhino

or t-splines

or maya

or 3DS Max

I went to penndesign while Wiscombe was teaching there but I didnt take his studio. 100% sure they use Maya to model everything. The crease tool will be your best friend while doing that! No need to be simulaling clothes and stuff. Just model things by "hand" and use the offset surface/volume command a lot. Being able to model ridges between surface panels is important. 

We use a combination of Maya and Rhino for this at sci-arc.. In maya, offest your edges and crease the points you like the effect in smooth (3) mode. If you aren't good in maya id suggest creating a form in rhino and exporting it in and start from there. 

You could honestly do it in any 3D package.

maya ncloth

Bump

Any ideas on how to do it purely with Rhino in detail? Can't seem to get the loft right and gh kangaroo seems tough to control.