Making Chain...

^ the title ^
how do i make chain? =)

Like what type of chain? A length of chain? Chain jewelry? Maille?

i guess a length chain, like for construction

Well... Two ways to go about it that leap right to my mind. One is create two long, thin, rectangular prims. Have them perpendicularly cross each other along their long axis. These two prims with have a chain image on them that is partially transparent (alpha channel). You will offset the image on one prim, so it looks like the chain links are interlinking. Since the prims are perpendicular to each other, you should always see an image of at least one chain. That is the easy two prim method.

The other way is to make a torus (rounded) or hollowed cylinder (hard edge) for each link. Depending upon your length of chain, this can use up a lot of prims. I wanted to check to see if there were any quick tricks to get two or more links per prim, but another builder may chine in.

If you take the second path ... using several single tori or rings, do not, repeat: DO NOT make them physical.

I know it is tempting to get the catenary arc automatically and get all the whizzy amusing realistic qualities that having your chain be physical can do, but it can also crash the sim just by being there. The physics engine, we are told, is not quite robust enough to handle physical chains.

The technology exists at the bleeding edge of simulations science, but not THIS bleeding edge.

How about making each link physical and using nonroientable surfaces (i.e. Mobius strips)? Any bets on how many you could link together before the sim melted?

I know there was a reason why I skipped suggesting turning on physical and seeing how many he could link together.

fair enough, but as a learning builder, it was the natural next step for me, and is for many who are seeking realism in their builds. If there had not been someone to warn ME, there would have been an accident. I am just trying to return the favor.

The third option, usually reserved for jewelry and suchlike, being particles. Probably not really suitable for a Perminant chain in a structure but worth remembering none the less.

There's a fourth option as well: use a texture for the chain.

That was the first option.

(cue music: the circle of life)

i dont have a chain texture.. anyone know where to get one.. looked on slboutique..

You might try Google Images. You should find more than enough suitable images there. Now the trick is, is that you only need two links. Because, you can repeat (tile) them along the length of the prim.

This next step if going to require some work with either Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or the GIMP. To make the image (or texture) suitable for use, you will need to change the background of the image or to be transparent, so that only the chain appears on the prim. The trick to doing that is usually in one of the posts in the Design and Textures forum dealing with Alpha Channels.

Why do I see the next griefer ball being flying chains now?

*confused*.....
oh well...

I can show you how to make tiny chains (and other tiny prims).

I'll contact you in-world unless you IM me first

Briana Dawson

Duhr.

Sure does show me not to skim through one of these threads.