PART 1: CREATING THE SPLINE CURVE

I began this part using Adobe Illustrator, but it could easily have been accomplished completely in Modeler.

STEP 1
I Like to start most of my models by drawing the basic shapes in Adobe Illustrator. I am very familiar with this program and find it very easy to work with. I decided to create a square knot for this tutorial because it is easy to model. Using a knotted computer power cord as a guide I drew the shape below and saved an Illustrator 8 file. (Modeler can not load Illustrator files saved in version 9 format).

STEP 2
I imported the Illustrator file with Modeler's EPSF Loader which is located under the File: Import: popup menu button. I set the loader to create a Spline curve with a fine resolution.

The imported shape:

STEP 3
I used the bend tool to bend the front of the knot loop up. I only have to make one loop as the second loop is the same shape as the first, just rotated 180°.

STEP 4
I used the bend tool again, this time with a manual falloff, to make a bend in the opposite

direction.

The second bend done:

STEP 5
The spline curve might be done, but to check it I rail extruded a disk along the curve.

STEP 6
I made two copies of the rail extruded shape on different layers. Using these I was able to see that the two ropes intersected each other too much.

I adjusted the spline curve and tried again, this time with more acceptable results. If you wanted a simple knot you could stop here. But the more complicated shape of the twisted rope can not be created by rail extrusion. I deleted the two rope shapes as they were just to check the fit of the spline curve shape.

STEP 7
I selected the spline curve and chose the Make Skeligons command from the Construct tab.

continued: PART 2