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Three years ago, I first tried to create a string of Xmas lights using a tapered coil. It "worked", but the results were ugly (and incredibly difficult to texture.) The texture was applied to the outside of the coil, causing the image to stretch & wrap. And applying the UV map requires a degree in Differential Calculus. So now, I'd like to do it right.

What I'm thinking now is a string of "beads"... a coil of balls tapered at the top but w/o resizing/reshaping the beads/lights themselves. I don't know if that's even possible since the number of "beads" would have to increase top-to-bottom.

Maybe there's a way to "wrap" a string of beads around a cone then delete/hide the cone? Dunno. Just spit-balling.

Any tips or am I asking too much? TIA :)

Duarte Farrajota Ramos
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Mugsy
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1 Answers1

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Here is a possible way.

You could use geometry nodes to create the spiral.

You change some numbers to get the height and taper you want.

Then you attach some spheres to the spiral curve and randomize the color of them.

Here is the result: enter image description here

Here is what your node tree might look like, but you can customize it to have other ornaments other than just spheres, maybe even a collection of objects.

enter image description here

If you set up a material that uses the instancer option, it can use a range of colours instead of just one.

enter image description here

common_goldfish
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  • Oh wow, that's awesome. I'll give it a try. I made need to follow up with questions on using the Node Tree as it's a feature I've never quite understood. – Mugsy Nov 27 '22 at 02:20
  • @Mugsy, This is a good example to start experimenting with. It suits geometry nodes pretty well. That being said, if you have any questions I will reply. – common_goldfish Nov 27 '22 at 17:59