Creating a thatched roof

[Graff89]

Hi there,
I am currently creating a traditional african hut and one of its maina features is the tached roof. the only problem is i have no idea on how to create the roof. Would someone please help me to create a thatched cylindrical roof????? PLEEEEEEEASE!!!!!

[Dr. D]

As i know, african roof create by means dry grass. Thats why you should use polygon plane with alpha chanell. Total textures have images(textures and alpha images) for african architecture. Use it, i recomend. Or try to find here [CG Textures] - The worlds largest free texture site.

[MaxAttivo]

Here's the result of 3-minute efforts

I would create a Cone with number of height segments, delete the top and bottom caps. Then apply the Max's Hair&Fur modifier. Set Frizz tip parameter to 0, the Cut Length to 40. Push the "Style hair" and simply style the thatch until it gets the right direction. Click Recomb and it's done

[Graff89]

To MaxAtivo
The thing is It will be used for animation and I am trying to reduce the render times. Still its a viable idea that i will use...jus hope it doesnt take alot of time. Thankyou...

[Re-rewind]

i know its cheating a bit but you could do the same as MaxAttivo suggested by creating a cone for the shape and then use a thatched roof image as a diffuse map and bump map or grass/straw that sort of thing, if i get a bit of time next week ill try and quickly create something to show you what i mean