Twisted Pillars

This classic object is not only easy to 
make but adds a slick look to any map.



I've made a couple of square brushes that our pillar
will connect to.  Use the brush size and texture of your
own  liking  but  remember  the  pillar  will  have  to  fit
between them.  Now  create a brush that matches the
size of  the  base  and  top  and  connect  the two.  Then
apply your texture of choice.  I've used a non- shader
from  the  'skin'  folder  from  the  textures  menu.
 
   

Now with the brush still selected go up to the curves 
option on the tool bar and choose cylinder.  Now with
our  new  shape it's time to select the  vector tool  by
hitting  the  'v'  key.   By  dragging  the  mouse  pointer
over  the center vector points  you should  see them 
change  from  green  and  pink  to  blue.   This  simply
selects  all  of the  vector points at  the  center of  the
cylinder.  Now just hit the z-axis rotate button on the
tool  bar  to  'twist' the center of the brush.  Once the
brush  looks  right hit 'ctrl+n' to line  up  the  texture
over  the  stretched  surface  of  the  brush.

   

Save, compile, and presto!  You can use this method
to create some interesting shapes with almost any
patch so experiment and see what you come up with.