I made a chain link shape path in Gimp and exported as .svg. I then imported that svg into blender to make this chrome chain. It looks pretty darn good for a part time (rarely) Blender user.

That's awesome! How did you extrude it? Did you use the bevel modifier?

"Looks pretty darn good" ... Actually, it looks great. To me, it's hard to believe that chain isn't a photograph and isn't "real."

Thanks for the complements.

I added a Bezier Circle, then pointed to it in the Bevel Object tab.

Excellent chrome chain. Blender is worth learning.

Racer-x - like your neat chain, so thought I would give Gimp a quick try at a steel chain. Does not have the same shine characteristics as your Blender version; probably needs more time/attention

Pretty good though OMG.

I finally got around to animating it. Blender is very hard and I rarely use it, so I forget how to set up controls for it. Lot's of trial and error.

Nice.

Very impressive - can almost hear the creaking, scraping noise it would make.

Indeed it does, racer-x, well done. I still have problems with good lighting.
Blender is a good program but like you, I don't use it enough to get myself into it.
The last remark applies only to me

And I'm surprised about the good quality in the GIF outcome

Yes, lighting can be challenging for sure. I'm going to let you in on a little secret that I've discovered. If I set the "World" to "Environmental Texture", I can use one of my many Gimp E-Maps. This let's me use some of my many Chrome and Gold reflection maps. It makes it look much more realistic, I think.

The GIF looks good at it's size because it's only 24 frames. This one has 36 frames and includes both Chrome and Gold, because I couldn't decide which one I wanted.

P.S. Don't tell anyone our little secret.

Racer, it's very impressive. I like it a lot.
OMG, there is nothing you aren't able to do. Great!

Thank you for the explanation racer-x. I should try that out. Unfortunately not much time for Blender or Gimp at the moment.

And you can be sure, I won't tell anyone our little secret

noice

Fantastic chains racer-x

I made a screencast tutorial on making a chrome chain in blender. Mostly so I don't forget how I did it, but anyone can try it out if they are adventurous. It's relatively simple as blender animations goes. I'm also attaching the chain path svg and the E-map I used to make the chrome reflection. Good luck trying to figure out my thick Boston accent.

It's great you have done that tutorial racer
I'm interested in those metallic reflective surfaces and also mirror surfaces. It's nice to make elements that can be moved between different apps.

Thanks Tas_mania. I've found many uses for my many E-maps and discovering I could use my path shapes in blender was pure coincidental. I rarely use blender, so consider myself a novice. The main reason for this tut is to help me remember how I did it. It seems I spend too much time trying to figure out how blender works when I finally get a chance to use it....