Hi gks,
I have put a message on the index page of the forum regarding the new forum, for the past couple of months. But I recently learned that not everyone could see it. But in any case, this forum is closing, and we are now using the new forum to provide support for Inkscape.
It's on the Inkscape website:
https://inkscape.org/forums/ (You'll need to register on the Inkscape website, if you're not already.)
I can give you a quick answer, but more people will see the message on the new forum, if you would like to post it there.
To answer your question, that would be an incredibly complex image, to try to make it realistic (in my opinion). Personally, I would probably take a raster image, like you've shown, and manually trace it. Or you could use Trace Bitmap, and probably get an ok result.
One way to approach it might be pattern along path, for simplistic representation. But for realistic look, a lot of work, with highlights and shading to create the depth or simulated 3d.
However, I'm somewhat getting inspired to try it..... We could actually make that a drawing challenge in the new forum! I've been planning to set up some drawing challenges there, pretty soon. You know, I think I'll do that right now!
