[PeteGallo]

Hi,

I am using progeCad wich has very simillar commands as AutoCad.

I am tring to creat a tubular frame with many arcs.

I do not see an easy way.

What method works best for you?

Thanks for any help,
Pete Gallo

[bborb]

I draw an arc in the X/Y plane, then I draw a spline that "squirrels" down the Z axis. Next I extrude the arc, defining the spline as the extrusion path.
HTH

[ger21]

You may need to extrude it in multiple pieces and boolean (union) them together. As was mentioned, use the arc as the path and extrude along the path. In Autocad, you choose the extrude command, then "p" for path, and select the path.

[tobyaxis]

I don't use AutoCAD but does it have a Sweep Function for Creating a Tube along a Spline???

Just throwing it out there.

[ImanCarrot]

In Autocad you can just extrude a circle by however much you want, but if you're using lines or arcs you need to convert them to a polyline (PEDIT command with "Multiple" option). If you're making a "tube" then you need to do the outside then subtract the inside from it (SUBTRACT command).

You can change the colour of the faces and stuff by using the SOLIDEDIT command.

I know this is all for ACAD, but you say that the commands are similar to your system. Apologies if this doesn't help!

[ger21]

Make your circle a region and subtract a smaller region from it before extruding, which will let you extrude an actual tube.

Toby, you can extrude along a spline, but I doubt he'll be able to get a spline drawn correctly for his application. I wouldn't even try it. A 3d polyline can't have arcs in it, so that's why I suggested making it in sections and joining them together.

[kuna2]

how can i convert drawing file from autocad to master cam ?
pls help me

[PeteGallo]

Hi,

progeCad has petty much the exact commands as AutoCad.

Gerry extrute and "p" for path command works but I am not sure what to enter for the path I selected the 2 end ponts of the arc but that did not work.

bborb how do you create the spline to follow the arc? This method sounds interesting could you describe a spet by step for me (I am new to CAD).

Thanks for the help,
Pete Gallo

[ImanCarrot]

I done a quick drawing in Acad using 3 arcs, a circle hole and a tapered square hole.

I drew the arcs, used PEDIT and MULTIPLE option with JOIN option to combine them. I then drew the circle and the square, EXTRUDED the arcs, the circle and the box (used a minus 10 taper on the box).

Next, I went to 3d SW isometric view and SUBTRACTED the circle and square hole from the arcs and Gourard shaded it... here's a piccy.

PS, if anyone knows how to increaaase the resolution of the arcs and circle can they let me know please... I'm not an expert and don't know how ot make "smoother" ccircles and arcs.

Thanks in advance

Iain.

PPS! Exporting from ACAD to Cam- can your Cam prog accept DXF files? if so then you can "Save As" and select the DXF option in the file dialogue box (you would think it would be under Export, but it's not, it's "Save As"). Cheers!

Iain

[PeteGallo]

Hi Imancarrot,

I am trying to create tubes with arcs. Basically a roll cage (ROP) made up of tubes (pipes) in 3d which arc in all three x,y,z axis.

Thank You
Pete Gallo

[ImanCarrot]

Ah! sorry! my bad. Gotta shut my lab up for the day now (home time wheeee!) but I'll have a look tomorrow

[JROM]

If you are using Autocad I feel sorry for you!
Find out if you can extrude or sweep a circle along a curve to form a surface.
Good luck!

[ger21]

the center of the circle needs to be at the center of the path arc, and perpendicular to it. Let me know if you can't figure it out and I'll post a simple drawing later.

[tobyaxis]

Make your circle a region and subtract a smaller region from it before extruding, which will let you extrude an actual tube.

Toby, you can extrude along a spline, but I doubt he'll be able to get a spline drawn correctly for his application. I wouldn't even try it. A 3d polyline can't have arcs in it, so that's why I suggested making it in sections and joining them together.

I see now, Thanks for the Tip.

Cheers!!!

[PeteGallo]

ger21,

How do you specify the circle to be perpendicular to the arc?

Thanks,
Pete Gallo

[ger21]

You'll need to know the angle the arc is at and rotate either the arc or the circle so that they are perpendicular. If you can't figure it out, post a simple drawing with your arc and circle. It should be fairly easy if you draw them from the top view, then go to a 3D view and rotate them into position.

[PeteGallo]

Gerry,

Attached is the arc with the perpendicular circle.
I have not been able to extrude the circle along the arc path.

[PeteGallo]

Gerry,

Thank you !!!

I finally got it to work, extruding the circle along one arc path.

I guess it is not possible to extrude along two different arc paths at the same time. Thats ok it's easy enough to union them together as you explained earlier.

"extrude along path" sweet method Garry Thanks again.

[ger21]

I guess it is not possible to extrude along two different arc paths at the same time. Thats ok it's easy enough to union them together as you explained earlier.

As long as the path lies on a flat plane, use pedit to convert them to polylines and join them together. Make sure the circle you're extruding is at the end of the path, and you should be OK.

[PeteGallo]

I tried the joined arcs and it works great.

Thank You
Pete Gallo