Piping (lite)

[Gaspar]

Piping (lite)

This had been discussed by others at Yahoo, but I think it does deserve a post here.

I frequently need to create pipes (single diameter), and, so far the only alternative is to do it on a plane by plane basis. :?

It'd be great if we could have any of the following options:

1) 3D sketches to use as a sweep path.

2) The ability to import the sweep path from a file and input a "bend radius" in the dialog box. (Alibre can import the path from a file, but it generates a spline or something of that kind).

If any one else needs this feature, here's the place to push for it :wink:

 

[barrykingwill]

I have already put to Alibre, that they allow multiple sketches in a sweep path. One would still have to draw these sketches on various planes, but then at least you can use straights, and bends, and not be bound by the spline option. AND you can have one sweep for the entire pipe route.

Obviously the start of one sketch path would have to match the end of the previous one.

They agreed it would be a good feature.

Barry

 

[cclark440]

I agree with this also. Sometimes getting multiple sweeps to line up correctly can be a challenge.

 

[rbrian]

Piping - Lite or 3D Sweeps

Can somebody give me a good working example of this challenge - I would like to create a tutorial on this challenge in answer to this. Even send me some files that I can work with. Try two levels - intro and typical - would help me a lot!

I imagine - Exhaust systems, Gas Lines, Wire Routing, Roller Coasters, and Water Slides as typical uses. I am sure I missed some!

 

[Gaspar]

Hi,

I could send you a file (got tons of them) of a pipe drawn with this method, but I'm afraid your tutorial would become obsolete pretty soon because, to my understandig, V8 will allow for 3d sketching. This feature will substantialy simplify creating pipes, and of course, the method to achieve this will also change.

If you want the file anyway, let me know.

 

[rbrian]

Re: Piping - Lite or 3D Sweeps

Hi,

I could send you a file (got tons of them) of a pipe drawn with this method, but I'm afraid your tutorial would become obsolete pretty soon because, to my understandig, V8 will allow for 3d sketching. This feature will substantialy simplify creating pipes, and of course, the method to achieve this will also change.

Gaspar - have you done some new piping modeling using the new 3D line feature yet? Robert

 

[Gaspar]

Hi Robert,

I've done a few pipes with the 3d sketch feature, but I'm not sure if I'm using the best technique :?

I wrote a post the other day asking for input, but no one has answered.

The way I'm doing it is:

- My raw material is a 2d drawing of the pipe specifing the coordinates for the intersection points of the axis.
- In order to model that, I opened a 3d sketch and started a 3d line.
- Then I used the direct coordinate entry tool and copied all the coordinates from the 2d drawing generating my 3d line.
- I then select all (ctrl + a) and lock it.
- This is my sweep path.
- Then I reenter the first 2 points (as reference geometry) to generate an axis and then a plane normal to that axis and over the first point. This plane is where I sketch the 2 circles that will be swept. I project the point to the sketch to use it as center.

After this, I just sweep.

I think that know you will understand why I'm not sure to be doing it right. This is why I wanted input.

If this is any use to you, I could happily send you a file.