Drawing circles in the same 3D plane

[ukdodger]

AC2004
How do you draw a circle with reference to another object? I have a wheel rim drawn in 3D complete with spokes radiating from the centre. I want to put a spoke hole on the end of each spoke where it penetrates the rim. So as the spokes radiate about the rim the circles on the end of each spoke will change in plane to be at 90deg to each spoke in turn. I'm stumped.

[jaberwok]

Assuming the spokes do not lie in a single plane -
If the spokes already pass through the rim just copy all the spokes in place (so each spoke is actually 2 spokes) then subtract one of each spoke from the rim. You can offset face later to enlarge the holes.
If the spokes do all lie in the same plane (in a polar array) copy one spoke (changing its colour will help later) and array it to match the other spokes then subtract from the rim.

[ukdodger]

Assuming the spokes do not lie in a single plane -
If the spokes already pass through the rim just copy all the spokes in place (so each spoke is actually 2 spokes) then subtract one of each spoke from the rim. You can offset face later to enlarge the holes.
If the spokes do all lie in the same plane (in a polar array) copy one spoke (changing its colour will help later) and array it to match the other spokes then subtract from the rim.

Thanks JB but I'm at a loss to see how that creates any holes? I've drawn lines from the centre of the wheel hub radiating around the wheel, I used the hub centre so that they would pass through the rim centre. Like the spokes of a wagon wheel. Later I will relocate them from the hub centre to the hub edge. What I need are holes where they pass through the rim centre. Each hole will be at right angles to the spoke and tangent to the rim. Am I missing something here? I'm using the wireframe display.

RD

[jaberwok]

I was assuming that you're still working on a bicycle and that you're making 3d solids.
Was I wrong?

[ukdodger]

I was assuming that you're still working on a bicycle and that you're making 3d solids.
Was I wrong?

Nope. It is a bicycle wheel but not in solids. I've never used solids. If this works I'll try doing the same thing in solids.

[jaberwok]

Nope. It is a bicycle wheel but not in solids. I've never used solids. If this works I'll try doing the same thing in solids.

So, meshes then?

[ukdodger]

So, meshes then?

No wireframe. I think that's what it's called. Just lines.

[jaberwok]

If it's just lines, it can't possibly have holes.
How about posting an example of what you're doing?

[ukdodger]

If it's just lines, it can't possibly have holes.
How about posting an example of what you're doing?

Well not holes then but circles. Attached drawing.

[jaberwok]

Is the blue circle what you want?

[ukdodger]

Is the blue circle what you want?


Sure is John. How did you do that?

[jaberwok]

The line that I changed to red was the only one that went from the hub flange to the rim. I copied it upward - distance doesn't matter. Used 3 of the 4 endpoints (bottom-left, bottom-right, top-right) to create a new (3-point) UCS. Created another new UCS by rotation about the Y (I think) axis.Placed the new circle on the ENDpoint of the original line.

(another nutter who's here in the middle of the night :) )

[ukdodger]

The line that I changed to red was the only one that went from the hub flange to the rim. I copied it upward - distance doesn't matter. Used 3 of the 4 endpoints (bottom-left, bottom-right, top-right) to create a new (3-point) UCS. Created another new UCS by rotation about the Y (I think) axis.Placed the new circle on the ENDpoint of the original line.

(another nutter who's here in the middle of the night :) )

Thanks John I appreciate all your hard work. Moving the UCS is new to me but I'll hack away at it. Cheers.

Consider yourself having been bought a beer.

RD

[jaberwok]

Thanks John I appreciate all your hard work. Moving the UCS is new to me but I'll hack away at it. Cheers.

Consider yourself having been bought a beer.

RD

Cheers.

If you're going to continue doing 3d in versions earlier than 2007 it's essential to be able to play with co-ordinate systems. Make sure you have the View toolbar visible. The first 6 buttons (the views on the cube surfaces) not only change the view, they also change to a co-ordinate system based on that view. The other 4 buttons (isometric views) change the view but do not change co-ordinate system.
Have fun - move on to using solids.

[ukdodger]

Cheers.

If you're going to continue doing 3d in versions earlier than 2007 it's essential to be able to play with co-ordinate systems. Make sure you have the View toolbar visible. The first 6 buttons (the views on the cube surfaces) not only change the view, they also change to a co-ordinate system based on that view. The other 4 buttons (isometric views) change the view but do not change co-ordinate system.
Have fun - move on to using solids.

Thanks John. There's a website selling 2008 for £20. What do you think? How does it compare with 2004?

Roger

[jaberwok]

Thanks John. There's a website selling 2008 for £20. What do you think? How does it compare with 2004?

Roger


@ £20 it won't be legal or licenceable.
It requires more oomph from the hardware.

[jaberwok]

Just for fun, here's a very rough approximation of a bicycle wheel -

[ukdodger]

Just for fun, here's a very rough approximation of a bicycle wheel -

Very sexy actually. How long did it take you to do that? In 2008?

[jaberwok]

Very sexy actually. How long did it take you to do that? In 2008?

about 1.5 hours using 2010 but only using tools available since the 2002 release.

edit:- I had to read up on the way the spokes go - google "bicycle wheel spoke lacing" if you want to know more.

[ukdodger]

about 1.5 hours using 2010 but only using tools available since the 2002 release.

edit:- I had to read up on the way the spokes go - google "bicycle wheel spoke lacing" if you want to know more.

Thanks JB. Someday when I can afford 2010 or someone gives it away free I'll try doing that. It's certainly useful seeing things in a more lifelike way. I only wished I knew as much about AC as I do about bicycle wheels. I build bicycle frames and decided to start using AC to lay out the design. It's a lot easier tweaking things on screen than it is on paper or to the metal. There is a BikeCad package but it's not flexible enough.

All the best. I've no doubt I'll be back for more advice. Cheers.
Roger

[jaberwok]

I'm sure you can do all you want in 2004 - just keep playing. :)

[JD Mather]

or someone gives it away free I'll try doing that.

Autodesk does give away 2010 free to students and faculty. (not a student? do you have a kid?)

Free software at http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity - nearly 1 million members.

No way I would fool with this design in AutoCAD - far easier in Autodesk Inventor.

[ukdodger]

Autodesk does give away 2010 free to students and faculty. (not a student? do you have a kid?)

Free software at http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity - nearly 1 million members.

No way I would fool with this design in AutoCAD - far easier in Autodesk Inventor.

Interesting. Thanks a lot.