Sweep - How to set up a path in 3d

[stephanschneller]

Hi,

Im trying to set up a sweep and am struggling with the Path.

The path is basically a series of lines in space. (as shown on attachment)

I tried to draw 'structural framing' elements following the path to then when creating the path I wanted to pick the edges of the elements to define the path...unfortunately that did not work that well.

Has anyone a better idea how to set up the path in 3d?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

Stephan

[damon.sidel]

You won't be able to create a sweep in a project or standard family with a 3-dimensional path. Every sweep path I've ever created has to be hosted by a single plane. You could create it as an adaptive component family (or conceptual mass, but the adaptive component would be a little more flexible depending on your needs). I've attached a family. Obviously you'll probably want to change the profile of the sweep, but the bones are there. When you load it into a project, you can place each of the 5 points one level in the correct plan position, then go to a section or elevation and move each point up/down into position.

[contact.andrewk968454]

You won't be able to create a sweep in a project or standard family with a 3-dimensional path. Every sweep path I've ever created has to be hosted by a single plane.

You can do 3D path sweeps in a family by using the Pick Path command. Why would you say it's not possible?

You can do this by creating an extrusion following the plan view layout. Then, in elevation, set the extrusion to be above the reference points that you have in your elevation view there and void away the top to get it to follow the path. Then select sweep, pick path, and, in a 3D view, click on the appropriate lines.

Or, another approach. Draw reference planes in the plan view. In elevation, draw reference lines after choosing the appropriate reference plane as the work plane.

[damon.sidel]

You can do 3D path sweeps in a family by using the Pick Path command. Why would you say it's not possible?

My bad! Guess I never tried hard enough. Thanks for clarifying... I still like my adaptive component.

[contact.andrewk968454]

And it is a good idea. I might actually opt for that process in this case if the points ever need to change.

[stephanschneller]

Thank you very much.

The 'adaptive component solution' seems to work pretty well.

The only problem I got is that when changing the levels in the model the profile seems to twist, which is a shame.

Cheers,

Stephan

[contact.andrewk968454]

Stephan, you'll have to read into adaptive components to see how you can get the profile to not twist, because it is possible to keep the profile vertical. I would offer to help, but my experience with adaptive components is sparse.

[stephanschneller]

Thank you, I shall check this out over the weekend!

[damon.sidel]

The only problem I got is that when changing the levels in the model the profile seems to twist, which is a shame.

Do you want to keep the cross-section of the profile the same along the entire path? If so, it has to twist to be continuous to clean-up at the joints. If you have a profile that is always vertical, it may clean up at all the joints, but the cross-section of the profile would change along each leg, I think. I may be wrong, but I think geometrically you simply can't have a it all in this case.

[stephanschneller]

Thank you, I shall check this out over the weekend!