3D tubing lisp challenge
3D tubing lisp challenge
(OP)
Let me start this challenge with the statement that "I definitely am not a lsp writer" and this post might be a little long.
In my recent self imposed crusade to find an automated routine to extrude a shape along a path in 3d space using ACAD2004 has come up dry. I have tested and tried over 20 different routines that I have found for extruding and none will pass. I have and use a number of methods to do this "manually" but all are very time consuming and full of places where errors and problems creep in. The most evident thing I found was the vast number of people looking for a similar thing. Personally I want to use it to make formed wire parts & I have seen people looking for same for tubing, drainage pipe, plumbing & wiring. All the lisp routines out on the web that I and others have found don't work on 90% of what I need to do and were written back in the early 90"s.
It is a very simple thing to make a "3d poly" and extrude a shape along its length in 3d space as long as there is no radius requirements in the path. A drawn arc can be turned into a lt weight poly but can't be joined to the 3d poly to form a continuous path which stops the ACAD extrusion process.
Here is the basis for the lisp challenge to whom wants to take it on.
(1.) Be able to group pick a series of lines & arcs drawn in free 3d space.
(2.) For the lack of better terms "Chain or Join" them into a useable path.
(3.) Pick a drawn shape or shapes at one end of this path to be extruded along it.
(4.) Extrude this shape or shapes to be a solid so holes or cuts can be subtracted from it.
Good luck and a bunch of people are looking...................
Tks
Gene
In my recent self imposed crusade to find an automated routine to extrude a shape along a path in 3d space using ACAD2004 has come up dry. I have tested and tried over 20 different routines that I have found for extruding and none will pass. I have and use a number of methods to do this "manually" but all are very time consuming and full of places where errors and problems creep in. The most evident thing I found was the vast number of people looking for a similar thing. Personally I want to use it to make formed wire parts & I have seen people looking for same for tubing, drainage pipe, plumbing & wiring. All the lisp routines out on the web that I and others have found don't work on 90% of what I need to do and were written back in the early 90"s.
It is a very simple thing to make a "3d poly" and extrude a shape along its length in 3d space as long as there is no radius requirements in the path. A drawn arc can be turned into a lt weight poly but can't be joined to the 3d poly to form a continuous path which stops the ACAD extrusion process.
Here is the basis for the lisp challenge to whom wants to take it on.
(1.) Be able to group pick a series of lines & arcs drawn in free 3d space.
(2.) For the lack of better terms "Chain or Join" them into a useable path.
(3.) Pick a drawn shape or shapes at one end of this path to be extruded along it.
(4.) Extrude this shape or shapes to be a solid so holes or cuts can be subtracted from it.
Good luck and a bunch of people are looking...................
Tks
Gene





RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
I never can extrude any other shape on a 3d Phat.
Pardal
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
Hope this helps.
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
Like you have mentioned, a 3dpoly can't be filleted. One option would be to have a set of blocks with the different diameters and radii made, and then have a routine to insert the different blocks. Another option would be to have a routine to simply draw the "elbow" if you will, and then copy and paste that into the different corners.
What I have done in the past was to first draw the 3dpoly, and then trace each plane with a pline and fillet it, and after everything was done, extrude and combine. Not as efficient as what you have suggested.
Flores
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
Try this...it is a little trying, but it will make a smooth extrusion.
Create a path with 3D poly lines & Lt. weight 2D poly arcs.
Go to one end and draw a poly closed loop (extrusion profile) so that the z axis is normal to the center of the
path. Do extrude > path, and pick the line. The profile will be extruded to the first bend. Then do "extrude faces" and pick the tube....the whole tube may or may not be picked according to where you pick, but in any case, do a shift pick to unpick the rest of the tube....only the profile will be left picked. do an extrude > path, and pick the bend....then do it again and again until you are done. this will make a smooth solid. I didn't say it was elegant...but it works.
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
Challenge Completed
I've just finished a couple of routines that should do the job nicely.
#1. extrudes a selected region along multiple paths (curves). The region is in WCS and is copied into place each time and extruded along each curve. The use of a region was chosen because its easier for hollow stuff
#2. fillets a 3Dpolyline with a specified radius. The result is a group of lines & arcs that can be used as the paths for #1.
#3. combines #2 & #1 to simplify the process.
OK...
Not sure how to get it to those who want it.
Suggestions?
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=126
news://discussion.autodesk.com/autodesk.autocad.customer-files
- Tracy
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
- Tracy
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
I can't wait to see it & try it.
As twlincoln suggested place it on the acad forum so we can find it.
Thanks
Gene
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
Can you email me <dparc7491@yahoo.com>
the routines you mentioned.
Thanks a bundle.
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
I have just posted the file to the AutoCAD User Group
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=126
Topic:
et: sweep & fillet challenge
http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=306...
Tim.
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
P.S. I'm using AutoCAD 2002 if that matters.
Flores
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
I am having the same problem as SMCADMAN. It seems that as soon as the path leaves the current UCS into another 3D direction....your lsp caves in. Not sure why.
Thanks
Gene
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
smcadman:
using the routine SMC (stands for Sweep multi curves) on the filleted 3Dpoly should create swept 3Dsolids along all of the newly created curves. The three inputs are:
1. Select a REGION (have to turn circle into one) drawn in the WCS.
2. Select the origin of the region (perhaps centre of the 'circle'. MAybe need UCS as WCS when selecting the origin.
3. Select curves (everything except splines) to sweep along
The region is then copied into place & extruded along each curve.
tools4u:
not sure whether your problem is with the fillet routine not working. Sorry, it worked for me.
Or do the notes on using the routine SMC (above) help?
The routine SFP (sweep filleted 3dpoly) can do it all at once.
I didn't set out to create a path that could be extruded upon normally, but gave an alternative and faster way to extrude along multiple paths.
I hope that this has helped.
If not, I'll try to help again later
RE: 3D tubing lisp challenge
The key to this process is the "first & second" conditions of the original request.
(1.) Be able to group pick a series of lines & arcs drawn in free 3d space.
(2.) For the lack of better terms "Chain or Join" them into a useable path.
(3.) Pick a drawn shape or shapes at one end of this path to be extruded along it.
(4.) Extrude this shape or shapes to be a solid so holes or cuts can be subtracted from it.
It appears that making a mixed line & arc path that ACAD will recognize for the extrusion is the real killer.
Good luck