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Ray Tracing

Ray Tracing

Ray Tracing

(OP)
I am modelling a laser light beam...I'd like to have a circular cross section that expands in diameter at a constant rate.  The path must take right angle corners in 3 axes.

I'm thinking path and sweep with a guide curve...is there a simpler way?

RE: Ray Tracing

ztraina,

   I assume that your laser beams are being reflected by flat mirrors.  I have not tried curved ones yet.

1. Use the rotation feature to create the diverging laser beam.

2. Define the face of mirror 1.

3. Use the face of mirror 1 to mirror your beam.

   Keep doing this for the other mirrors.  You will wind up doing a lot of trimming afterwards, but it is worth it.  You will see exactly what each beam looks like on your mirrors.

   This is great fun to modelling scanners.

                               JHG

RE: Ray Tracing

(OP)
Do you have an example I can look at?  I guess i need some more specifics...I've been looking for the "rotation feature" ....still havent found it.

RE: Ray Tracing

ztraina,

   Oops!  The operation is called "revolution".  

   You need to make a sketch active, and the sketch requires at least one construction line.

   Strictly speaking, you can create an extrusion with a draft angle, but I have found the revolution to be easier to work with.

                                JHG

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