Extrude "Along a Curve" at a "Varying Scale" in One Step

 

Follow these steps to extrude an object along a curve at a varying scale. For purposes of this demonstration DesignCAD 3D Max Plus was used. Click the thumbnail images to see larger views.

1. Create a path to extrude over.

For pipes, hoses, cables or whatever object you need to create make a line of the path. For this example, a semi circle was used. Draw menu > Arc > Semi Circle, set a point for each end of the semi circle. To see this best, use Fit to Window (hotkey combo = Control + Shift + W).

2. Create the shape of the pipe or cable.

For this example a circle will be used. Draw menu > Circle > Circle (or press the hotkey O for circle), set two points. Make the circle smaller in proportion to the line. 

 

3. Extrude the shape over the circle.

This is where the ease and grace of DesignCAD shows through. First, select the shape you'll be extruding across the path. In this case, snap on the circle. It's important to set the blue handle onto the center of the object (especially if it's not a circle). So with it selected, use Set Handles (hotkey is Control + H). Set it to be 'center' by either clicking the Set Handles At field and selecting Center or by tabbing to the floating dialog box and pressing the down arrow until Center is selected.

Now start the extrusion. Select the Extrude command (hotkey is X). Be sure that all three options are turned on here - Varying Scale, Along a Curve and Perpendicular Extrude (It's most likely you want to use perpendicular extrude. If you aren't sure call for free Tech Support at 918/824-1159).

Now set the points for the varying scale along the path. Set two if you need two, set 5, 6, 7 points, whatever you need. This is done best by snapping to the path (hotkey for line snap is K). Look at this image real closely and you'll see there are 5 points arbitrarily set onto the path. These points let you control the varying scale.

To control the scale of each point, use the Point buttons and the Extrusion Scale options in the Extrude dialog box. For this example, I'll set Point 2 to be 2 on the extrusion scale. Then click the Point arrow for point 1.5. Set the scale for 3. Go to point 4 and keep it at 1. Go to point 5 and set it to 1.5. Then press Enter and see the extrusion appear. Shade it to see it best (hotkey for shading is F8).

The extrusion can be along various paths (not just the semi circle used for demonstration. Points for the fixed angles can be set where you want.

 

 

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