AutoCAD/3D Helix

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/20/2003


Question
I am trying to render a 3D helix and I'm not able to do so.  I have tried to extrude on the path of a spline that I created in the shape I need and that didn't work.  I was wondering if there was a way or not?
Thanks

Answer
I have heard yeas and nays about helix programs.  Some say it can't be done with the tools that Autodesk provides, and others are satisfied with the look that they can create.  (By the way, I know a man in Portland Oregon who works for an engineering firm and who has the same first name as you do.)  There are LISP programs that create screw threads with surface modeling.  I have one and it can render very nicely, but it depends on the resolution that you choose at the beginning of the routine.  Autodesk supplied a routine in one of their releases of AutoCAD.  It was called 3Dspiral.lsp and was written by A. Dudek in 1993.
One 3D helix program is located here:
http://www.ingersollconsulting.com/Helix.lsp
Some instruction on advanced 3D modeling can be found here:
http://www.ingersollconsulting.com/Advanced%203D%20Solids%20PPT.pdf

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

AutoCAD

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bill DeShawn

Expertise

I can address all 2-D questions and some 3-D questions. I do programming in AutoLISP if it doesn`t involve solid modeling. I can also address menu customization issues and can help you find answers to questions I can`t answer by taking your question directly to Autodesk via their newsgroups.

Experience

I used to do electronic and mechanical design for a flat panel monitor manufacturer, and now I do architectural drafting for an architect. I did and do AutoLISP and menu customization and take pride in making my lisp routines to do the work exactly the way the client likes them done.

Publications
I had a routine published in CADENCE magazine (no longer in publication and taken over by CADALYST). Some of my routines are published on my website at http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.