3D Stair Rails - How To draw them

[taoist]

Please see image of "L" shaped stairs with handrail.

Use of Nurb Curves and Loft Surface tools

I will post the step by step process.

I owe a tremendous thanks to a fellow VW user on this one.

taoist

[taoist]

Building Shell Tool Set

Plan view

Draw Stairs

Switch to 3D Tool Set

Use 3D locus to set location points for railing

Usually at leading edge of stair treads, landings

You can switch views to make sure you have them located properly

Offset 3D Locus points vertically using Move 3D Z axis

Usually 34" to 38" vertical from top of treads

Offset 3D Locus points to account for railing thickness or whatever distance off the walls so you can grab the rail

Change to 3D Tool Set

Select Nurbs Curve 1st option - Interpolation point mode

Make sure Curve Degree is set to one (1) (straight line) or you will get curves as you click on Locus points

Click on each Locus Point and double click on last point to end rail path

Select rail profile from browser and place on drawing

Select profile and Modify > Convert > Convert to Group

This now makes the profile polylines

Convert this to Nurbs - Modify > Convert > Convert to Nurbs

Switch to right side view and rotate profile to the left 90 degrees so it is vertical. You could switch to left side view and rotate profile to the right.

To get profile angle correct to match slop of stairs. draw a line along one of the Nurbs Curve slopes and note angle.

Rotate profile to this angle

Delete the line

Select Loft Surface Tool

Choose 1 rail and profile option

Click on rail (Nurbs Curve) you just created and click on profile

Click on the green check mark at the Loft Surface tool bar

Loft Creation Menu pops up

Check Create Solids and Keep Curves

You now have a 3D rail that matches the slope of the stairs.

I may have skipped a step or 2.

I will review and correct in a future post.

taoist

Edited August 21, 2011 by taoist

[taoist]

Another view of the handrails

[Itchy]

Whats the benefit to lofting over EAP?

I built this handrail using similar methods of Loci/Nurbs/3D polgons and a circle, then used EAP.

Once thing i did learn was that if you are doing curves, make sure it is done with a nurb arc.

Stair itself was actually an extruded polygon - much easier that trying to get the stair tool to do what they ended up building on site.

Edited August 22, 2011 by Xsasinator

[taoist]

Would you please explain how you did your process step by step?

Sounds quite interesting.

Normally using EAP for this "twists" the rails as it goes up the incline and turns.

Where did you get the handrail brackets?

I am in the process of building a stair rail parts library.

Easements, goosenecks, quarter turns, etc.

Have you tried using a railing profile?

From what I can see, your railings look round.

Look forward to your response.

This would be great!

taoist

[Itchy]

Yeah no problem, i have attached some images also (using win7 snip function) (nothing special or fancy)

As per my previous image, the stair is two straight flights with a U landing - as you can see the second flight start is offset by the width of the tread to help with making a smooth handrail junction - i also run the rail flat at the middle landing also - to avoid the 'twist' you speak of.

Step by Step (assuming you already have your stair in place)

1. Go into a front view (or left depending on stair orientation)

2. Turn off classes that you don't need to view to make things easier to identify.

3. Unified View needs to be off

4. Draw the line of the stair pitch and move up to desired height

5. Add any flat extensions required.

6. With the 3 lines selected, Compose and then Modify>Convert>Convert to Nurbs

7. Repeat 4-6 as required for the next flight

8. Switch to plan view, and move into desired location - note that the Nurb line indicates the center of the rail.

9. Switch to a 3D view, and you will see the path of the handrail forming. 10. Now we combine them using Nurbs Curve from the modeling tool set, then select all 3 and Compose. You will now end up with one Nurbs curve.

11. Switch to plan view, and draw your handrail profile, for me it was a 50? circle. Class the circle as required.

12. Select profile & Nurbs curve and Model>EAP. Make sure the Nurb selected as the path and hit OK

For my stair i needed a handrail on both sides so rather than repeating steps 4-9, before i joined the two nurbs curves i duplicated, and align in plan on the other side of the stair, and extended through the OIP the length of the landing. Changing the move function to vertex only, using the bullet to ensure you have the correct vertex and then using then inputting the length (+/-) into the X/Y dependent on Stair orientation. Repeat with opposite side and the same length amount, then continue with #9-12

Handrail brackets i created myself - got the dimensions off the web from the supplier, then with a combinations of extrudes and EAP i built the bracket in 3D and made into a symbol - did this for both the wall & glass brackets. Rotate in front view to suit stair pitch

No i have not tried Railing Profile, the above is the way that i know so the way i do - we don't always go to this extent and model every stair.

If you know the parameters of you handrail you can pull a rail together very quick. I timed myself doing steps 1-12 and was under 2 minutes. 3rd time doing it though, first time for the job, second time to write down steps and images, 3rd time to time myself.

Hope that helps, let me know if you need any clarification.

[taoist]

Thanks for the reply.

Will try that tonight when I get home.

Will be interesting to see effects using a handrail profile

using this method.

taoist

[taoist]

This is what I have found out so far.

You can use lines, arcs, fillet to form Nurbs path for handrails

Once path is created, Modify > Compose

Then convert to Nurbs Modify > Convert > Convert to Nurbs

You can elevate your Nurbs path either before it is a Nurb (all lines selected) or after it is a Nurb.

In Top/Plan view

Select profile

If profile top is facing up, you will need to rotate the profile to the right.

Otherwise handrail is extruded sideways

Convert profile to Group CTRL + K for Windows

or Modify > Convert > Convert to Group

Convert to Nurbs Modify > Convert > Convert to Nurbs

Select profile and Nurbs path

Model > Extrude along path

Make sure that the Nurbs path is highlited usually blue

The image I have posted shows 3 rails

Left rail is right rotated profile and uses lines and arcs

Middle rails non rotated profile using lines and arcs

Right rail is rotated profile using lines and curved fillet

taoist

Edited August 24, 2011 by taoist