3D Newel Post New one to view

[taoist]

Here is one I just completed.

Showing in separate parts.

I had to break it down to this level due to the 2D.dwg causing me isues when sweeping turned portion of post.

Missing lines, double arcs.

Red arcs are poly lines that I used to replace the 2D .dwg arcs.

For some reason, sweep does not work correctly for concave profiles using arcs.

I have resolved my earlier issue of what Benson was trying to show me in the other post in this forum.

Now on to balusters.

Edited June 2, 2012 by taoist

[bcd]

A simple sweep, extrude and solid subtraction should get the job done.

[taoist]

bcd,

Yes it will once all the components have been corrected.

Extrude the square portions

Solid Subtraction:

Create profile for solid subraction using circle and polyline tool

Convert both to Nurbs

Loft Surface single rail, make solid

Select both extruded & Loft Surface solid

Model > Select Solids make sure profile solid is highlighted, click OK

Sweeps:

Split Tool 3rd mode is the one I use

Sweep the round (turned) ones

Final:

Align the extrudes, sweeps

When I used sweep on the original 2D turned portions, the 3D became out wider than the original 2D drawing.

This is why I dissasembled the drawing

Depending on the 2D .dwg drawing, sometimes it works sometimes it does not.

fwiw

Edited June 2, 2012 by taoist

[bcd]

If it can be turned on a lathe as a single piece a single sweep will work, as above.

[taoist]

If it can be turned on a lathe as a single piece a single sweep will work, as above.

I have found you must extrude (rectangle, extrude) or use sweep with segements set at 90 separate from turned as sweep can't differentiate turned segments (more than 90) from square segements.

Is there something I am missing?

Would love it to be simpler.

[bcd]

Unless I'm misunderstanding:

a single 3" square extrude for the workpiece

a single 1/2 section as the sweep profile

a locus point to define the sweep axis

here's the file:

[taoist]

bcd,

I use (2) piece extrude.

1 for top, 1 for bottom

Top extrude hase truned edges on top and bottom, see 2D. dwg

Your way sounds way easier.

So you extrude a single full height section

overlay the half profile, (once it is split)

Subtract solids

Sweep

Is this correct?

Edited June 2, 2012 by taoist

[taoist]

bcd,

OK, you're the Master here.

I see the end result but can't figure out how you got there.

How did you create your polyline profile?

Take half of the 2D profile and overlay it on 2D polygon and do some sort of remove solids type operation?

I noticed it does not match the square sections of the 2D profile.

Could you explain this step by step?

It would be a great help.

[bcd]

Flattery always works!

I can't recreate with screenshots right now but here's the gist.

Remember, you're trying to draw a single continuous polyline defining a cutting profile.

So:

split the 2d profile & delete one half. Trim back horizontal lines.

Try to select connected objects and compose - this will help identify problem vertices.

Along the square height of the post keep your cutting profile >= 2.121" from the axis (half the diagonal of the 3" post).

Complete the polyline around the back to form a closed polyline.

It takes a little work to interpret how to create the square to round transition in the profile but a little projection does the trick.

Set a 2d locus on the axis.

Select both polyine & locus and sweep.

Subtract this from the 3" extrude

[taoist]

bcd,

Thanks,

I will be the first to ask if I do not understand something or can't seem to figure it out.

I tip my hat to those who know more than me.

If I was in your neck of the woods, I would treat you to a couple of pints of ale.

I will give it a go and see what happens.

When you say compose that is a tool or function in VW?

Never used it before.

Subtract solids, not section solids?

[Benson Shaw]

Hats off and a chocolate fish to bcd. Much faster and slimmer file size at end.

Make a sweep of area outside the profile, then Solid Subtract the areas where it intersects a full length extruded square.

I am more used to NURBS. They are excellent for many things and often more efficient for file size, render speed, if that's an issue. The solid subtraction works really well here.

Those round to square transitions in the mfg profile are presented in side view and probably do not match the proper curve in the diagonal view, but that should not matter to who ever is seeing your renders.

-B

[*]

Edited June 2, 2012 by Benson Shaw

[taoist]

Thanks to the both of you for helping me understand this.

Will keep practicing so I get better, more efficient at it.

I think I can account for the diagonal issue using bcd's method.

Just a little tweaking to get it.

Like a vertical Lathe where you have a knife of the profile you want and done in one pass (rotation) around the material.

Cool!

Thanks

[bcd]

Thanks guys,

Fish and Ale are always welcome - sounds like the a title to my new book.

glad you got it sorted

[mac@stairworks]

You don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Go here: newenglandstairworks.com

and save yourself a ton of time.

The work has already been done for you!

[taoist]

You don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Go here: newenglandstairworks.com

and save yourself a ton of time.

The work has already been done for you!

Great Find!

Just sent them an e-mail asking about railing components.

Now if we could have an easy way to use these through the OIP!

Manual placement here we come.