AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

Hello,

I'm working on a drawing which requires me to rotate 3D rectangles until they are leaning against each other like dominos.  Because they are standing on a curved path only one top corner of each will touch the adjacent rectangle, and because each one is shorter than the last the point at which they touch is different every time.  There are over 40 rectangles.

I have no problem picking the correct axis of rotation for each but I want to avoid time-consuming calculations for the angle of each or the reference Point for each.  Ideally I'd like AutoCAD to rotate until it recognizes that the solids are interfering.

Is there a command or a LISP for this?  If not I'd appreciate any suggestions for other approaches that aren't too time-consuming.

Thanks very much for your help,

Sage

[#2]

Two ways to do this

1. Align

2. use Geometric Constriants (Parametric tab).

maybe 3rd way draw circle radius of rotation to find intersection point.

Attach your file here.

[#3]

Hi JD, thanks for the reply!

I've attached an example - eventually all the rectangles on the arc will be extruded but I've done enough to play with for now.  The three leaning ones were done by rotating just with trial and error and are all slightly off from where they should be as a result.  The photo shows how the panels in the drawing should end up.

As I mentioned in the original post these are 3D solids so I'm not sure how to go about using your suggestions.

I really appreciate any help.

[#4 · Accepted solution]

You would need to set the position of the endmost (flatest) plate first.

I would do this assembly in a product like Autodesk Inventor where you would have Assembly Constraints and Contact Sets.

I will try to remember to work up an example solution later today.

In Inventor I would set the angle of the first plate

then constrain the second plate by line edge to rotate and then drag until Contact is detected.

Ground that second plate and then move on to the 3rd plate following the same proceedure.

[#5 · Accepted solution]

You could try this as a geometric approach:

Creat a circle at the rotation point of the domino to be rotated (Pic 1), turn this circle into a region using REGION (pic 2)

imprint the region on the domino to be 'leaned against' using IMPRINT (pic 3), rotate domino to endpoint of imprint

[#6]

Thanks to you both!  I'll experiment with both approaches.

Much appreciated!

[#7]

Thank you!  I'm still very interested to see your work-up if you have the time.  I've never used inventor but look forward to testing this process out with it.

Thanks!

[#8]

Thank you for the reply! I'll look at this first thing Monday. Much appreciated.