Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Hi /b/!

I am stumped on a problem. I am trying to create a bottle holder for a bike or whatever. I go the jist of working with multiple work planes to create half of the contour I wanted and then sweeping it to create the metal frame for the thing. Mirror completed the part. But as you can see here my edges are all right angled. I know I can fillet the edges out, but I wanted to fillet the tubing instead to give the appearance of having been bent out of a single metal rod. I tried filleting between the lines, but it doesn0t work (I think cuz I created the lines on separate work planes).

Can anyone help or point in the correct direction? Am I supposed to make the guide line in a single sketch? If so, please do tell how.

All help greatly appreciated.

Original work file in attachments below.

[#2]

You need work on the visualization. Numerous workplanes are not needed.

I created one workplane in the model to build the overall skeleton. The skeleton was used to create a 3D sketch by including the skeleton geometry. I then added bends in the 3D Sketch. One workplane was created at the end of the path so that the sweep profile could be made. No need to fillet Sketches one, two and three.

Post your end result back.

[#3]

Hi.

First, let me start by thanking you for the reply. So, if I understand correctly, I trace the tube path in one go, changing my perspective as I go? I can understand that, but how do I go about changing the line direction? I have tried selecting a different plane at the end of the line, but Inventor won't let me unless it's a new sketch. ANy video tutorials or examples out there for me to see?

[#4]

Drag the EOP marker up in my file. Then step it down one notch at a time to see how I created the skeleton. I only needed one workplane for the skeleton creation.

I'll be out for the day. Hopefully someone else can help.

[#5]

Ok. So I built a skeleton using different planes (not workplanes) and then using that skeleton created the path with a new 3D Sketch. The resulting part does look better and I do have some bends in there now. Thanks for that, btw. Much better.

But some intersections are still not bent. Suggestions?

Link to images here!

And the altered part file below:

[#6]

It looked to me like you were doing too much work.
Drag down the EOP step--by-step in attached.

[#7]

I swear to God I am pulling the End Of Part down, and I see what both of you did. You seem to have created "outlines" or "guides" for the 3D Sketch. That much I have understood. But I can't for the life of me figure out how you go from that to the 3D Sketch. Do you convert the lines or something? I swear I am trying here Please don't give up on me. Is there any chance for a short video so I can see how it was done?

JD's is perfect. I just can't figure out how you did the 3D Sketch from those 2D's.

[#8 · Accepted solution]

See Tutorial 7 here http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/content/DSG322/inventor_surface_tutorials.htm

and attached image.

[#9]

Here's a custom video for you. I started with the existing sketch1...

BTW, I have a 32 hour live web training class starting July 12th. Check it out.

More info here: http://teknigroup.com  go to Events link.

Video link: http://teknigroup.com/Videos/2012Q2/3D%20Sweep1/3D%20Sweep1.html

[#10]

Thanks to both for the great help (and video). It was just what I needed. As for the course, I wish I had the money to spare. But I don't.

I am trying my best to learn as much as possible by myself since I am not getting any support from work. As far as they are concerned, it's "figure it out yourself" all the way.

I'd like to make a couple of more questions. One is related to this part (well, actually aplicable to any part) and the other I'll opena  new topic because it's related to an assembly. Related to this part, I know I can change the aspect of the part by selecting the body and then going to the material dropbox and selecting corresponding materials. But what if I want red polished aluminium or chrome? How can I select the material (say Chrome) and make it red or blue or whatever color I want?