Hi,
I want to make a 3D model of a bolt with its threads. My workflow to achieve this is:
This is the concept. Now my problems:
I wonder if the way to go would be to create an adaptive family? The problem is that I know nothing of adaptive families so I wouldn't know where to start.
I also tried a different approach. Instead of creating a void to cut the bolt with, I created the solid geometry consisting of the threads but this approach had its problems too.
How would you go about the problem?
PS: Can't figure out why the file size is so big!
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by constantin.stroescu. Go to Solution.
Solved by Alfredo_Medina. Go to Solution.
Keep it simple. Ignore the 3d thread of the screw. Keep the scope of the work within reasonable terms. It is very easy to go overboard and start spending time (money) adding extra elements that do not add value to the representation of the object in a project. If you add voids, you are making the family slower and heavier. If you go adaptive, you are using an environment that is not appropriate for this kind of object. When I read the title of your message I thought you were doing something like a recreational slide in the shape of a helix, like those slides that we see in cruise ships. But a small bolt? Not worthy in Revit.
Hi Alfredo_Medina,
I understand your point of view and I do agree with you in some way. However, in my case, the 3D screws does add some value. Even though I asked my question in the architecture forum, my discipline is Structure and I would in fact benefit from having the screws in 3D, as I'd like to show 3D views of structural connections. I only asked this in the architecture forum because I thought its users had probably a better understading of the issue in question.
Being so difficult to have the threads in 3D and possibly causing performance issues, I have to agree that I'm better off creating 2D detail items to represent the threads in a 2D view, and ignore them altogether in 3D.
I was just curious if there would be an easy and quick way to accomplish this. Apparently, not!
Thanks for the insight
There is a way to make a parametric helix, but it involves several steps and nested families, which would be more appropriate for a large object such as a recreational slide or a vehicular ramp. It will really be overkill for such a small object, considering that the thread will look as a dark spot in a typical view at 1/4" or 1/8". Usually, for this type of object, there is a model family, simplified, and a detail component (flat) family that you can use for your details, showing the thread with simple lines.
agreed!
I agree with Alfredo about the bolt ...it is not worth to make it in 3d.
But , anyway , supposing that you'll want to make a biger helix...then maybe the method described below can be useful for you...:
save mass element as a Family asign it a material parameter and load it into your
project
Constantin Stroescu
Thanks a lot for your input!
That's a very good technique
Once upon a time.... about 6 years ago, I had the same ideas you are thinking. But to answer your ps question, never use a swept blend...ever. It is the culprit for your unexplained file size. Unfortunately we didn't have adaptive families back then so I had to accomplish most of what you are asking for with the family editor. I also created a spring and a rope column. All are very parametric...length,diameter,pitch etc. Let me know if you have any questions on how I created.
Good Luck
hai boss
please help me about this family creation i have some question
1. i didn't-see diameter parameter
2. profile width parameter how to add
I wrote this blog article some 5 years ago (link below); maybe this useful for what you want to do:
http://planta1.com/blog/how-to-create-a-parametric-helix-with-multiple-loops/
Another post you might be interested in, is one I wrote last year using spiral stairs...
https://revitlink.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/creating-helix-in-revit-using-stairs.html
@spike14me wrote:Once upon a time.... about 6 years ago, I had the same ideas you are thinking. But to answer your ps question, never use a swept blend...ever. It is the culprit for your unexplained file size. Unfortunately we didn't have adaptive families back then so I had to accomplish most of what you are asking for with the family editor. I also created a spring and a rope column. All are very parametric...length,diameter,pitch etc. Let me know if you have any questions on how I created.
Good Luck
These families are amazing! Thank you so much! In your spring family however, the "hook length" parameter isn't associated to the hook. I think I know how to fix it though. Thanks again for this great starting point to develop the spring family and bolts with threads that I need.
You CAN just import SAT files downloaded from McMaster-Carr into a generic model family for pretty much any fastener you like.
Whether that's the right approach or not depends on you, but it is possible.
Is creating bolts and nuts and screws with threads (and counting them) the new normal now?
I feel like a dinosaur.
Most certainly not. At least, not in the Architectural world.
But we're not far away from computing power and software ability that makes just throwing in a real 3D modeled bolts everywhere just as easy as - and without significant consequence compared to - using only a detail item in a detail view.