topic Re: Loft Command in Inventor Forum

Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:56:37 GMT

Hi all,

I am using the Loft command as it is the most appropriate option in a work project I am trying to complete.

Firstly, I have created several planes offset at various distances through Autodesk Inventor.

Is it possible to copy and paste AutoCad drawing detail to each individual plane or do you have to draw each detail on each plane?

Then, the plan is to use the loft command and connected each plane detail along a path to create a solid structure.

I am trying to create a hull of a ship, each frame will be added to each offset plane beginning with the stern or back of the ship along a path to the bow or end frame of the ship.

My query is, rather than drawing each frame detail for every plane, is it possible to copy and paste an AutoCad drawing detail into this Inventor process.

I am trying see if it is possible to create the hull design using this method. Most of the frames details are the same size and reduce in size and shape as it develops to the front of the hull shape.

Anyone with experience of same that is able to offer any suggestions or advice will be welcome.

Niall

Re: Loft Command

throttle1253Z225 — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:23:20 GMT

You could use AutoCAD sketches, but it will be unintelligent geometry. You could bring them in with sketch blocks, but if you want to tweak and change later, it will be more involved than just sketching the geometry you want. You can make intelligent relationships etc. Are your cross sections really that complex?

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 09:56:43 GMT

Hi throttle1253Z225,

Thanks for the advice. As you suggest the detail is not that complex and it is only a test using loft. The frames in question are more or less U shaped with various widths and depths. I just thought there may have been an option within the software where you can transfer the detail rather than redraw!

Obviously there are dedicated software for ship design.

I suppose the Autodesk software such as Inventor is not really adapted for drawing complex designs such as ships hull formation. Unless you have any links or examples of the software demonstrating how it would create a ships hull!

I have watched various youtubes of small boat hull design using the loft command but not large ships hulls.

Any help or insight will be appreciated.

Niall

Re: Loft Command

JDMather — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 11:06:12 GMT

@niall.rasmussen wrote:

...is it possible to copy and paste an AutoCad drawing detail into this Inventor process.

@niall.rasmussen

Can you Attach an example AutoCAD dwg file here?

Re: Loft Command

johnsonshiue — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 20:58:41 GMT

Hi! I believe you may leverage DWG Underlay workflow. Start a new part in Inventor -> Import -> select the dwg file -> select an origin plane and the center point to place the DWG geometry as a transparency. Then create a sketch -> Project DWG Geometry -> window-select the desirable geometry to project.

You may need to repeat the process to build up the sketches before creating the Loft.

Many thanks!

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:43:55 GMT

Hi,

Again thanks for your advice and suggestion.

I have attached some images to reference my project.

Niall

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:50:57 GMT

Hi,

Again thanks for your advice and suggestion.

I have attached some images to reference my project.

Niall

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:06:23 GMT

Hi,

My previous post have included some images of the frame details I was considering adding to each plane in the loft command process. Now I would only create the basic outline u shape. Each frame would be position at their estimated height from frame 6 forward to frame -6.

I haven't attempted this method as of yet, but I was wondering if this method would work with this AutoCad command. All advice is really appreciated.

Has this type of design model been done within the AutoCad Software products?

Can anyone offer their knowledge with this query.

I know other software products are specifically designed to create this type of design, but I was hoping to know if this is capable within the AutoCad Software range!

I feel that all the advice through Autodesk, I have researched, viewed or been presented with has all been geared toward the Architectural field of design.

Please allow for my rant, but anyone who is able to direct me within the Autodesk field that could help me create this design shape which is "Ships hull design", will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Niall

Re: Loft Command

JDMather — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:10:33 GMT

No AutoCAD *.dwg file(s) Attached?

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:13:39 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Would this be unintelligent geometry if I tried to copy and past the exact detail of each frame and would the loft command pick up each of the frame details added ad it moves along its path from frame to frame to create this particular shape?

Niall

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:16:47 GMT

HI,

No, it is jpeg files with images for you to view, hope you can open them.

Do you require .dwg file?

Niall

Re: Loft Command

JDMather — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:36:59 GMT

@niall.rasmussen wrote:

Do you require .dwg file?

Yes.

Let's cut to the end.

I will make significant wager that the AutoCAD geometry is little more than "pretty picture" quality.

You are asking if you can use the already created AutoCAD geometry and if I had that geometry I bet I can demonstrate to you that it is poor quality. I would use it only as reference in creating proper geometry.

Re: Loft Command

niall.rasmussen — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:37:24 GMT

Hi,

'Let's cut to the end' a bit abrupt I feel, but thanks for your input

Regards

Niall