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Flexible Cables in 3D

heidi_taynton3GAN2
Community Visitor

Flexible Cables in 3D

heidi_taynton3GAN2
Community Visitor
Community Visitor

I need a better process. I'm trying to make 3D flexible cables angled in space. The final result needs to angle straight from both pieces of equipment (there will be a connector or something it comes out of) which will be angled differently in space. I have found this process significantly easier in other 3D CAD programs so I'm assuming I am missing something with ACAD here. I am using AutoCAD 2023.

 

I have been creating lines (line 1 and line 2) coming directly out of the object. I attach an additional line (line 3) that connects both original lines. I then fillet the lines (or try to sometimes fiddling with the UCS). I then join the lines using Pedit (or try to). I create a circle at the base and then extrude using the path of the one final line. This almost never works that easily. Issues pop up in the fillet and/or the Pedit. 

 

Note: because the objects will exist in reality, then lines can't turn out weird in space if you know what I mean. They need to droop down to the ground and can't wind up first. 

 

Spline is not an option.  

 

In the attached file, the two objects on layer 0 are the points of exit and the two existing lines show line 1 and 2 and the desired exit angle. The final 3D cable should have an outer diameter of 1.5"

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Respuestas (5)

Washingtonn
Collaborator
Collaborator

1. What is the bend radius you wish to use?

2. clarify your "Note" and show the ground plane as approximate line 3 routing

3. Do you have a rough example of an entire cable?

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leeminardi
Mentor
Mentor

I know that you said "no splines" but a spline is a good place to start as you can get a feel for possible solutions.  YOu can alwats convert the spline to a 3D Polyline.

 

In the attached drawing I used the CV method to create a spline.  The 1st CV is at the end of our red line, the 2nd, using osnap nearest is about halfway along the same red line. The 3rd is a the midpoint of a line (magenta) connecting the two red lines, the 4th is on the other red line, and the 5th at the start of the other red line.  

 

Several configurations ca be had by simply moving the 3rd CV vertcally down (along the yellow line).

 

leeminardi_0-1730512368868.png

leeminardi_1-1730512766269.png

 

 

lee.minardi

mattdVF27J
Advocate
Advocate

not to hijack this thread but I'm wondering in your file what cmd did you invoke to get an extrusion on the spline in the very last step? Many years in 3D BUT not in ACAD. trying to pick up some simple stuff. This looks like a good start.

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heidi_taynton3GAN2
Community Visitor
Community Visitor
I just made a circle perpendicular to the line. Selected the circle and
typed "extrude" then "P" for path. I chose the line as the path.
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leeminardi
Mentor
Mentor

I used sweep to make the "extrustion".  Just create a circle anywhere (it doesn't have to be at the end of the spline) and reference it when you give the sweep command.

 

lee.minardi
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