How to intersect Lines with surface

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am using BricsCAD, because I have Linux. My task was in macro draw about 20 000 lines to intersect the surface (in reality there are two surfaces of the solid plate). My task is done on the half. I have the lines, but on surface are no intersections (doesn't matter points or intersection segments of lines). My colleague has AutoDesk. It is possible to finish this work to create the intersections of the lines and surface some easy manner (i.e. not to click on the each point of intersection manually)?

There is original question from BricsCAD forum. In attachement is inner surface and one line intersecting it.

https://www.bricsys.com/common/support/forumthread.jsp?id=31483

Thank You forward for answer,

Hariprasad

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

I am not totally sure about what you are trying to accomplish but I can take a stab at this if you can attach an AutoCAD drawing for me to see with what you are already doing. My first feeling is that you might be able to create an array in AutoCAD that does this but I need to see more closely what you are doing.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[beyoungjr]

Based upon your png image I suppose you are trying to send the line toward a spherical or otherwise swept surface/solid?

I sometimes struggle with this on irregular surfaces as well.  On a flat surface I have had pretty good luck setting the UCS to align with the surface I am targeting and I add a line across an edge of the solid.  The line I want to drive toward the solid will then Extend in it's own path but only as far as the line I placed on the solid in the active UCS with my view aligned to the UCS.

For the irregular shapes I have only one solution that has worked for me...

Save a second working copy of your drawing file.

1. Ensure your irregular model (sphere or otherwise) is a solid 3D model, not surface.
2. Generate a cylinder using your line as an axis.
3. Elongate the cylinder through your solid model and subtract the irregular model from the cylinder.
4. The cylinder will appear broken by the irregular shape of the initial solid and you will have to use the "separate solids" command to divide the two parts.
5. Delete the portion that extended beyond your desired model shape.
6. With a cylinder that terminates with the irregular shape, you can view the cylinder in xray or wireframe and you can extend your line, or create a new one, to the termination point that would be at the irregular end of the cylinder.

Wow, I hope you can follow that?  I almost lost myself;)

Maybe I'll try to make a video sample if I get time.

Good Luck

[Anonymous]

Hello John,

more precisely. The final task is to drill into sheet metal (about 2mm strong) in shape similar shell of egg about 20 thousand holes according coordinates (known is azimuth and elevation). I did in BricsCAD (not in AutoCAD) those lines, which intersect this shape using programmatically generated macro. So lines are there. Now I need the intersections lines with shape.

My idea was, that it will be done automatically. But it is not true. Than I supposed, that I can select all lines in one layer, select this shape and do simply (boolean) intersect. The result should be 20 000 small pieces of lines in the place, where are holes. But in BricsCAD v16 is not this function. My question is: It is some similar function in AutoCAD? My colleague has AutoCAD, but he don't now how to do it. If it is posible, I must not doing complicated tries in BricsCAD and simply say him, how to continue.

Best regards, Hariprasad

[Anonymous]

Hello Blyoung,

it is a good idea to change line into cylinder. Cylinder is a shape. I will try, and if it is will work, than I try to mimic programmatically. We need to draw 20 thousand small cylinders. 🙂  My problem is, that I am programmer, not designer in CAD, so I understand this CAD problematic very little.

Best regards,

Hariprasad

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Did @beyoungjr's thorough suggestion help you to resolve this problem?  Please add a post with how you decided to proceed.