App for pipeline 3D sketches

[wersy]

Hi,

Currently, 3D sketches are very cumbersome to draw, especially for piping.

Although I have found a way, it is still much too cumbersome. (see screencast)

I can imagine to determine the path with absolute coordinate points, and optionally with relative values.

Since 99.9% of all arcs have the same radius, one should be able to specify a radius for all arcs without having to first select and round each corner.

The individual leg lengths and pipe elbows angles should be automatically measured, or at least to able to measure, which is particularly helpful for room arches.

At the moment the number of degrees can only be determined by measuring.

Michael

[jssdesign]

Good skill!

[subversivespeed]

the way I found around this was to make preset pipe sections of the degrees I wanted, then use the JOINT command, then, as pieces get into place I GROUND them so they won't move, then add the next section, etc. Then, once everything is in place. JOIN/COMBINE all the sections as required to make a single piece. I had to do this to allow it to be moved to another piece of software to get the bend list for a rollcage and various other items. Its not perfect, but its not horrible either. I rather like the workflow better for some things, although, hey, more workflows equals more happy in my book. 🙂 

[wersy]

Hi @subversivespeed

Thank you very much for your suggestion.
I want to try your method as your workflow is much better than mine.
But my English is not good enough to understand it entirely.
So please, could you make a screencast?
It would help me very much.
Many thanks in advance.

Michael

[jeevesme]

I don't understand why you created the planes, the square sketch geometry, and the projections just for that. I can do this in 30 seconds without doing all that. What am I missing?

[wersy]

Hi @jeevesme

Thank you for your comment.
I thought I need at least one plane to get points for a space diagonal path.
My main goal was to get the entire path parametric.
Now I made further tries with two pipes.
I am very frustated as I found out that the only thing which keeps parametric is the pipe diameter.
No, radius, no pipe distance, nothing else.

Is it possible the way you are draw:
1. To draw space diagonal (diagonal simultaneous in two direktions)
2. To get the entire path parametric
3. To get the radius of elbows parametric
4. To get pipe spacing parametric
5. To draw several pipes constrained to each other

Michael

[jeevesme]

1. Yes

2. No

3. No

4. No

5. No

I am looking for better 3d sketching and piping support much like you are. Right now, it just isn't efficient to use for what we need.