Helix Evolution

[dinocoglitore]

Hello Fusion followers, my approach to Fusion dates back to no more than a year ago. But from the beginning I was attracted from the power of scripting in Python using the Fusion Api.

I would like to share with you the last article I wrote about the creation of Helixes.

In learning Api and scripting, I started with an empirical method for creating a Helix with some functionality that the Coil operation directly doesn’t support like for example changing the kind of axes. ( http://autode.sk/2dBzRUU )

Now the Helix script evolved and I tried to give to the Helix a pattern that is quite different from a simple cylinder or a cone. The profiles that can be add to the Helix gives a lot of possibilities in creating very complex models.

You can read the article at this link https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autodeskhelp/helix-evolution/ba-p/7030338 and you can see a video that sums up different Helix creations at the link https://youtu.be/GQhX9uWbJxs

Please don’t forget that the goal of the article is just didactic and the main purpose is to expand my knowledge on Api functionality.

Every comment or criticism is appreciate and every advice to improve the script is welcome.

I hope my experience will be useful for the community. 

Many Thanks

Dino

[ekinsb]

Hi Dino,

Very nice.

[dinocoglitore]

I thank you  a lot. Your message has a great importance for me.

Dino

[sgraves]

@dinocoglitore

This is awesome.  And it inspires me for a use of this technique.  Not so much in Fusion 360 (but may be).   But as a design technique for 3D objects in general.  I have created a CNC rod bender and a website to create designs to bend.  I have been trying to come up with some ways to make the design of rod/wire structures simpler and more intuitive.  The helix structure is brilliant!!! 

It can be made so that the structure does not get caught up in the machine.  The part would just grow from the side of the machine.  While it is not as flexible as I have envisioned, it is a simple technique that would probably give many people great pleasure creating designs.

The web site below has my beta design tool.  It is based on OpenJSCAD and uses WebGL.  For me it runs best on Firefox.

http://bendingrod.com/

[Anonymous]

Great job buddy,

Keep it up!

[Anonymous]

Very nice! I'd love to see the code.

I'm mostly curious how you are dealing with spline accuracy, if you are dealing with it. I've found that it takes about 4 spline nodes before the spline adequately approximates the 3D curve I want - e.g. I've made basic cylindrical helixes and when viewing them "top-down" it takes about 4 spline nodes before the splines look like a circle from this view.

[dinocoglitore]

Hi sgraves, thanks a lot for your reply. I’m sorry for the delay of my answer. I’m very glad that you take inspiration from this article even if you use another 3D software. I enjoyed a lot writing the code and it is a pleasure for me knowing that my idea can help someone. I’ve seen your web site and I like it very much.

Thanks

Dino

[dinocoglitore]

Hi Ross, I don’t know if you have already read the article I wrote many month ago. You can find it at the link: http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/api-and-scripts/how-to-create-a-helix-3d-curve-using-fusion-python-by-.... With the article you can download the first release of the code of the Add-in that I dealt with in the article.

 

In that article I pointed out the problem that you are talking about. I suppose it is a spline issue. I think that the solution could be to insert a certain number of other nodes in the last part of the spline. Another solution can be to extend the helix length to take the part of the helix that doesn’t present the issue.

 

I hope that you have time to find a solution using the code.

Many thanks

Dino