Creating a curved passage in 3D space (for a pipe sweep or channel sweep)

[caseymulder911]

Hi All,

 I am trying to add a water channel network in helmet design. I need to add a pipe or sweep that I can construct a water channel out of that will be in direct contact with the surface of the head.  The picture below shows the model I am trying to add this feature on top of.

 

Here is a picture that might help understand what I am trying to actually construct.

I tried to project a sketch that consisted of 100 x 100 lines onto the surface of the head body to give me something I could draw lines or a spline onto but that seemed to overload my computer. I could draw but each 5mm segment of the line took my computer 3 minutes to even process and then many times it would crash.  (I assume I need something to snap to when drawing a line or spline in 3D space...I haven't figured out any other method).

What approach would you all take?

Try to do this as in  Model Mode?

Is it easier to do this in Sculpt Mode?

Any other creative ideas how to do this? I have probably spent 30 hrs over 2 weeks trying / learning a way to do this and I'm now wondering if this is just beyond what Fusion can do in a reasonable manner.

Thanks for any help!

Casey

[laughingcreek]

I would project a spine onto the surface, and use it as a path for a sweep.

[chrisplyler]

I'm able to achieve this pretty easily by projecting splines onto the surface of the head, but they're all projected from the side, so as I go further up and over the top the spacing gets all wacky.

[caseymulder911]

Chrisplyer,

 Did you just mock that up?????  NICE!

So I think I can get the basic pattern on to the surface, but is there a way I can move te spline points around afterwards to make the layout/spacing tigheter?

Also, I'm thinking I can do most of the side of the helmet with a profile from the side, then maybe do another from the front and one from the top and just connect each pipe section together.

I would kill for a screencast of how you did that. It seems in Fusion its the tiny step details that makes everything difficult and as a noob, i get the basics but its the unwritten tip and tricks that are consuming huge amounts of time as I fight thru each one.

Thanks

Casey

[chrisplyler]

Yes I did. I've made you a screencast but you'll have to wait a bit while it processes.

You could certainly move the spline points around after the fact, as long as you set things up right. I made one spline and then offset it multiple times. So I just refined the first one and the rest maintain the spacing. If you want to move them individually to correct the resulting pipe spacing problem around the curve of the head, you'll have to break the offset constraint so that they become unique.

Also they're kind of finicky. You'll need to make sure none of the resulting 3D paths on the head turn too sharply at any point. You'll see me deal with this situation in the screencast.

Here is a teaser shot while you wait for the screencast.

[chrisplyler · Accepted solution]

Okay, here you go. Just remember that you said you would kill for this. So if I ever need anybody taken out, you're my guy. You owe me one assassination.

[chrisplyler]

And yes, I am able to project onto the head from more than one sketch and get the ends to line up. But I think it's going to become a pretty annoying workflow as you get further along...

[caseymulder911]

Hi Chris,

 Thanks so much for taking the time to make this! It was pretty helpful.   

Sorry for the delayed gratitude, I was on a business trip for the past 2 weeks and had to put everything on hold.

I'll let you know how it goes now that I can continue working on this.

And yes, the contract was accepted, so whenever you "need a 3D model 'deleted' " just let me know!

Thanks

Casey