Curved pipe keeps failing!

[jadebrown92]

I am attempting to take words (names, signatures) and turn them into 3d models but I am failing in both the solid and form modes. SEE ATTACHMENT

-In the solid mode the pipes can't overlap so they fail. 

-In the form mode the pipes can't touch so they fail. 

Is there a way to easy get this overlapping look without getting errors? 

I love the form mode because it is then easy for me to manipulate the shape it won't let me keep the overlaps. I can create a lot of forms for every line but that takes forever!

Ideally I would love to just create the sketch, select pipe, and the pipe continually follow the signature and allow for the overlaps. 

Sketchup allows me to do this but sketchup isn't get for curved lines. 

Anyone else had any advice on how to do this? Other programs I can use to make this easy? 

THANK YOU!!

[MoshiurRashid]

It is intersecting itself in the middle portion of g. Tweak it a bit and see what happens.

[wmhazzard · Accepted solution]

It can be done but it is more than just a click. Sketch two splines that are joined with a tangent constraint near the overlap, then when you use the pipe command, deselect chain selection and create one body, then select the other spline which overlaps the first and use pipe and select join. 

You can see the joint in the second photo, just below the intersection. 

Maybe someday the pipe command will allow self intersection.

[jadebrown92]

Thank you so much this worked! 🙂