question about sketching on a curved face

[scottcormier]

Hello this is my first post.  I am self-taught on Autodesk and have zero prior experience with parametric CAD.  I am a steel fabricator who designs and builds furniture in addition to other architectural elements.  I have two sofa table bases that I've been commisioned to design/fabricate.  One is very straight forward and I've attached a photo.  The second base is curved and has a 48" radius to fit behind a curved sofa.  Also attached.

The curved base has legs at each end, and I'd like to add a third leg to the center of the radius.  I've tried everything I know (which is hardly anything) and can't seem to solve this.  I have a portion of the leg done but can't get any farther than I am now.  I'd also like to add the concrete top to this as well (which can be seen in the first attachment).  So I have no idea how to approach that problem either.  I've been at this for 12 hours today and this has me stumped, but I'd like to get this problem figured out so I can model up some curved panels/handrail in the future.  Thank you very much for any help you can provide.

[Beyondforce]

Hi @scottcormier,

It is relatively easy to do. If you attach the file, then I'll show you 🙂

Cheers / Ben
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[scottcormier]

Thank you very much Ben I appreciate the help!  I believe this link takes you to the file?

http://a360.co/2dJ18Vi

[Anonymous]

@scottcormier

Did you try Create>Pattern>Pattern on Path?

For Object select end leg. For Path select rails.

[Beyondforce · Accepted solution]

Okay, the screencast is a bit long, because I wanted to show a good technique, which will help you to create this model much more easily.

Let me know if you have questions.

Cheers / Ben
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[donsmac · Accepted solution]

Here's a six minute screencast showing a pipe tool solution:

[scottcormier]

Thank you both very much for the screencasts!  Both videos were incredibly helpful.  Learning a little bit at a time, thanks to people like you both that take the time to help a stranger.  I will continue to watch tutorials and learn as much as possible.  Cheers!

[Beyondforce]

I'm glad we could help 🙂

[scottcormier]

@donsmacagain thank you very much for the video. 

One little area where I'm getting hung up is at 2:15 in your video.  You've copied the rails and moved them into position, and then to sketch the vertical legs it looks like your cursor is automatically snapping to the points, which exist on a different plane.  How is it that you're able to do this?  I was under the impression that you have to create a new plane?

[donsmac]

Hi Scott,

A sketch can contain geometry that is 3D.

Enable '3D Sketch' in the 'Sketch Palette'.

The Preferences Panel also has check box for allowing 3D sketching. 

[scottcormier]

You have no idea how valuable that one little tip is to me haha.  Thank you sir!

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@donsmac wrote:

Hi Scott,

A sketch can contain geometry that is 3D.

Enable '3D Sketch' in the 'Sketch Palette'.

The Preferences Panel also has check box for allowing 3D sketching. 

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