Any ideas how to equally divide a "path" of lines with a user defined number of points

[chris]

Since Inventor doesn't allow us to pattern a shape along a path in the sketch, can anyone think of a way to equally divide a "path" of lines with a user defined number of points?

What I am trying to do is to pattern a circle along a path, in the sketch, so I can revolve those circles as a single solid. This is easy to do in other software's like Blender, MODO, Plasticity, and Cinema 4D, but Inventor doesn't allow this functionally.

I have a design I'm working on where I want to show the rebar "hoops", but I don't want to model them separately, and because the path is not a straight line I can't use array, like I can when the "path" is a straight line.

The image is an example of doing it the manual way and drawing each circle individually dimensioned, but on two of my designs, there will be 30-50 rebar hoops which is a lot of wasted time.

Again, I am just trying to define a number of circles or points that I would like equally spaced along a "path", is there any iLogic that could make this magically happen?

[jjstr8]

Maybe I'm missing something, but you can use the regular tools to do this.

• Start with a part that has your path as a sketch.
• Add a work point at the end of the sketch.
• Create a rectangular pattern selecting the work point as the feature and the path as the direction (set as spacing, distance, or curve length as you like).
• Add the path part and a hoop part to an assembly.
• Constrain the hoop part to the work point at the end of the path in the path part (however you want it oriented).
• Pattern the hoop using the Associative Pattern Component. Make sure the Model browser tab is on Modeling so you can select the rectangular pattern in the path part file.

[chris]

@jjstr8 We might not be understanding each other, each one of those red circles would be a "hoop" of rebar revolved around a centerline that in the above image would be to the right a specific distance, which means each hoop would end up being a different diameter. I know I can create a feature and array a feature along a path, but I need to be able to array along a path within the sketch, not at the model level. (see example) 

[jjstr8]

I think it makes sense now. If it's something like this, I just looped through the PatternElements in the rectangular feature and used their translation data to create a plane then made a sketch with the "hoop" circle.

[chris]

@jjstr8 do you mind sharing that part with me so I can look at it?

[jjstr8]

Sorry, it took an extra read of your original post to get to this. I think this what you're ultimately trying to generate. Check the "ThisDocument" VBA in the attached document. It's just the quick-and-dirty version.