Reference point and curve

Hi all
I'm trying hard to make an animation using reference point, curve and
equations. Problem is I try to make the point follow a composite curve made
from a 3D sketch. The curve is just straight lines with a radius between
them......like a pipe. The point won't just follow the curve.....it stops at
the end of the first straight line and goes back to the start point. I had a
look at one of Mike J Wilsons examples and he's using a spline for the
curve/path...but the help and refence guide just refers to a curve to hook
the reference poing up to. I need the path look like this ....stright lines
connected by radi....in the x, y and z directions
Anybody with some insight into this ....please give me a hint

Krister L

 

I don't know diddly about animations and reference points, but are you sure
that you are catching the composite curve? It sounds more like you're
catching the line in the 3D sketch. If hiding the sketch doesn't fix it, you
might try fitting a spline to your lines and arcs. It will probably be close
enough for an animation.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

Hi Jerry
As you say it seems like I'm catching the line instead of the curve but the
selection box sais "edge"....and the 3d sketch is actually hidden
here.....if I pick the comp curve from the FM it will show up in the
selection box, but without the possibillity to set a distance, and it can't
be saved for a path/curve
If I move the cursor over the comp curve a small note will tell me that it
really is a comp curve but only one entity (one line) at the time will
lighten up.
I also tried to fit a spline to the 3d sketch and use it for the path....but
it didn't look really good.....maybe I need to give it some more time and be
more careful with it

Krister L

 

Yeah, I see the same thing here. Too bad SolidWorks doesn't
give a 100% effort when designing new features.

You get the same problem for "Curve Driven Pattern" as well.

When you tried to fit a spline, did you use the "Fit Spline"
command? I'm sure that's what Jerry meant, rather than manually
drawing it. It *should* work wonderfully.

Mike Wilson

 

Hi Mike

No I didn't try that one.....I'll look it up and see what I can do with it
right away....if I only can get it look like pipe in certain
filmsequences...(this is gonna be animated with photoworks) it will be
great. Most of the time I can use a straight line .....but I really need to
let it pass a few bends in different directions.

Thanks
// Krister L

 

Thanks Mike and Jerry

Fit spline seems to be the tool.....now I can get the reference point to
follow my path.

Krister L