Getting a helix to sweep around

I am wondering if anyone has ever gotten a snaking kind of path that a "helix" of sorts would follow. Then say a profile of a circle sent along that helix to create a sprial that follows that helix which followed that path.....I know I know, it might be hard to envision so I will use my artist skills to try and elaborate.

create a floor, say 20'x15', and then extrude it out say 1'. Doesn't matter really. Now from the top face of the model you sketch a shape much like a snake never overlapping itself but winding all about, using the spline tool. Now imagine that you could create a helix that would sprial around this snaking spline, once again never touching, but following the spline. Which a profile , of say a circle, could then be placed at the end of that sprialing helix and swept around it.

Any takers.....lol

T.I.A.

Arthur

Reply to
Arthur Y-S
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almost a FAQ ;-) see

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for 2 different approaches:

1) if you can define the curve "mathematically" Excel+"Curve By Free Points" or MathSurf+MathSketch macros will do it 2) otherwise, sweep the profile along the path then wrap a line around the surface with our SolidSketch add-in (because SW Wrap feature definitely can't do it...)
Reply to
Philippe Guglielmetti

Take a look at Mike Wilson's Curve Driven pattern here

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Also, this one under Adjustable Curved Helix:
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Reply to
Arlin

I also donated a helical picture frame to Scott Baugh...

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Look under "Contributed SW models and Macros".

Mike Wilson

Reply to
Mike J. Wilson

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