Running cable in an AutoCAD 3D Model

[cfee]

I have to run some cable in an AutoCAD 3D Model.

In the past, the only way I've found to run tubing or cable has been to create a series of lines and arcs. Some of these can be joined as plines, or 2 straight pline segments can be filleted if they are in the same plane, but the co-planar limitation keeps me from creating a single running polyline as a centerline from one end of the run to the other, around corners, and at angles not in the same plane.

You can simulate the look of a single run by creating the pieces as separate components and then "union"ing them, but this result is less than we need.

I can draw a spline from end to end, using methods that let me get close to the turn radiuses, but the spline while "close", separates from the p-line (used as a centerline guide) at the curves- and the radiuses aren't true.

While the spline can run from one end to the other, and get pretty close to the turn radiuses, the turn radiuses are close but not right on. They wouldn't be - these are splines, after all. Fortunately the listed length is going to be close. The overall length is pretty close, and it looks pretty close, so I may have to live with it, but I'm hoping I can get "closer".

In a program that relies on contiguous precision, is there possibly a technique or an approach to an existing technique I might be missing?

Thanks -

C.

 

[IFRs]

3dPoly

 

[chicopee]

I have never tried it in 3D but give it a go with the multiline or offset commands.

 

[cfee]

3DPOLY turned out to be good on short less complicate runs, but since you can't inject a filleted curve into 3DPOLY line, that wasn't the answer either.

SO-

Single line segments turn out to be the right answer, as you can place the line anywhere you need a run or to set a direction. Then when you need a turn, join lines with an intermediate line to go the direction off-parallel, to the next orthographic run in either parallel or at any needed angle. THEN run over that with a SPLINE , closely approximating the radiuses as needed. That'll get a single run, end-to-end, no matter how complex the series of turns, etc. Close as we're going to get, using AutoCAD. Good solution, but not as "precise" as a series of p-lines with curved radiuses, fully joined end-to-end would have been. Oh well.

Ok, that's where I've gotten to at this point. Any further suggestions would be welcome !

Thanks -

C.