Need help drawing a pipe curvature.

[Cyclopean]

The only experience I have with 3d is in block-shaped items (never needed to do curves before). I've been given an S-shaped pipe (curves at 90 degrees, then curves again to its original direction). What might be the best way to draw this, keeping in mind that it must be to an exact set of dimensions?

Thanks for any help.

[CADTutor]

I guess you're talking about something like this:

http://www.cadimage.net/cadtutor/image4.gif

If so, it's relatively easy, steps as follows:

1. Draw the center line of the pipe just as you would in 2D. You need to make sure it is a single object so a polyline would be the best option.

2. Change the UCS so that it is end-on to the center line and draw two circles, one for the outer radius and one for the inner radius.

3. Use the Extrude command, Draw/Solids/Extrude and use the "Path" option to extrude both circles along the center line/path you drew in step 1.

4. Use the Subtract command to subtract the inner tube from the outer tube.

That's it!

Let us know how you get on.