Patterning Cells Periodically Along 3D Object

[Conformal]

Hi All,

I am not sure what the best way to do the following is:

I have a pattern that needs to be repeated periodically along a 3D object. The simplest case is a 3D cylinder and I eventually want to do it on something more complicated, say a distorted sphere. Since the pattern I have is just a 2D object, I need to conform/project/map it onto the 3D object.

1.) What is the best way to do this in AutoCAD?
2.) Shoould I do this in Inventor? If so, does anyone know how?

Thank you,

Conformal

[scj]

Do you mean something like the attached??
Regards
Jochen

[Conformal]

Hi Jochen,

Yes, I want to do something similar. Can you please explain how you did this? It will help me get started.

Thank you,

Conformal

[scj]

I take a flat pattern consisting of (LW-)Polylines and transform the coordinates from each vertex from Cartesian to cylindric (or spherical) coordinates. After getting this list of the transformed vertex coordinates I connect them by a 3DPoly. Notice, that there are no real arcs or splines on the surface - this are only linear segmented 3DPolys.
In case of more information contact me via www.black-cad.de
Jochen

[Conformal]

Hi Jochen,

So I guess you wrote a custom script to do this?

Thank you,

Conformal

[scj]

Yes Sir

Regards
Jochen