How to create a walking cane

[ReMark]

SFG: Please go back and see post #75 where I use the ALIGN command. Pick the points, one on the arc and one on the cane, and continue to do so until three points have been picked on the arc and cane. It is as simple as that. I have now done this at least three if not four times and it works each time. I think you are not zooming in close enough to visualize the correct points and that's why you get weird results. You must also have your Osnaps enabled and pick ONLY the QUADRANT points.

 

Rotating a 3D object can be done in a couple of ways. I still use the old ROTATE command but there is also a 3DROTATE command.

 

Are you also able to manipulate the orientation of your UCS either manually, at the command line, or via the Dynamic UCS? UCS rotation and positioning are critical to some aspects of drawing in 3D.

[Cad64]

We've spent a large amount of time and a number of posts going over how to solve this problem.

 

Two weeks and 9 pages but this thread is still going?

I think the OP needs to enroll in a class or hire a personal tutor. He's just not picking up what you're laying down.

[ReMark]

Two weeks and nine pages? Feels like two months and ninety pages! LOL

 

I'm sure the OP will get it all in due time. Not sure if I will be alive to see it though.

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

Using ReMark's instructions, I displayed pictures of what quadrants I clicked in order from 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, the last step picture is the one that goes berserk????!! Tell me what I'm not following right or am I just a numb-skull???

[ReMark]

So, let's move on. What's next?

 

Do us a favor...turn SNAP off. And while we're at it why is everything being drawn on layer "0" and why are you overriding the assigned color? Didn't we talk, in the past, about the practice of setting up layers and assigning them different colors so it is easier to work in the drawing? Haven't you forgotten these important points?

 

Lets skip the use of the Align command and try something different why don't we? Reorient you UCS. Draw the arc in 2D in its proper location relative to the shaft of your cane then use either the EXTRUDE or PRESSPULL command to create the 3D object. You do know how to manipulate the UCS don't you?

Edited August 14, 2011 by ReMark

[SFG13]

Unfortunately I just happen to be one of the few people that takes a million years to learn something on my own, and suffer from slight short term memory loss due to my ongoing disability problem. I know for you it can easily be done with your eyes closed, which is great but for me nope. Some of your terminology is a totally different language that I'm just not following well. I'm sorry for causing you and others a lot of frustration for something so simple. Well I have two options from this point, try my best to follow your guidelines once again and or learn from the tutorials, I can do both, just will take time. I realize it's not the end of the world if I don't complete it to where I want since it's a really challenging software for me to understand but above all life is a learning process and for my motto I "never give up." Thank you so much for all the help which I really appreciate it a lot!

[ReMark]

Re: short term memory loss. Do what I do and create "cheat sheets". I do this mostly for those system variables whose name/function I can never remember. I use index cards and keep them right by my monitor.

 

Your last attempt should have worked so I am at a loss to understand why it did not. The only thing I can think of is that it had something to do with SNAP/GRID being enabled but the more I think about it the less I am convinced that is true.

 

I went back and took a look at the last arc drawing you posted. It's all screwed up again. Your UCS is out of whack and the curved portion of your cane does not line up with the straight portion. That might explain why you are getting strange results with the ALIGN command. I thought we had this all fixed at some point? We're not making any forward progress; we're going backwards. Did you post the wrong drawing (maybe an early attempt)? Perhaps you would benefit from the creation of a X/Y/Z reference set of lines created in the lower left-hand corner of model space that you can easily refer back to and get your UCS correctly lined up on (via the 3-point method). I don't know how you continue to twist the UCS at weird angles. This practice has to stop or you'll be constantly redrawing your objects trying to fix problems that are self-inflicted.

 

Note: length of straight shaft in last posted drawing was 11.7619. The radius for the curved section is listed as 2.0137. Diameter of cane is 1.0". Are those numbers correct? If not, what did you intend them to be?

Edited August 15, 2011 by ReMark

[ReMark]

I made this drawing as a way to demonstrate the use of layers, colors and the sequence of constructing your cane. The straight shaft is 32" long. The radius of the hook is 3" and the diameter is 1". The "trigger" is 1/4" thick.

 

Cane Example.dwg

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

I had so many CAD notes from many years ago and somehow unfortunately have been misplaced as the years go by. Also our PC caught a major virus a year ago and my uncle had to fry the entire hard drive and reboot everything over again so whatever notes that was stored in the computer, goodbye! It seems that your drawing is a more recent version of Cad, I use 09'. I guess the drawing got screwed up along the way with more changes to it. You don't have to worry about putting so much emphasis into my drawing, I just wanted to see how the cane would look like in 3D that's all. Thanks a lot!

[ReMark]

When I get back to work tomorrow I'll save it down to 2007 file format for you.

 

Do you know how to manipulate the UCS? Yes/No/I don't know?

 

Do you know how to set up multiple layers? Yes/No/I don't know?

 

Do you have an after-market AutoCAD 2008 book to use as a reference? Yes/No/I don't know?

 

Do you know how to access AutoCAD Help? Yes/No/I don't know?

 

Have you gone through all the AutoCAD related tutorials here at CADTutor? Yes/No/I don't know?

 

Please answer in the order given. Thanks.

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

Okay take your time, no rush, thanks.

 

Do you know how to manipulate the UCS? no not familiar

 

Do you know how to set up multiple layers? I don't remember how

 

Do you have an after-market AutoCAD 2008 book to use as a reference?

I only have a 36pg printed preview guide of CAD 09' and my professor's CAD technical drawing classroom book.

 

Do you know how to access AutoCAD Help? Yes F1

 

Have you gone through all the AutoCAD related tutorials here at CADTutor? Still currently working on going through them

[ReMark]

It seems from your answers that we have some work to do then don't we? Where would you like to start?

 

I would definitely consider going online and finding a suitable book. You should be able to find a used book in good condition at a fairly reasonable price considering you are using AutoCAD 2008.

Recommended authors include: Ellen Finkelstein, George Omura and Ralph Grabowski just to name three.

 

What field are you interested in? Architectural, mechanical, structural, civil, electrical, other?

 

Have you gone through any tutorials at any other AutoCAD-related website? If so, which website? If not, would you be interested in a couple more recommendations?

 

What are your short-term and long-term goals as far as AutoCAD goes?

 

You mention a professor and a classroom. What class(es) did you take and when?

[Jack_O'neill]

I would suggest this book: http://www.amazon.com/AutoCAD-2008-LT-Experience-Required/dp/0470126531/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1313472392&sr=8-2

 

17 chapters, more than 600 pages, and step by step instructions on how and what to do from just starting the program to drawing in 3D. It starts out simple and builds on your skills as you go along. Almost every chapter offers a "If you would like more practice" section with extra things to do to use the skills presented in that chapter. The book is centered on architectural drawing, but the basics are the same no matter if you are working on a house or a punch press.

[ReMark]

I've got the 2010 version of the book Jack recommends. The publishers of the book have a website where readers can download the author's drawing examples for comparison. Some books come with a companion CD that contains sample drawing files keyed to the chapters in the book.

[ReMark]

SFG13: Sorry about that first file. Here it is in 2007 file format.

 

Cane Example 2007.dwg

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

Thanks for posting your drawing, I will use it as a guide.

Actually I use AutoCad 2009, unless I typed the year wrong or you misunderstood.

 

To be brief I just recently graduated from SFSU in may with a B.A. in Industrial Arts, I was actually a product design & development major but due to my ongoing disability and impaired agility my counselor recommended I switch majors so I can graduate faster. I'm not sure if I told you before but I'm a proud brain cancer survivor (02', 03') with many years of chemo/radiation treatments, BMT, and surgeries (02', 04', 05', 06'). So it took me a very long time just to finish my major and now you can understand why is it so difficult and takes a very long time for me to learn new complex concepts due to my impaired health problem.

 

I'm still working on going through the tutorials on here mostly but I'm in no rush. Any recommendations sure I wouldn't mind at all to help me gain new skills.

 

As far as short or long term goals with AutoCAD, just would like to learn this steep software as a skill for my design background to possibly design products in 2D and 3D, etc. In my DAI(Design & Industry) 321 Technical Drawing class (010') my professor Dr. Chen taught each of the students very thoroughly step by step on how to do the drawings and that's how I learned mostly by hands-on. Thanks

[Jack_O'neill]

Congrats on making through the cancer thing. That had to be tough. Hang in there, and keep pushing.

 

As for the book, I don't think it will matter much. I never used 2009, but the basics are the same in almost any version. Not sure when the ribbon made it's first appearance, but if 2009 was just a pumped up 2008, you should be good to go. The link I posted is to Amazon, I'm sure they'll have a 2009 book too.

[ReMark]

Your profile says you use 2008. Perhaps you need to correct it.

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the warm wishes Jack, yeah going through treatments felt like total hell, especially the bone marrow transplant was the worst ever, try spending 26 days in the hospital, absolute nightmare. I was pretty close to not making it but I did and I'm just glad to be alive. I checked Amazon to see if they have a 09' book and they do, so I'll probably consider getting that or the 08' one if you say it shows step by step instructions that will definitely help me a lot. Good thing you reminded me ReMark, I went and updated my profile info, I don't know how I put 08'? Thanks so much Jack and ReMark for the great advice and help, I appreciate it!

[SFG13]

Hi,

 

I checked both books on Amazon and read the customer reviews for the 08' and 09'. I read most people say the "09' and LT 09' Bible" is really good for beginners and novices like me so I'll probably go with the 09' instead. For some reason people said the 08' book is mostly for architectural. Thanks