Helix 3D Path along Axis

The 3D path of this type can be created using the following option within the Helix 3D Path command:

Creation of a Helix Path along Axis

Following steps should be done:

•Choose axis type.

•Define an axis.

•Define a start point and/or a start angle (optional).

•Set length, pitch, number of coils and direction of coiling (optional).

•Set radii or diameters (optional).

•Confirm the operation .

 

Parameters of operation are described below.

Main concepts of this type of path are available in a separate section.

Axis, Stat Point, Start Angle

Following Axis Types are available:

• Two Points

• Path

• Axis

• Point and Direction

Depending on the selected axis type, some of the following input boxes appear: First Point, Second Point, Path, Axis, Direction. Activating the desired input box allows to select in the 3D scene a corresponding object defining a helix axis.

By default a helix is constructed from start to end of an axis along the whole axis (or directional vector) length. However, it can be changed by specifying additional parameters.

The Reverse button is available for all axis types. It allows to switch helix direction along axis. For all axis types except Path this button switches between constructing a helix from start to end of an axis and in reverse; the start itself is not changed in this cases. For Path this button not only switches a direction, but also switches a start of a helix between start and end points of an axis.

 

Start Point allows to manually define starting position of a helix. If start point lays in helix's starting plane (a plane normal to axis, passing through its first point), then helix's start lays on a line normal to helix's axis going through start point. If start point doesn't lay in helix's starting plane, the result depends on the For Angle Reference Only option. If option is disabled (by default), then helix's starting plane is shifted to the start point and after that helix's start is defined in a way described above. If option is enabled, then start point is projected to the starting plane. If start point is not selected, then the system automatically selects an arbitrary starting point.
If start radius or diameter is disabled, then radius/diameter of a helix is defined by the start point.

 

Start Angle - an angle of a helix start's rotation around a helix's axis. If Start Point is selected, angle is laid off from said point, otherwise - from an arbitrary starting point automatically selected by the system.

 

Accuracy - object are being approximated or considered coinciding within this tolerance.

Length, Pitch, Coils, Direction of Coiling

Following combinations of parameters are available in the Parameters group:

• Length and Coils (default)

• Length and Pitch

• Pitch and Coils

Only two of three parameters (Length, Pitch and Coils) are available depending on the selected combination. Third parameter is calculated automatically from values of two others. For and options the Length is defined by axis length by default. Enable the checkbox located to the left side of the Length input box for applying a custom length value. All of the three parameters should have values higher than zero.

When using the option, the pitch can be defined either by a constant value or by a graph depending on helix's length along axis. To use a graph click the Create Graph button, which is located to the right side of parameter's input box. Detailed information is available in the Using Graphs in 3D Operations section.

Function value on the pitch's graph defines the number of coils for the corresponding length from the helix's start.

Function on the pitch graph should be always increasing, otherwise the operation will throw an error.

The default spline graph contains almost horizontal starting and ending sections, where function value changes very slowly. This leads to creation of a helix with starting and ending sections almost parallel to the axis.

Change spline's tangency parameters so, that function value change more rapidly, if you want to get rid of helix sections parallel to axis. The helix shown below is the same helix as the one shown above; the only difference is the X_tan value for the first point of the graph.

The Direction of Coiling parameter as well as the Reverse Direction of Coiling button switch direction of helix between clockwise and counterclockwise. The button is not pressed by default and the value is equal to zero. Pressing the button switches the value to one. Values can be also typed in manually or defined using variables. Only positive whole numbers are allowed. Values higher than one are considered same as one.

Radius/Diameter

The Distance group of parameters allows to define change of helix diameter/radius upon changing of coil number. First you need to choose one of following distance calculation options:

• Radius

• Diameter

Either Start and End radius or Start and End Diameter input boxes become available depending on the selected option. Enable a checkbox located to the left side of a corresponding input box to apply a parameter. If Start Radius/Diameter is disabled, it is necessary to select a Start Point, so that helix's radius/diameter will be defined by a start point's position. Then you will still be able to define the End Radius/Diameter if necessary.

If neither Start radius/diameter nor Start Point are defined, the operation throws an error.

By default, radius/diameter changes linearly from starting to ending value along the helix's axis.

Alternatively, Radius/Diameter of a helix can be defined by a graph depending on helix's length along axis. This can be done by enabling only the Start Radius/Diameter checkbox and clicking the Create Graph button, which is located to the right side of parameter's input box. Detailed information is available in the Using Graphs in 3D Operations section.

Start and end of a graph may expand beyond a helix's length. The only limitation is that a graph should be defined along the whole helix's length, otherwise the operation will throw an error.

On Polyline graph only two points are allowed - starting and ending. Otherwise the operation will throw an error