Medeling a pipe frame inside of wire structure

GMthompson

I am curios as if i am missing a easier way or the proper plugin to extrude pipes inside of a wire frame model where the edges of the pipe or framing always stay inside of your model edges or if your using a face it remains inside of your models face

I draw a lot of structural canopies and obviously models with tubing are extremely more easy to draw than complex pipe trusses

profile builder is close but does not quite do the job unless you draw your model with the difference of half the pipe diameter

Dave R

What process are you using to draw the wire frame for the structure? If I were drawing it, I would plan on making the wire frame the centerlines of the tubing/pipe.

mac1

Gm
Have you looked at the follow me tool that is part of the SU tool sets. There are also several plugins: pipe along path: tube along path ,or follow me and keep also but follow me should do the job unless you what a rect cross section. It has a tendency to rotate ,so if that is case use follow me and keep.
I,ve attached a tutorial Gully (I think) did several years ago that may help you make a decisionpipe_layout.skp

GMthompson

@mac1 said:

Gm
Have you looked at the follow me tool that is part of the SU tool sets. There are also several plugins: pipe along path: tube along path ,or follow me and keep also but follow me should do the job unless you what a rect cross section. It has a tendency to rotate ,so if that is case use follow me and keep.
I,ve attached a tutorial Gully (I think) did several years ago that may help you make a decision[attachment=0:km19rhru]pipe_layout.skp[/attachment:km19rhru]

yes thank you i have tried the follow me tool and also the profile builder, i am going to read your link