Continuing To Build Snare Drum Stand

[Hometime]

I was helped so much (by Eric, thanks) I thought I'd ask again, what processes would one suggest in continuing to build my snare drum stand model? Here is the next section I am working on and what I have so far. I'd really like to start over except for the black feet since the objects are Max primitives.

[Hometime]

I'm trying to create the nut that tightens to hold the center extender in place. I am trying to use the PBlend tool but I have trouble keeping the shape normal, it gets all twisted. Here is a jpg of the part I want to create and the shapes I have tried to use to duplicate it.

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

I wouldn't use PBlend, instead I would make 2 profiles (1 top view, 1 side view) extrude the top view and then boolean or use cutter to remove the excess data. Then fillet the results to round the edges.

-Eric

[Hometime]

Thanks, Eric!
I want to learn how to do as you suggest, it seems to work very well for you in the videos.
I built the bolt part with circles, using PBlend and the
the "wing" profile with PSketch, then boolean union-ed the two.

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

Your shape is different from the one in the picture. In the picture it is a smooth curved shape. Also, I would have choosen to revolve the shape rather than using the Blend, it gives you more control over the profile.

The way I would make the shape is:
Make a Pwr_Rectangle and Pwr_Circle in top view.
Use Pwr_2D_Boolean on them set to Union.
Convert to Pwr_EditSkt.
Select the intersection points (vertices) of the circle and rectangle and change the Corner Radius to get the smooth shape needed.
Now make a profile in the side similar to the shape.
Boolean the 2 and choose Intersection (this extracts the contents of the 2 shapes as a new object).
Detail in a Pwr_Circle for the hole in the center.
Finally fillet as needed.

See the attached image the Sketches created the 3d objects using the steps I outlined above.

-Eric

[Hometime]

Very nice, thanks.
Perceiving the shape accurately is important to creating it.
Your solution is simple but good.

[Hometime]

Eric,
Where is Pwr_2D_Boolean located?
Uh, ok, just found it.

[nPower_Dave]

It's in the nPower Tools 2 menu. It's the one on the bottom right (Pwr_2D_Bool). The icon is the one with the circle and rectangle overlapping.

[Hometime]

Am I supposed to extrude both shapes and overlap them before boolean intersection?

[Hometime]

Mine came out hollow:
http://screencast.com/t/bhBqdihoAz

[nPower_Dave]

By the way, I think Eric's recommended approach is a good one.

[nPower_Dave]

I think he was suggesting to do the 2-D Boolean before extruding.

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

What are your settings for the Detailer? I believe you need to enable "Keep Inside of Base". Also, David was correct do all the edits to the sketches prior to extruding.

-Eric

[Hometime]

I'll check my "details" on the Detailer, but how can I do a 2D intersection on the two sketch objects they don't work, how do I overlap them?
See video:
http://screencast.com/t/RnjOADSP

[Hometime]

On the finished object wouldn't Fillet All Edges do just that?
It does nothing here, so I will have to do a PFileting operation.

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

From there extrude the sketches, move them so that they overlap in the middle, use a Pwr_Boolean intersection to get a Solid of the shape.

-Eric

[Hometime]

I am not able to boolean (2d or otherwise) the 2d booleaned first set and the profile, if I extrude the first two (boolean intersected shapes) and the profile, then boolean intersect them it works.
I don't understand how you say to intersect the profile and the first shapes, before extruding them. Is that what you are saying? No, I guess I misunderstood.

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

Booleaning works by adding or removing from existing shapes or geometry. They need to overlap, and in the case of 2D they must exist in the same work plane. The video you posted would never work (the shapes are on different working planes and they really don't overlap). In my example it all started with a rectangle and a circle. I booleaned these together to start building the new shape(s) I needed. Once the 2D shape is done you need to create 3D solids or surfaces to continue working with.

-Eric

[Hometime]

Thanks, Eric.
What confused me yesterday was between these two lines there is no mention of extruding the shapes before boolean intersection:
"Now make a profile in the side similar to the shape.*
Boolean the 2 and choose Intersection (this extracts the contents of the 2 shapes as a new object)."

*There must be extrusion here and I knew that but thought you were saying to boolean just the shapes

Don

[nPower_Dave]

When you say "how do you overlap the two sketches", I assume that you mean a Boolean. You can do a 2D Boolean on the 2 sketches using the "Pwr_2D_Bool" command. Is that what you are after?

[Hometime]

I have the overlap on the first two shapes, I was inquiring about Eric's instructions, it seemed (at the time) that he was saying I was to do an intersection on the previously intersected shapes with the profile. But, as seen in the movie that wouldn't work. It wasn't mentioned the intersected shape (top view) and the profile had to be extruded BEFORE intersecting them. I was misunderstood apparently when asking about it since I was told the shapes were to be intersected before extruding, which you guys must have been referring to the first two shapes, not at all referring to the profile. To me everything is clear on the example, so I am not asking about it further, only trying to explain where I was coming.

Let's move on,please.
:)