Final rendered model of our windup clock

When approaching modeling this clock, and any other model, I first try to divide it into parts. Obviously every product has its parts, and naturally you would go model one by one. This is that kind of model where your don’t have to think about which part to model first. This is obvious, first you need a clock body, then you can go about modeling which ever part. Here I first created the body, then the back plate with screws, then the front plate without numbers, bells and hammer, legs, and then in the end made the numbers and handles for the front plate.

STEP 1

Ok, in this step we will be creating the body. Since I lost every clock I had like this, I had to model it from reference images from the internet. So, we don’t have the measures, or technical drawings, but we need to model by eye, looking at the various images and approximate the lengths, distances and so on.

I created a template for my default usage with grid extents set to 10. So, make sure you do the same with Snap command, and clicking on the Extents options and input 10.

Now, we can start modeling. Since we don’t know what the accurate dimensions are, we will need to use our old method of trial and error. We will first create three straight lines with Polyline or Line command.

img1

Next thing would be to connect these lines with curves, and that we will do with BlendCrv command. Make sure you use G1 for both ends, so we get tangency.

img2

Using Join command make sure those lines are all joined together. So, next thing would be to create a surface out of this section curve, and we’ll do that with Revolve command. But, before that, we need to turn on the Record History option, so we can work on the surface by simply editing the curve.

img3

Now, if we select our initial curve, and using PointsOn command turn on the control points and if we move those points, we will automatically update the surface as well. If we used Record History that is.

img4

Ok, next thing would be to adjust the curves a bit so the surface is little more accurate. Try to make something like on the image below:

img5

Using OffsetSrf command, we need to offset this surface to inside by 0.3 units. So, make sure you flip the direction normals when in OffsetSrf command, so they point to inside.

img6

Then, simply, with BlendSrf command blend the gaps and Join the four surfaces.

img7

Final scene

Since it that time in the year again, some of you might find it useful to learn how to create few Christmas decorations for your tree visualisations

Introduction

Well, basically what we will do here is use solids for basic shapes and cut them how we like it.Simple, eh?

Step 1

In this step we will be creating the simplest decoration.

First Decoration

Go ahead, and create a sphere using Sphere command. Center it in the origin (0,0) and use 10 units as radius. To make this even simpler, you can set your Grid options like I have them. Just run Grid command, and where it says Extents click on it and input 10. That way you will have 10 units in your grid in every direction in the viewport which was active when you run the command. To apply this setting to all viewports, just use ApplyTo setting in Grid command. Click on it so it toggles from ActiveViewport to AllViewports. Now, simply using Snap option in your status bar we will start creating this Sphere.

Image 1

Once you got your Sphere, create another one, using 7 units as radius and position its center on 8,0. That is, 8 on the x axis, and 0 on the y axis.

Image 2

Now, using BooleanDifference make a hole in the bigger Sphere.

Image 3

We need to fillet the edges of this sphere. Using FilletEdge command fillet the edge with 0.2 as radius.

Image 4

Create a Circle from Top viewport with 5.5 as radius.

Image 5

We will Project this Circle onto the Sphere. We need to do this from Top viewport. So make sure it is active, and run the Project command to do the projection of the Circle on the Sphere. You will get 3 projected curves, and we only need the top one, so you can delete other two:

Image 6

Using Split or Trim command, we need to trim the upper part of the Sphere, with projected circle.

Image 7

Next thing we need is another Circle. This time create a Circle with 1.5 units as radius. Create it from top viewport in the origin (0,0). Then you will need to move it up (from either front or right viewport) with Move command by 17 units.

Image 8

Now, using ExtrudeCrv extrude this circle up by 1 unit. Make sure you don’t have Cap set to Yes, or BothSides set to Yes. Those two options need to be set to No.

Image 9

Ok, once you’ve done this, you need to make a surface with smooth transition from the sphere to the extruded circle. You will use BlendSrf command to do just that. As for the BlendSrf options, just leave it at default settings. Meaning AutoChain set to No, and for the Blend Bulge leave it as well at default settings, which are 1,1 and all other options unchecked.

Image 10

Next we will create a cap and a little wire to hang our decoration somewhere. So, using OffsetSrf offset the little cylinder surface outwards by 0.1 units.

Image 11

Now, using ExtendSrf command we will extend the upper edge of the offset surface up by 0.1

Image 12

Using Cap command we will close this surface into solid.

Image 13

Create another Circle, from Top viewport and use 0.5 units as radius. You should get your circle like on the image below:

Image 14

Now, using ExtrudeCrv command set the Cap setting to Yes, and extrude it up by 20 units, just so it goes through the cap:

Image 15

Using BooleanDifference command make a hole with this cylinder in the cap:

Image 16

Using FilletEdge fillet the edges of the tip with 0.1 as radius:

Image 17

Create another Circle with 2 units as radius, and position it like on the image below. Just make sure you create your circle from Front viewport. You can start Circle command, input in the command line when it asks you for the center 0,20 for the center, and then just 2 for the radius. You should get exactly the curve like on the image:

Image 18

We need a Curve starting from the circle. Using InterpCrv command we will create such curve from Front viewport: (you can start using OSnap if you haven’t already – Near would come in handy here)

Image 19

Using Mirror command we need to mirror this curve to the other side.

Image 20

Using Trim command we need to trim the Circle:

Image 21

I have almost perfectly hit the curve direction and smoothness and actually the curve is visually tangent to the circle. In reality that isn’t the case, so we need to fix it. We will match our curve onto the circle with Match command:

Image 22

Here you can see the black curve on the left, this is how the curve will be adjusted to match the tangency. So, now you see I didn’t actually hit the tangency manually. Do this same step for the right curve as well, and join all three into one:

Image 23

If necessary, using PointsOn you can change your curve a bit. But you will see if this is necessary after you make a surface. Using Pipe command we need to create a pipe surface. Use 0.2 as radius:

Image 24

Here you see this needs some adjustments. So, first, try moving it up a bit to see if this can fix it. If not, using PointsOn you will need to adjust the curve itself.

Image 25

For the purposes of this course, just moving this wire will do.

INTRODUCTION

I really liked modeling this model, it turned out really good, and I must say that it was pretty easy to model it too. However, there is fairly enough playing with Osnap, but then again, when do we not use Osnap frequently? Anyway, to get you started, you first need to download some kind of blueprints I made for you out of this model. You just gotta love that Make2D command!!!

Blueprints reference

STEP 1

First things first, we need to setup our blueprints. Not only import them into Rhino, but also position and scale to fit the dimensions marked on them. First, go to Front viewport. You can expand it by double clicking it. Next, using PictureFrame command browse for blueprints you previously saved to your computer. Now, you don’t need to worry about how to position or how big you should make it. We will fix that in a bit, but just make sure your blueprints are not tilted. For that you can use Snap, or even better Ortho.

PictureFrame

Move from blade tip

Scaled blueprints to fit the line length

Another line

pic

INTRODUCTION

Ok, this is another tutorial on modeling some ID product. I’ve tried to simplify this to the bare bone, and I hope I managed to do it. Actually, this is a method you could use on various other projects too. This is what it all comes down to, all you need is create a set of base curves right, after that it is all just music to the ears.

STEP 1 – creating the curves

In the images in this tutorial, you will notice I have 20×20 grid system. You can take a look at my previous tutorial on setting up and prettifying user experience by changing grid and other settings. That will give you an idea how to change your grid system. Basically it is just grid option Extents that is set to 10.

To start off, we will need 4 points. We will use those 4 points for creating a curve. So, go ahead and maximize your Front viewport and create 4 points with x and y coordinates as set: x=-17, y=1 / x=-5, y=-1 / x=9, y=-2 / x=22, y=-1.

create 4 points

Using Curve command, create a curve between those 4 points. To make it easier to snap to the points, just use Osnap option Point. Next, create a line horizontal with start at -17,2 and end at 22,2. We’ll need one more line with start at 7,3 and ending at 8,4. You can create them with Line command or just PolyLine.

two more lines

Next we will create one polyline and one line from Right viewport. Use PolyLine command and for 4 points of polyline use: -4,-5 / -2,-10 / 2,-10 / 4,-5. For the line use PolyLine or Line command and for the start and end use: -5,-8 / 5,-8.

creating some more lines

Using Trim command, just trim off polyline and line, leaving everything above the line. Once you do that, using PointsOn command, you simply show control points of two tilted lines and move the upper control points up by 1 unit.

trim and move control points

In perspective viewport Move (or Copy) that polyline from Mid of the middle (straight) line, and move it to the end point of the first curve we created (22,-1).

moving polyline

Go to Top viewport, and from there create a curve with Curve command (-4,10 / -10,0 / -4,-10).Note, it would be smart to disable Osnap for a second when you are creating this curve. You might get in trouble at middle point if you have some Osnap options on, so to avoid any possible problem, just disable osnap for this step.

just another curve

Move that curve 6 units left. So it just touches the grid. From front viewport move it up by couple of units i.e. 5. Using Rotate command and clicking on the Copy option in command line we will create one more instance of the curve but rotated by 90 degrees. Then, if you haven’t already, enable Osnap, and using Mid option move that curve to the first point of our first curve (-17,1). Use Osnap option Point to snap to that point. Otherwise if you want to input the coordinates, you would have to do it from the same viewport where you created that point, so from Front viewport.

Rotate & copy, move

Ok, this step might get a little confusing, so pay attention. We need to set that curve to face the curve perpendicular. Check the image to see what curves I’m talking about:

what to do

Now, we need to rotate vertical curve so it is perpendicular to the bottom curve. We’ll do that by first creating a line that is perpendicular to the curve below. So, start your beloved PolyLine command, and hover your mouse over the Osnap options, and while holding down CTRL key, you will reveal some more Osnap options. Click on the second one, PerpFrom. Now, you are asked to select the curve on which you would like to show the tracking, so select the lower curve. Now, you can move the tracker where you want to start your line from, and move it all the way to the left (Point Osnap option might help, or end).

PerpFrom osnap option

Now, we created a line that we will use for a rotation angle.

line

Now, just rotate from Front viewport the curve to fit the line angle.

rotation

Now, repeat this step for the other end of the curve and other section polyline:

repeat for this side as well

Introduction

So like I said, in this tutorial you will learn how to model a light bulb in Rhino. The first “glass” part will be just a bit tricky because we need to control the curves little bit more than usual. After that we will make bulb screw threads, where the method is similar if not the same as the one explained on Rhino tips website. If only I known for it when I made this tutorial heh. Anyway, this one is pretty easy, but needs some special attention in some parts.

If you like, you can download source 3dm files step by step just to keep on the track.

source 3dm files step by step

This is what you will have in the end:

final model

STEP 1

First we will start from top to bottom. So we’re making the lighting spiral. Start with creating Circle from top view of radius 5cm. And create two small circles of radius 1cm. You can use Snap to make them really easy:

image 1

Next, we need a Spiral. Using Spiral command make one starting from origin. Once you start the Spiral command just input 0 (zero) and press enter, now from Front viewport make it high 5cm. And for the radius use your already made circle that is 5cm in radius. Move that spiral 3cm up from front viewport and you should get something like on the image 2 and image 3.

image 2

image 3

Now we need a little help line. You can make one starting from center of the right smaller circle. It should be straight vertical line, so you can finish it either from front or right viewport:

image 4

Now, using BlendCrv blend the lower end of spiral to the little help line with G1 continuity on both sides:

image 5

Using Copy command, copy the spiral and blended curve. While in the Copy command in the command line click on InPlace option. Or simply use Copy & Paste commands (ctrl+c, ctrl+v). While having selected two copied curves, Rotate them from top viewport by 180 degrees. Check if you have something like on the image 6:

image 6

Now, with create a Point from right viewport (or front would work fine too) exactly 9cm from origin:

image 7

Now, start Extend command, and press enter for dynamic extend. Enable OSnap and check Point option, and click on each upper end of spiral and extend it to the point.

image 8

Now the endings of two spirals are not tangent. So with Match command we will match those two curves. Make sure both ends are set to Tangency and Average Curves is checked:

image 9

Now select all 4 parts of 2 spirals and join them together. Now, using Pipe command we will make a surface out of this curve. For the starting and ending radius you can use two small circles as reference. Near OSnap option is a good way for this. Ofcourse, you could use sweep1 or even sweep2 commands.

image 10

Now the big circle will be used to create the body of our bulb. Select it and run ExtrudeCrv command. Make sure the Cap is set to Yes and BothSides to No. We will extrude it down by 8cm, so you can either use snap and count for yourself, or simply input in the command line -8 and press enter.

image 11

Using FilletEdge command fillet the upper edge of the cilinder by 0.5cm.

image 12

Using one of two smaller circles offset one by 0.3cm. And move it up vertically by 0.6cm.

image 13

Using Rib command and the body of the bulb create a surface like on the image 14. Rib distance is 0.2:

image 14 - mirrored curve for rib

Now for the ribs, we can make them look even prettier by filleting edges. So with FilletEdge command fillet those three edges for each rib with 0.05cm as radius:

image 15 - filleting

Now lets get back to the lower part of the bulb body. Like we filleted upper edge, we will chamfer the lower one with ChamferEdge command using 2cm as CurrentChamferDistance option.

image 16 - chamferedge

Now, we will FilletEdge the middle edge with 0.5cm as fillet radius.

image 17 - filletedge radius 0.5cm

Using ExtractSrf command we will extract the bottom cap surface:

image 18 - omg, we're using ExtractSrf for the first time

When you extract this surface, you can delete it. And using the edge where this surface was extrude it by 1cm down. So just input in command line when extruding -0.5. Make sure the Cap option is set to No.

image 19

Now, you can create PlanarSrf to “cap” it on one side: (you could also join all the upper surfaces of this bulb body and simply use Cap command to close it)

image 20

Lets do some details on the body. From front viewport create one line and offset it down by 0.3cm… Like on the image 21

image 21

With Trim command trim the body surface between two lines:

image 22

Using Offset command, offset the two edges inwards by 0.2cm. The easiest way is to first have everything deselected and run the command offset, then click on one edge from perspective view, and then from top viewport simply move your mouse pointer inside the cilinder and in command line type in 0.2 and press enter. Do the same for the other edge and you are set to go.

Then, using Loft command click on the lower edge first, then two offset circles inside, and then the upper edge, and with style set to Straight sections create loft:

image 23

Now, join those surface, and make it prettier with FilletEdge using 0.05cm as radius.

image 24 - smooth edges with FilletEdge

Introduction

Before we even start modeling we need Autocad plans of a house. I’ve taken dwg files and saved it as 3dm (native Rhino file format).  You can download it here:

plans

If you like, or if you get stuck with some step, you can download each step individually here:

step 1

step 2

step 3

step 4

step 5

step 6

final

STEP 1

Ok, in this first step we will be setting up our plans in 3D space. Actually we will align each view plan to our viewport in Rhino. But first, we need to group all the lines from each view and put them in a separate layer. Just so we don’t get big pile of curves in one layer, that way we wouldn’t be able to control anything. Organizing in layers is always a great idea because we can easily hide whole layer or lock it.

Ok, so lets start. First create a new layer named Plans and move all other layouts (except Default) inside Plans layers.

You should have your layers setup like this

Now we need separate layers for our views. We need 4 side views and one top. So go on and create new layers (top, front, left, right, back).You should have something like on the image 2.

image 2

Next thing to do is to group each view and put the lines in its layers accordingly.

image 3

image 4

We need to orient our blueprints so they fit in every viewport in Rhino, right now they are all oriented the same way visible in Top view. We will be using RemapCPlane command to do this, so we don’t have to rotate, Rhino can do that for us. So, lets start with Front view. To do so, click on the Front group of curves (or layer) from Top viewport and run RemapCPlane and click anywhere inside front viewport. You should get the same situation like on image 5 below.

image 5

Using Move tool and with help of Osnap (End option would be enough, but just to be sure you can check Intersection too. Near could be a little confusing) we will position our front layer in right place according to our top layer (check image 6).

image 6

We will do this same step for all other views, so we get a “house” made of plans. Sort of. Note: when using RemapCPlane for other views (groups of curves) make sure you use the right viewport and cplane. For example, if you want to remap back layer you will have to select it, run the RemapCPlane and click anywhere on Back viewport. Since Back (or left) viewport is not active by default, you can click on any of 4 viewport names with right mouse button, then Set View, and there you can choose which viewport to use. Just remember, For back group of curves you need back viewport, for right group of curves you need right viewport, and the same applies for left, front and even top.

I don’t think this should be very hard to setup, and once you do, you will have something like on the image 7 below.

And note the orientation of the letters above groups. That should give you pretty good idea of how well you did to recreate this.

image 7

You can download this tutorial in PDF format here.

Organic Modeling for Jewelry Design with T-Splines and Rhino® 4

Designing an Earring

Juan Santocono

Industrial Design

Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentine

Matt Sederberg

T-Splines, Inc.

© Copyright 2008 T-Splines, Inc.

Designing freeform objects can be difficult when working with traditional CAD software. T-Splines and Rhino 4 offer an easy way to create smooth, gap-free freeform models for jewelry design.

The best way to read this tutorial about how to model a earring using T-Splines is by look­ing at the 3D model at the same time. You can follow the model’s progress by selecting the differents layers in the file. T-Splines for Rhino must also be installed on your computer. Both T-Splines for Rhino and the earring model can be downloaded at www.tsplines.com.

In this tutorial, anything in Blue is a Rhino command, while anything in Red is a T-Splines command. Type these commands in the command line of Rhino to run them.

STEP 1 – MESH

Creating the base mesh
To get the general shape of the ear­ring we will start by creating a Mesh­torus, with VerticalFaces=8 and AroundFaces=16.

STEP 2 – T-SPLINE SURFACE

Converting the mesh
Once we have the mesh torus we just need to convert it to a T-Spline surface.

Use tsConvert and select the mesh to perform the conversion. Now we have a T-Spline torus with the same control points as the mesh torus.

STEP 3 – T-SPLINE MODIFICATION

Extruding faces
The earring design is a sun, so we need to create the sun rays. We will include some long rays and some short rays.

We will create the long rays first. To make these, we will extrude some faces with tsExtrude.

1-Extrude selected faces (yellow) as shown.

2-In order to get flat rows of control points for the next extrusions, we need to flatten selected points. Use tsScriptFlattenPoints. Do this with each of the 4 ray tips separately.

3-Extrude the flattened faces again (tsExtrude).

4-Extrude them again.

5-Extrude them twice more (a total of four extru­sions). This will give us sufficient control points to add details to the rays.

STEP 4 – T-SPLINES ADJUSTMENTS

1-Draw the base and target curves for both sides of the sun rays.

2-Use FlowAlongCurve on all the left-side control points.

3-Use FlowAlongCurve on all the right-side control points.

STEP 5 – T-SPLINES ADJUSTMENTS

Modifying front profile
To modify the front profile we are going to do something similar to the previous step, but (for the sake of introducing an alternative workflow) instead of using the flow command we are going to do it manually. Draw some reference curves to provide us with a reference on how we will to transform the surface.

1-Once we have the reference curves, just select the lower row of control points (shown) and use tsManip (scale and move) to match the surface profile to the curves.

2-Repeat this process with the four rows of control points. This manual method can give us a decently accu­rate surface.

3-Now we have the shape that we want on one sun ray.

STEP 6 – T-SPLINES ADJUSTMENTS

Modifying details
Now we need to do some further adjustments to get the desired design. First, use tsManip to scale (+Y) all the center ray control points, this is to give a concave curvature to the sun rays.

Remember to select all the center points of the four rows on each side.

Second, using again de tsManip scale this four tip point, this will give us a more smooth tip.

1-Scale center control points +Y.

2-Scale tip control points -X.

STEP 7 – T-SPLINE ADJUSTMENTS

Copying the rays
We have completed the shape of one sun ray, now we need to shape the others. The design intent is that all four rays should have the same form, so we need to copy our first sun ray shape to the other three rays. Doing this manually would be slow and imperfect. For this rea­son we will use a method that assures us of the exact same shape on all the rays.

1-Select all control points of the shaped ray.

2-Use ExtractPt to make a point from each con­trol point.

3-Draw a Polyline, snapping to each row of po­ints. This represents the control polygon of the ray surface. Connecting the points is not strictly necessary, but is useful to give a visual unders­tanding of the control polygon.

4-Groups of control points from the shaped ray.
5-Copy these control polygons to each ray. Use Rotate (copy on).

6-Now, using snap (points and ends) move each T-Spline control point on each ray to its corresponding control polygon point from the shaped ray.

7-Repeat this with each ray until all four are shaped.

This method of copying shapes by snapping to copied control points might seem a little tricky at first sight, but with re­latively simple T-Splines shapes it is really fast and insures a symmetric shape.

STEP 8 – T-SPLINE MODIFICATION

Extruding small rays
Now we are going to create the shorter rays. For this we will extrude some faces with the tsExtrude command.

All of the modeling steps used to create the shorter rays are similar to those used for the lon­ger rays. Just follow the same workflow.

1-tsExtrude selected faces.

2-Flatten each face’s control po­ints (tsScriptFlattenPoints).

3-tsExtrude the flattened faces.

4-tsExtrude again and again. Four times total, just like the longer rays

STEP 9 – T-SPLINES ADJUSTMENTS

Copying smaller ray shape
Here we are going to use the same method we used on the longer rays, but we’ll save time by just copying and scaling the control polygons used for the longer rays and reusing them for the smaller rays. Just copy the control polygons of the longer rays, rotate them by 45 degrees, and scale them to be smaller. This will allow all rays, both long and short, to have the same shape.

STEP 10 – T-SPLINES ADJUSTMENTS

Modifying the center ring
To get the correct design we need to do some adjustments on the center hole. The intention is to have a bigger hole and a sharper edge on the transition betwen the sun body and the sun rays.

1-Select the control points shown and using scale2D, scale them outwards to give the hole a wider diameter and smooth the inner torus curvature. (The origin of the 2D scale is the center (0,0,0).)

2-Select the control points shown and using scale2D, scale them outwards to create a shar­per edge between the sun body and the sun rays.

STEP 11 – T-SPLINE ADJUSTMENTS

Adding control points
We need to add some more control points using tsInsertPoint for the next step. Adding a con­trol point near a star point (shown) will yield a small explosion of new control points to keep the surface unchanged; this influx of control points is desired in this case.

One more tweak before the next step: we’ll adjust the sun rays pro­portions. Just select the last 3 rows of the big rays and scale2D throught the center:

STEP 12

Creating a crease
Until now we have created a perfectly smooth T-Spline surface, but the design intention is to have a sharp edge on the inner part of the rays. Use tsCrease and select the first segments of each ray (both sides). The crease influence will extend across two isoparms.

STEP 12

Creating the body details
Basically, what we are going to do on this step is generating some strips that will decorate the body.

1-tsExtrude these front faces as shown.

2-Once they are extru­ded, we need to change the angle of the control points on these faces. A good way to do this on all faces at once is to scale2D on the selected points shown.

3-Now that we corrected the faces, it’s time for another tsExtrude.

4-Keep the extruded points selected and use the tsManip to move +Y to get a con­vex body.

5-Now it is time for one last tsExtrude.

6-We need to scale2D these control points that were extruded last, this will give us smaller and closer tips. The center of the scale should be on the center of the earring in order to modify it symmetrically.

7-Now, we want the strips to be deformed in a spiral. To make the deformation more accu­rate, we first need to add more control points. To do this, just use tsInsertPoint near the star point shown. This will generate the needed geometry for the deformation.

8-To make the spiral deformation we will use Maelstrom, one of the UDT tools. First, select all the control points that comprise the sun body strips. Be careful to not select other points.

Second, use the maelstrom tool, where the center is the middle of the earring and the first and second radius are just those necesary for rotating the control points.

The T-Spline surface is done! Now we only need to add the remaining details.

STEP 14 – OTHER PARTS

Creating the center part
For the center piece we will just create the profile of a shape and then use Revolve to gener­ate the geometry. You can use ExtractIsoCurve on the T-Spline surface to extract the curves that will be used for the center piece profile to get a perfect match between the parts.

Creating the hook
This is simple, draw the curve and use Pipe to generate the piece.

Union part
Draw the curve and use Pipe to generate the piece. Then just use BooleanDifference (Delete input=No) with the T-Splines surface.

Move the parts to fit each other.

The result is a perfectly smooth, highly detailed 3D model of an earring ready to be manufac­tured.

Good luck in your modeling!

Write to my e-mail below with any questions.

Juan Santocono,

Industrial Design

jsantocono@fibertel.com.ar

A free trial of T-Splines for Rhino may be downloaded at www.tsplines.com

Resources

Blueprints (required registration, but I think it is worth!)

STEP 1

Again, in this tutorial I have also skipped the blueprints setup.

First, create 3 outline curves in Front viewport with InterpCrv and bridge two upper with one line using polyline (good to have osnap Near option turned on)

Next, split those two bridged curves with that created line (bridge).

Create using InterpCrv outline for the handle section, and offset by 1 inside.

Trim the two curves and split outline curves.

Then, from right viewport, create three lines, and Fillet the corners with 1 unit. Offset that curve by 1 unit inside, and you will create another instance of this curve, but this one won’t have filleted corners.

Extrude those two curves and trim two newly created surfaces with the curves in Front viewport.

The two curves for handle section need to be positioned on the center of your base surfaces. I’ve done that by first creating the surface with Surface from 3 or 4 Corner Points command (SrfPt) and I positioned that surface on the middle of my model. I’ll use that surface for future centerings (I hide it when not needed).

When you moved those two curves to the center, extrude them according to image below:

Here, I’ve used BothSides option in Extrude command. Notice the Top viewport to see the extrusion distance.

Blend the edges of coresponding surfaces, check image below for reference…

Connect blend curves with lines on the mid

Using Network Surface command create surface out of two blend curves and one line.

Do this step for 3 other parts, and join the surfaces. Next, we need to blend the inner and outer surface… I used 0.5 for both sides blend bulge.

In the picture above you can see that I didn’t use blend for connecting the two network surfaces, instead I used Sweep2. Do that 3 more times for other surfaces.

And for the little 3 curved surface corners I used Sweep1:

I have corrected the wrong name, instead Slide Rule, this is actually called Vernier Caliper. So, thanks to Chuck Hoffmann for pointing that out

Resource files

Images

Blueprints (pdf)

Video tutorial

http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/video/modeling-slide-rule-video/

Introduction

I’ve decided to make a slide rule as my first tutorial because it will be the most used tool to measure object I will model. That way I can provide you very accurate blueprints and models for you to use and download.

Step 1

First, we will set up our scene with some background image that we will use as reference for modeling. Please note that I will not follow the curves in background image all the time. It is solely for reference, and my modeling is strictly based on my taken measures. Before we start, you need to open the centimeters template in Rhino. As we will have grid laid out as centimeters.

First we will measure the length of our slide rule. I don’t have another slide rule, so I’ll use regular ruler. If your Osnap is not enabled, please enable it now as it is the tool you will use the most! You just can’t live without it, and sometimes with it. Something like having a girlfriend.

I have measured 22.4 centimeters, so lets make a nice polyline long 22.4cm starting from origin of coordinate system (0,0). You can click on Snap so your cursor snaps on intersection of grid lines. That line is mostly for orienting the background image we will insert next.

So, lets put the background image. Go to View->Background Bitmap->Place and browse for your reference image (you can download it from this page). Again, if your snap is not on, click on it so it gets bold (that means it is on). You can either write in the command line 0,0 or you can click on origin. That is the first corner, and next you need second corner. Just move your mouse and stretch the box so it is a little wider than your 22.4 line. After that you are still in the command, and you can choose some of cool options, like grayscale image. It is default to yes, so you can click on no. I like it that way.

Now, we will adjust the background so it fits our reference line 22.4. First we need to move it a little to the left. Go to View->Background Bitmap->Move and move it. I believe the image is self explanatory. Next we need to scale the background image down, go to View->Background Bitmap->Scale.

This is what you need:

Step 2

In this step, we will be making the base top view for our model. You need to have the documentation preferably printed out on A4 format for better comparison and readout of dimensions.

Ok, we’ll start from the upper right corner of our slide rule, and we’ll use polyline to create the base closed curve. Lets create first 5 segments of this part. Select polyline (or type in command line _Polyline) and click on that far upper right corner, and type in the command line 1.5 and press enter. Next input (you are still in the command) 21, then 1, then 0.1 and in the end 5th segment is 2.8 in length. You have something like in the picture.

(please note that in technical world point “.” is used for decimal point, and comma “,” is used for separating the coordinates. i.e. 5,4 is a coordinate with 5 units as x or abscissa and 4 as y or ordinate, while 5.4 is length – if you are interested you can refer to wikipedia’s Cartesian coordinate system)

We’ll continue with the segments, this time on the left upper side. We can start with putting the point in the start of our first reference line we created in step 1.

That point we need to move along the reference line for 2.2cm right. So use the move tool, click on the point, and input 2.2 in command line and make surein the osnap settings you have Near checked. Or, you can click on Ortho and move the point. Next, we will again use polyline and this time we will start from the moved point. Again, make sure you have Point checked in osnap settings. Input 0.3 in polyline command, and go up, then click, input 2.2 go left and click (it is a lot easier if you have Ortho on the whole time you make this) and then input 1.8 and go down and click. End the command by hitting enter, or clicking right mouse button. Now, you need to disable Ortho and make that angle line. You can use polyline again for that. Now you can position the line according to reference background bitmap. Start from the end of last line, and end where the part is starting to curve according to background bitmap.

Next, you will create another line, starting from the end of right line, and make it parallel to x axis and length random. Use Ortho. Then, using blend command, create blend between that parallel line you just created and that angled line. You should get something like on the image below:

Using Trim command you can trim that reference line and that Point we created earlier. Join all lines and curves, and you should have closed curve which you will use as a base curve for creating the model.

Step 3

Lets create the little holes for screws. Using Circle command we will create two circles according to position like on the image. You can either create two circles one by one, or you can create one and mirror it so you are sure the proportions are ok, and that both circles are exactly the same distance from the base closed curve. I have used the second method. Activate the Circle command, and point in the center of upper screw. For the radius input 0.15. Now, make sure in osnap settings you have cheched Mid, and select the Mirror command. We will mirror that circle according to the Middle point on the right line, and now again we will use Ortho.

Finally we are moving from 2D to 3D. So, select (Hold Shift + Click = Adding to selection || Hold Ctrl + Click = Removing from selection) the closed curve, and both circles. Type in the command line Extrude and 0.3 for extrusion height.

Next we are moving on the opposite side again, and we’ll make little cuts on the curved part. The cut itself is 1cm wide, so again, you can use the same method with Point to start the line. So create the point in the far bottom point, where curved line ends, and move it up by 1cm. Make sure the point is on the top plane of your model. Start the polyline from that point and move left and down according to image.

The shorter line needs to be adjusted a little. You can select the L polyline, and using PointsOn command turn the control points on. After that, control point that is on the edge of the object needs to be lowered down by 0.14cm. Be careful, as there resides the Point you created earlier, so when you click, you will be prompted which one to select, and select Curve Point. Using move tool, and Ortho, from Front View you can move it down. After you’ve done that, using PointsOff command turn off the control points, and using Explode command explode the L line, into two lines. Next using Sweep1 sweep the shorter line along the longer or vice versa. extrude the shorter line up (use the direction [d] for specifying the direction of extrusion if it is not as we need it).

Now, join those two surfaces. You can mirror that joined surface, even though I didn’t do it that way in video. Using trim command trim your base object with those two flat surfaces (actually it is one, as we joined it).