October 13th
Beginner, Modeling, Product design, Tutorials
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Modeling light bulb
STEP 3
Ok, in this step it is time to model the actual threads. So, for this, we need couple of lines. Just make one below the chamfered part and offset it by 0.9cm down, and that offset curve need to be offset by another 2.3cm.
image 37
Now you need to Project those two selected lines onto a surface. Do that from front or right viewport.
image 38
Once you got those circles, you can again hide everything except them. Now, we will make another Spiral with Spiral command and using OSnap Cen option we will easily set the start and end axis of spiral on both centers of two circles (make sure the Turns is set to 5):
image 39
Again, with Extend set to smooth extend both end and start of the spiral so it matches the image 40 below. You might want to use Snap here:
image 40
Now, we will edit this spiral, so either with F9 or with command PointsOn show the control points, and then move the upper one up just a bit so it snaps to first grid intersection. Do the same for the lower one, just move the control point down:
image 41
From right viewport, create one polyline like on the image 43. Again, it is up to you how big or small you make it. It will be a section for the threads. And fillet the corners with 0.08cm as radius.
image 43
Now, move the little triangle on the start of the spiral. And rotate it so it is somewhat perpendicular to the spiral line:
image 44
Now, explode the triangle, and use only the two angled lines. Join them.And move them like on the image below: (it is to ensure the surface will go through the thread surface)
move
The problem with moving the section curve is that when you do that, the section gets smaller, maybe the better idea would be to extend the lines. But then again, there will be another problem which is the surface would overlap. So, be careful when extending lines.
And with sweep1 command using Style:Roadlike Top create a surface:
image 45
After sweep1, unhide the surface and BooleanUnion the two. You should get something like on the image 46 below:
image 46
Now, using FilletEdge you should be able to fillet the edges with 0.1cm as radius and get this:
image 47
Now, we only need to do one small detail. Add little round holes. Create a Sphere radius 0.15cm and position it like so:
image 48
Now, you need to copy that sphere 12 times around. So, using ArrayPolar command and input for the center 0 (zero) and type in 12 copies, and using BooleanDifference make holes:
image 49
Ok, now you may use FilletEdge to fillet the edges with 0.05cm as radius. And your bulb is finished.
image 50
THE END
Ok, if you encounter some problems, please leave a comment and I will try to help. Thanks.
used 34 commands
BlendCrv, BooleanDifference, BooleanUnion, ChamferEdge, Circle, Copy, Delete, Explode, Extend, ExtractSrf, ExtrudeCrv, Fillet, FilletEdge, Join, Line, Loft, Match, Move, Offset, Patch, Pipe, PlanarSrf, Point, PointsOff, PointsOn, Polyline, Project, Rebuild, Rib, Rotate, Sphere, Spiral, Sweep1, Trim
[…] this tutorial, naturally, you will need a model of a bulb. So, you should first read and complete Modeling light bulb tutorial and create yourself a model. Oh, you’ve done it already? No you actually just took […]
i am having difficulties making a union between the sweeped coil for the threading and the body. do you know why that is?
i just get the message ‘boolean union failed.’
go see image 44-move. You could try extending the two ends of the V curve, and moving it a bit more like on the image. That should fix it.
if you still have problems, please post your image and/or model in the forums under this tutorial and I will help you more.
I am having the same problem with the boolean union, it just fails. There is a step I really don’t get and is precisely in the image 44, before that you had a triangle with filleted edge and after that there’s no filleted edge
yes, you are right. Image 44 shows filleted curve, and the move image (img45) doesn’t. If you look at the img46 you will see that one has filleted corner. It is just an error in the image.
But I understand you are having problems, maybe that wasn’t explained the best way, but basically you need to have your section filleted curve positioned perpendicular to the spiral, and with trial and error you should position the curve so when you do sweep1 command you get the surface right. Meaning, it goes through the surface bottom “cap” so you can do boolean union without problems.
I might record a video of this step, it might get a bit clearer. But the important thing is you need to do this by trial and error.
Great tutorial, although I couldn’t do the FilletEdge of 0.1cm like image 47. I tried everything but it didn’t workout…
About the boolean union problem, just put the section (“little triangle”) on the start of the spiral burt and a move a little bit inside, to the interior (make sure your middle point is not over the end of the line) . You will get a very tiny intersection between the bulb surface and the spiral which will enable the boolean union…
What an excellent tutorial, I am so pleased i came across your Web site,
You have chosen great models to be able to cover so many techniques, and commands
Also thank you for answering peoples problems, It really help’s in solving those issue’s we have along the way
Thank Your Very Much
keep looking up cheers Ben
Perfect tutorial !
Its my first tutorial in Rhino demo 🙂
Im a MoI 3D user so its pretty easy to follow
Auxpecker plugin is amazing, this thing should be in every 3D modelling application by default !
Hi, i wasn’t able to execute the rib command. Can you please explain more specifically? Thanks a lot!!
Thanks for the tutorial!! It was a great help.
- Bartjan
[…] light bulb model was done in Moment of Inspiration 3D using a Rhinoceros 3D tutorial located here It was done in both software for comparaison purposes. Check the other tutorials on the same […]
Thanks for that very instructive tutorial.
The BooleanUnion as shown in IMG46 always fails. I’ve tried everything. It’s impossible and I don’t understand why. So frustrating …