Compound Radius

[Cartierusm]

I was wondering how to model a compound fingerboard radius in Rhino. I figure it's probably pretty easy. Draw 2 lines to represent the taper of the fingerboard then place an arc representing the starting radius, then draw another arc representing the other radius and maybe a middle radius so transition is exactly where you want it? Then 2 rail sweep it?

Is this correct? If so what would be a good starting compound raidus for a Les Paul Style Guitar?

[bostosh]

I can do that in 30 seconds, Cadkey /Fastsurf. ( Dunno about Rhino )
Now since I am thinking Necks and Fretboards,
Must these curves be linear and circular form?
I have 3-d digitized point data
Can they be section of an conic, spline, or any curve?
What tolerances, is there an average Neck?
Fastsurf can bang out the surfaces easily.
(any and all surfaces), and solidify the model.
I wish to do a parametric neck machining program and need to know this.
I can help you with surfacing anything,
Brian O.

[mc-motorsports]

Try the "loft" command, I think it will get you the results your looking for. Click the help tab and read about it, best way to learn it. Post up if you need more help. I use 3.0

MC

[xlr8tr@mac.c]

Personally I like to keep things simple so here's how I do it.

In the right hand view port draw an arc using Arc,Start,End,Radius where the start point is 0,0 the end point is (nut width),0 and the radius your nut end radius. Now move this arc from its mid point to 0,0.

Draw another arc in the same manner using your width and radius at the heel end and again move this arc from its mid point to 0,0.



In the top view move the heel end arc from 0,0 to what ever length you've chosen for your fretboard. Then draw a line from the end of one arc to the end of the other.



Using Surface, Sweep 1 rail select the line as your rail and the two arcs as the cross sections. When the dialogue box pops up accept the do not simplify option and you should have something like this;



You'll notice I do not use a tapered surface (nut width, heel width) as I machine the board blank on the table and then use a closed curve to define and machine the perimeter.

Hope that helps,

Neil

[Cartierusm]

Sweet, thanks Neil. I appreciate the tutorial. I'm pretty much self taught on Rhino, except some help from my friend turmite, Mike, so learning about arc is great. I'll try it out this weekend and see what I come up with.

[mc-motorsports]

That will work, but it's a simple extrusion. If you want a compound angle, draw the two sides, the first angle on one end, the second angle on the other end and atleast one reference in the middle, the more the better, spaced equally if possible and use the loft command. I think that will get you your original goal.

MC

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Cartierusm Sweet, thanks Neil. I appreciate the tutorial. I'm pretty much self taught on Rhino, except some help from my friend turmite, Mike, so learning about arc is great. I'll try it out this weekend and see what I come up with.

Hey Carter......and you could have called me again too! My wife is having her second good day after the chemo so I have been able to spend a little time out and about.

I use either the two curves and loft, or two rails and sweep to get what you are after.

Let me know if I can help.

Mike

[xlr8tr@mac.c]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports That will work, but it's a simple extrusion. MC

That's how compund radius fretboards are meant to be - a smooth transition from one radius to the other.


Turmite, I'm interested to know why you'd use two rails, as one is the mirror of the other what advantage is their is doing so?

[turmite]

Originally Posted by xlr8tr@mac.c That's how compund radius fretboards are meant to be - a smooth transition from one radius to the other. Turmite, I'm interested to know why you'd use two rails, as one is the mirror of the other what advantage is their is doing so?

Well.........because!


Actually there are several different ways to do it, including the two I mentioned, as well as the two arcs, one rail sweep, network curve and you could also do a patch or drape if you wanted. In fact, that is what I both love and hate about Rhino........there are so many different ways to get the same thing.

Mike

[Cartierusm]

Mike, did you get my PM?

[turmite]

Hi C.

Yes I did. Sorry about not replying. Pre-occupied if you know what I mean. She goes in for her second treatment tomorrow and will have a couple of good days, then the bottom will drop out again!

Do you need another extension?

Mike

[Cartierusm]

An extension, yes...oh for madcam, I thoughht you were talking about...nevermind. No, thanks, I've learn to live with RhinoCAM as I already own it, it just took some getting used to. Basically what I learned from you and Joakim was enough to understand what I was doing. It wasn't RhinoCAM that wasn't working well it was me understanding the machining order. In Artcam, which I learned CAD/CAM, it goes about machining a little differently. Anyway, my best goes out to you.