CompuServe Messages

Ian, At this time, AME cannot create swept solids through a parametric path, even with API. This means that you can only roughly approximate the spring. You could do this by using the 3dpoly command, feeding it calculated points. You could create a circle at each vertex normal to the next polyline segment, extrude it along the segment and perhaps union it with adjacent extrusions. The bonus routine spring.lsp (I think that's what it's called) may be of use. Depending on how you will be using the model, perhaps the envelope of the spring would be sufficient: a cylinder, cone, or swept conic section. If you only plan to use the model for illustration or presentation purposes, you may want to create a wireframe representation of the spring and then use project.lsp to project the desired view onto a plane where you can then "fatten" it to the correct wire gauge. I hope one of these ideas will prove helpful. Dieter