Is there a way to draw a helix in X3? It is not evident to me and a search does not turn it up.
Alternatively, I could draw a helix in MatLab (or such) and import it, but what file format would make it manipulable in X3?
Thanks for your help.
Reed Wickner
Hi Reed
It would be editable as bezier curves (or line segments depending on how matlab exports it).
You could draw it in Draw too, using the bezier tool, but it wouldn't be mathematically accurate. I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for though since a helix is a 3d shape (do you want it viewed straight on, or from an angle, should it have perspective, etc.). Alternatively, you could write a vb script to generate it.
Regards,Hendrik
Here's a short tutorial I draw for someone in the newsgroups a while back (click to view in full size)
I recently purchased X5 because I need to do better technical illustrations for training materials. My first project is an electrical coil (without a core) so I tried to follow your instructions. There is apparently some brand of magic required which I don't have. I got this far on my ninth try. (I hope there is an attachment here.) Some of your steps did not make any sense to me or X5 - the help function could not find anything that fitted with some of your instructions. It won't fill. 1104.Coil.ai
Any guidance you can offer will be welcomed.
You seem to have tiny gaps and overlapping curves all over, which is preventing the smart fill from operating correctly. I guess when I made mine, I held control to move the node straight up, and used snapping to ensure that everything fit together. I do this without thinking about it, so I may have left it out of my instructions.
I've attached a cdr with a helix, and hopefully clearer steps. you can use it, or try to recreate your own. I have to admit, this is one of the tougher shapes to build.
Hi Hendrik,
I too am struggling with the helix.
Could you send me the cdr + steps.
Thanks in anticipation
Hi there,
You don't need anyone to send it, the sample file Hendrik mentioned is still available in his post from Apr. 2010. Just click the link 'helix.cdr' (under his name at the top of the message) and save it.
Hope it helps
Hendrik Wagenaar said: Here's a short tutorial I draw for someone in the newsgroups a while back (click to view in full size)
Brilliant!
Thanks a lot Hendrik