3d face draw of pipes

[ahmedhegazi]

Dear All,

i am doing pipe stress analysis in 3d using finite element analysis software SAP2000.

3 pipes are intersecting together forming K shape.

Sap 2000 reads shell surfaces as 3dface objects from autocad.

is there a way to draw pipes as 3dface in autocad?

 

[helfreco]

Yes there is!

Draw your pipes using Surfaces. You can do that by either extruding polylines, or by exploding solid elements. Do it however you like.

Use command MESHSMOOTH to convert the surfaces to a mesh.

Select the mesh and change the smoothness in the quick properties until it is something you like. Level 3 or 4 is pretty detailed.

Then EXPLODE the mesh and the mesh becomes 3dfaces.

I spent about 5 minutes and got a pretty rough mesh. spend a little time and you can dial it in pretty nicely.