tweaking components2

[xalxanderx]

I just started putting together a bicycle and creating each individual part, including each link of the chain. If i assemble each link of the chain together, how would I animate the chain while rotating along the rear gear AND the bigger front gear?

 

[DesignerMike]

Animating a chain is not a simple thing.

BUT someone has already done it (just recently)

http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4790869

Also, Sean has posted a great add-in from Dr. Lian Xie to creat a complete chain.

http://www.mcadforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2196

Cbliss also has a nice (older) version of a chain creator that is excel based.

http://www.cbliss.com/inventor/Parts.htm

That will make life a whole lot easier!

 

[trainguy]

Might it not be easier to model your chain as an extruded item of square or rect. cross-section and apply a texture to each face from a bitmap you would create?

Sorry for the possibly ridiculous sounding suggestion, but it may be worth a thought...

tg