How to model a twisted connector in Onshape with surface modeling

In this video, I show you how to model a simple part and then mirror and transform it with a rotation. Then we will use the bridge command and apply tangent constraints to the 3D-Curve. We will connect those 4 curves with a surface modeling tool: the fill command and finally combine all parts in one solid piece.

[@ronhollenbeck]

Thanks, that was a great tutorial, I did not know about the Bridging Curve tool. As other commenters have done, I too tried it with the loft tool and it worked.

[@cademist]

Glad it helped!

[@jeremyncrm2012]

Finally, a tutorial that shows what i want. Thank you!

[@cademist]

Glad you like it!

[@Impuritan1]

This is the kind of tutorial I needed.

[@cademist]

I'm glad to read this.

[@matthiasvaillancourt8877]

Man I am a beginner used to SketchUp, you made me so happy today! I do a lot of 3D printing, thank you!!!

[@cademist]

Happy to hear that!

[@matthiasvaillancourt8877]

@@cademist my only issue is the chamfer part, somehow one of the round ends turns red, and I can't do it as you did, it's for sure my fault, but I didn't manage lol I will keep watching your videos, it's perfect for noobs like me, your speed it just perfect!

[@MrTrollHunter]

Another very usefull video, learned something new with onshape. Thanks

[@cademist]

Happy to help!

[@PWill33]

Useful tip. Thanks.

[@cademist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewperry8389]

Nice job. I am going to try to make it!

[@cademist]

You can do it!

[@Gassmaninov]

Thanks for this interesting video! The twisted section could be accomplished much easier with the loft tool using the "connections" option. In the connection option it's enough to select two corresponding opposite vertices of the the end-surfaces and it's all done.

[@cademist]

Great tip!

[@germanmoramora9730]

que buen tutorial, hasta en ingles se logro entender, muchas gracias por compartir el conocimiento

[@cademist]

Por supuesto, para eso estoy!

[@paolococo7990]

Grazie, molto interessante ed utile. Buon lavoro

[@cademist]

Grazie!

[@dennisdecoene]

Very useful video.

[@cademist]

Glad you think so!

[@Divadosaurus]

Awesome.

[@cademist]

Glad you think so!

[@abbaselgazzar2054]

Great video...I am a beginner and have found this video very helpful. I'm having a difficult time adding the chamfer. For some reason it is not capturing all the edges/faces that you have in your video (I can't capture "Edge of Enclose 1"). Without seeing my model would there be any way for you to offer a suggestion as to what I need to adjust? Thank you.

[@cademist]

Thanks! About that chamfer-there is a small checkbox, next to it it says: "tangent propagation", maybe you got that unchecked?

[@RichPenn]

Thanks for the surfaces, I learned a lot ! Question : How would be the correct way create the part to maintain a constant cross section ? Thank you

[@cademist]

Hi Rich, long time no see! I saw some nice stuff on your channel page. That's a great question-I thought a loft could accomplish that---what do you think?

[@RichPenn]

@@cademist Thanks for the pointer. I created a mid-part profile at 45 degrees and lofted "Normal to Profile" and it is close. Lots of fun stuff to learn and play with. Part is in Onshape public space as "(Cademist) Twisted Connector - 2 Ways " Thank you for the start and the push !! RichPenn

[@OmikronPsy]

Really well made tutorial. There are not so many channels that explain more advanced onshape tools in simple words. Get a better mic and perhaps use some AI audio enhancement (works wonders to improve quality) and you are one of the best onshape explainers!

[@cademist]

Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you liked the video. Now about sound, I actually got a question in regards to "AI audio enhancement". What tools are there, and what do they do? And...what's wrong with the audio in the video?

[@OmikronPsy]

@@cademist Adobe Podcast enhance is a free (with dayly limit) tool that makes audio sound much better even without a professional setup. Perhaps give it a try and see if you hear an improvement. I found the audio lacks clarity and contrast. It is just not as crisp as the studio quality that big channels provide.

[@cademist]

I found the site and signed up, will give it a try. Thanks for the information@@OmikronPsy

[@OmikronPsy]

@@cademist Your welcome. I do some CAD for 3D printing in my day job without any engineering training. The fact that I can do this is due to educators like you that enable everybody to acquire complex and amazing skills like CAD. 💪 It's wonderful that we now get such high quality content for free.

[@cademist]

Well, I'm happy that you find my videos helpful. About audio: maybe I will get a microphone at some point, up to now I have been using a headset.@@OmikronPsy

[@littlehills739]

how about a tube like this so a vertical coin drop - and at the bottom it rotates to have the face of the coin rolling at 45d to the right to make a coin sorter thanks for the video

[@cademist]

that's a great idea! I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@LalithS-bg2em]

Draw a surface instead of the solid modeling. then use a loft of two surface body edges and thicken the whole surface after knitting.

[@cademist]

sounds good!

[@pitpao]

I was wondering if there is a difference between this method and the loft method that I'm missing

[@cademist]

No difference in regards to the result!

[@micyclebicycle]

how are you doing those smooth navigation moves?!

[@cademist]

I got my left hand on a navigation device, a 3D-mouse.

[@nilton61]

This is how i would do it: use the slot command in the sketch to simplify the constraints. Connect the tangent points with a line and trim off the arc. Use only one bridging curve as a guide when lofting the square surfaces normal to profile

[@cademist]

I'm happy to admit that your method is fast and efficient. Thanks for your comment.

[@eiz3333]

Do a video, not a critic

[@nilton61]

@@eiz3333 I'll be happy to spend some time and other resources if you need help understanding the topics i mentioned. let me know

[@annakquinn7084]

@@nilton61Actually, I can teach you, starting by teaching you to avoid weak excuses.

[@jeremyncrm2012]

@@nilton61 I would love some help understanding the topic you mentioned, I understand how this video does it but your explanation is confusing me.

[@DK-Design]

Not to knock your way, it works, but I would have used a loft in "add" (normal to both profiles) with one bridging curve (tangent) as a guide.

[@cademist]

I just checked your method and it works great, very efficient. Thanks for the input.

[@DK-Design]

@@cademist not a problem. I use OnShape for work. The R&D Director likes doing spitball/brainstorming Teams meetings and I've had to learn some creative ways to do it faster.

[@Wasser-fz9ub]

Hi Darth Maul...

[@cademist]

At your service! Need some pointers on mastering the double-bladed lightsaber?