[TheForge] CAD designing

[Walter Mullett]

I have been using AutoCAD for simple 2d layout of some of my designs for
some time but now I want to do some 3d modeling.  CAD is hard to do for one
time designs.  But it really saves time if you need to see different 3d
views and when you can build a library of components to plug in on other
designs.  
 
Lately I have been toying with doing a chandelier for our dining room.  I
want it to be truly candle powered.   I have an 1800's brick house so
electric is out of the question unless I run surface wiring.  
 
Since I'm thinking about doing a relatively simple design of 2 scrolls
repeated on 6 arms, I decided to bite the bullet and CAD this one.   I have
placed a 3d rendering of this design in the photo album under anything else
# 27.
 
This is just 7 basic elements.  An 'S' scroll with 1/2 an 's' welded on,
twists in each scroll straight section, a candle cup, candle and flame.
Once one arm was built, I simply arrayed the other 5 arms.
 
The result was better than I expected.  Good enough that my wife says do it!
Me and my big ideas...
 
Walt