Custom Railing for Curved Stair

[Warp Drive]

I could use a few suggestions on creating a curved railing. I've tried a sweep in a "model in place" Generic Model, but I can not get the path to recognize the curved surface.

The curved surface in the image is a mass with a divided surface onto which I drew a model line (3D Spline). I was hoping to use it as a reference to create the rail.

Thanks!

[Twiceroadsfool]

Is there a reason you dont want to use a Railing?

[Warp Drive]

Is there a reason you dont want to use a Railing?

I can't get the railing to follow the path that I created. I also can't sketch a path on the surface....maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Note the stair treads are not part of a stair family as the stair is not a true spiral, but more an ellipse, almost looks like an air foil.

[maciejwypych]

It can be easily done with adaptive components.

[Warp Drive]

It can be easily done with adaptive components.

Thank you, I like that technique...wish I could do it without the facets....I used (50) on mine and it is pretty smooth, but seems like a bit more work (and poly's) than should be necessary. Very good for now though!

Thanks again for the help!

[Twiceroadsfool]

I can't get the railing to follow the path that I created. I also can't sketch a path on the surface....maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Note the stair treads are not part of a stair family as the stair is not a true spiral, but more an ellipse, almost looks like an air foil.

"More" of an ellipse? Or an ellipse? Can you post the file here, so we can look at it? I dont see any reason to not use a Railing, yet. :shrug:

[maciejwypych]

"More" of an ellipse? Or an ellipse? Can you post the file here, so we can look at it? I dont see any reason to not use a Railing, yet. :shrug:

Because you draw or pick a line if it's an ellipse. It seems that the railing tool (or the stair tool (even stair by sketch)) doesn't work with shapes other than line or arc.

[Twiceroadsfool]

If it's modeled (currently) as a *true ellipse* then break it down in to an approximating of arcs, and get on with modeling it with the railing tool. Using an adaptive component just to keep it 100% pure ellipse, is a bit... silly.

I understand the technical limitations. Still no point to massing it out.

[Warp Drive]

The stair...which doesn't meet any building code that I know of...is in the shape of an airplane foil. I could not use the stair tool to create at it as there are many different tread shapes. The treads are individual generic models and sit on sleepers not stringers. I saw a sweep used as an alternate method, but the profile does not stay parallel with the floor. The adaptive rail worked perfect, but is a bit more time to create and it is segmented of course.

Can you share the procedure for using the railing tool? I understand following a series of arcs, but how do you define the upper and lower limits?