Been a while since i messed with DWG´s But I believe that the best way is to export the .Dwg to .Sat, and then import that into Revit.
Why did we not have a slide in the library at my school ? Sounds way cool, and would like to see it - Let´s know where to find the file :beer:

I wouldnt do it regardless. The performance drag on regenerations alone, from DWG being present in 3D, is insane. Id import it in to a family, remodel it in revit as close as you can get it, and delete the CAD. We have a 100% no imported CAD policy, because of the performance issues.

The DWG in question can be found here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3989565/Slide.zip

Aaron, I totally agree, if I can find a way to model this even remotely closely. But as you can see, this is going to be a tricky modeling job, especially trying to get the clear top of the tube to work.
Slide in Acad.PNG

Thanks!
Gordon

By the way, woot to the Insert Inline feature. Sweet. And Dropbox rocks. Even on Windows! :beer:

If anyone has any ideas as to the easiest way (if there is one) to model this geometry please post them. I would enjoy seeing how this is done.

I understand that the best way to do it would be with a SWEEP Extrusion. I have tried creating similar geometry and have been unsuccessful. It would be absolutely GREAT to know how to do this. THANKS......And thanks to Munkholm for setting this site up. I hope it will be a successful/resourceful site to rely on. GOOD WORK in short time KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swept Blend, or Sweep along 3D model lines. I can take a shot at it, but i'll be swamped til Saturday.

Gordon.

Have you seen this video by Phil Read: Into the Void: The Zen of Creating Complex Sculptural Form with Autodesk® Revit®

(Fast forward to 38:00, and see if that technique could be useful)

Aaron, I have been struggling with how to define the sweep path. I think that offers the best solution, because then I can use two opposite profiles for the segments with the clear top, and a single profile elsewhere. Likely my failure is in knowing how to build that path in Acad. If I can do that, I could import JUST the path and maybe be OK.

Klaus, maybe the key is a void blend to twist 180, and use two to drive the middle portion of the slide. Back to AutoCAD to see if I can define the heights there at least.

Thanks all!
Gordon

I just modeled a spiral staircase handrail for a project that wouldn't be that different from what you're doing here.

What I did was make one solid that would give me the 3D edge I needed to be the Path for the Sweep.

So I made a Swept Blend, where the sweep path is a curve in plan, and the profiles are just two rectangles of different heights, one being the bottom of the handrail and the other being the top. That gives you a quick and dirty spiraling form. Then I picked the outside edge, and used that as my 3D path for my handrail Sweep. Make the first template form hidden by making Visibility = 0, and you're done.

Nice bit about doing it this way is that if something changes it's really easy to make updates. Update the template, then regenerate the sweep.

Now, with a form that crosses over itself such as you have here you can't do it as one thing. So why bother? I'd make a mid-section that repeats & stacks to make the spiral form of the slide, and then model the start and end bits and then stick them on there.

I can post pics / files later if I find time if you need them.

All,
thanks for the info. The sweep along a twisting void form was a start, but each segment has a metal band over the top to stiffen the plexiglass. Wasn't sure how to handle those when the slide is all one form. Well, the swept blend led me to Phil's old design approach of each floor as a twisting form trick. As it turns out I have 26 segments that move thru 390 degrees at a steady slope. It looks like I am going to be able to model each segment and nest, and have it not only give me the form, but allow the metal support to be a Fine LOD element as well. Top and bottom segments will get similar treatment.

Will post more over the weekend. Hopefully without any desperate calls for help before that.

Thanks!
Gordon