How to change a Torus Shape

In order to learn a lot more about using this wonderful tool, I am recreating a wheelchair using exact measurements and photos. Not I've run into a couple of slight issues.

First, I need to build a torus with an oval cross-section. Is there a way to do this with a torus? Or do I have to build an array using the cross-section shape?

I could also use a torus with 4 minor faces but with a flat on the inside.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Rob

Good evening,
I have not done this in a while, but you can create the torus or any shape using a curve. Look for a create shape from curve tutorial. I cant find one in my files at this time, but I know you create a shape like you want an oval and that is located near the base of your curve (circle for you) then you tell the curve to use the oval for a shape.
The other thing you could do (I would do this) is add a circle and then edit it to an oval with its center located at the radius you need for the torus. Then, I would extrude it (E in edit mode) and rotate it perhapes 20 degrees depending on the accuracy you need the shape to be. Keep doing that until you can join the last two faces.
Let me know if you cannot find a tutorial and I will figure out how to do it and let you know.
Good luck.
Scooter

Thanks.

I've had a lot of trouble using shapes on a curve. I can follow the tutorials EXACTLY but I get a different result from what the tutorials say I should.

It will be easier to build the oval then build it into an array around an empty. I have had some trouble doing that as well. I'm still working on that. For some reason, the object that I'm trying to build into a circular array does not form in a circle around the empty object, but in a circle through the empty object. Makes the circle the wrong size.

Rob

Good morning,
It took me a minute to learn how to use the array modifier, I have never used it.
Make sure your object and empty have their axis in the same direction and make sure their origins are in the same location. In the array modifier, use "fixed count" and start with a low number like 8 so you can see what is going on. Have both relative and constant offset off and set the empty as "object offset"
If you are going to "apply the modifier" to make it a whole mesh, them adjust the oval shap to taper toward the center of rotation to make the "merge" verticies work. You can adjust how far the distance they will merge some.
BTW, you can adjust the empty up/down to create a helix.
Good luck.
Scooter

Thank you for the reply.

I will be testing the array modifier again while keeping track of the axes and origins.

I'll see if I can build my ovoid cross-section torus that way.

For another part of my work I was able to use a circle with 5 vertices and use my required shape at each vertex. Dupliverts I believe it's called. Worked really well.

Rob

There are a few different ways you could approach this. Perhaps the easiest way might be to build a torus with the appropriate inner and outer diameters, then use the PET tool, you scale inward the two middle loops that you selected with the loop select function (Alt-Click). Alternatively you could use a curve circle with a BevObj defined. This BevObj should be another curve in the oval shape that you need.
Good luck!