Catenary for AutoCAD - JTBCatenary

About JTBCatenary

This Catenary program for AutoCAD makes it easy to create or draw a catenary curve as a polyline by specifying the start and end point and the length and optionally a diameter (width). This can be useful for drawing freely hanging cable, hose, chain, transmission line, anchor line (anchor rode), cord, rope, string, suspension bridge cable, arch, hawser, wire or the like.

The current version is creating a catenary line using the catenary formula y = cosh(x) = (e^x + e^-x)/2 and numeric analysis that results in a good enough curve for many purposes. The program does not take into account the tension of an elastic catenary, sag, weight and so on. Support for this can be added based on user requests.

A parabola is different from a catenary. The catenary is the solution to a differential equation that describes a shape that directs the force of its own weight along its own curve, so that, if hanging, it is pulled into that shape, and, if standing upright, it can support itself. The parabola does not have the same property.

Catenary described according to Wikipedia:

In physics and geometry, the catenary is the curve that an idealized hanging chain or cable assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends. The curve has a U-like shape, superficially similar in appearance to a parabola (though mathematically quite different). It also appears in the design of certain types of arches and as a cross section of the catenoid -- the shape assumed by a soap film bounded by two parallel circular rings.
The catenary is also called the "alysoid", "chainette", or, particularly in the material sciences, "funicular".
Mathematically, the catenary curve is the graph of the hyperbolic cosine function. The surface of revolution of the catenary curve, the catenoid, is a minimal surface, and is the only minimal surface of revolution other than the plane. The mathematical properties of the catenary curve were first studied by Robert Hooke in the 1670s, and its equation was derived by Leibniz, Huygens and Johann Bernoulli in 1691.
Catenaries and related curves appear in architecture and engineering, in the design of bridges and arches. A sufficiently heavy anchor chain will form a catenary curve.
Most suspension bridge cables like the Golden Gate Bridge follow a parabolic, not a catenary curve, due to the weight of the roadway being much greater than that of the cable.

Download

Trial version available for download: JTBCatenaryTrial.VLX

Limitation of trial is that the length is fixed to 10 meters.

Customers can contact us directly for access to download the full version.

System requirements

AutoCAD 2000 or later or verticals based on AutoCAD where AutoCAD 2014 is the most recent version supported.

All verticals or flavors based on AutoCAD should be working like AutoCAD Architecture (ACA), Architectural Desktop (ADT), AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Electrical , AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP (AMEP, ABS), AutoCAD P&ID.

Bricscad 10 and newer can be supported upon request.

Compatible with those operating systems AutoCAD runs on like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Purchase

25 EUR for one license or less depending on the amount of licenses.

When you purchase with PayPal you can use your credit card or bank account where available. You will be emailed the license (this is done manually but normally within 24 hours). If you want to purchase for example 15 licenses add first 10 to the chart and then add 5.

Contact us for a quote and include how many licenses you want to purchase and your preferred payment method. If you have a really many users that you want to give access to this software we can discuss a discounted price based on your particular situation. Educational discounts available. Network license needs can be met.

The license is perpetual and support is included. If you have more than one computer and you are the only user of the application one license is enough.

PayPal, share-it, Mastercard/Eurocard, Visa, American Express, and Diner's Club online are accepted. Alternatively, there is support for bank transfer/wire transfer, or Checks and Money Orders through postal mail. Online transfers via giropay and Nordea Solo are also supported.

To pay by PayPal you can also send payment to the account of info@jtbworld.com at www.paypal.com.

Documentation

Installation

Download JTBCatenaryTrial.VLX or the full version JTBCatenary.VLX and put it in any folder of your choice.

Loading

Appload command can be used to load the VLX. To make sure it is loaded automatically click on Startup Suite Contents button and add it.

acaddoc.lsp can also be used.

Usage

The command to start the program is JTBCatenary (JC for short).

The program prompts are:
Start point:
End point:
Length <10000>:
Diameter <0.0>:

Note that the length must be longer than the distance between the start and end points.

The resulting catenary will be created in the current drawing (DWG or DXF) as a polyline with the width being the same as the diameter.

Revision History

2012-11-05 - version 1.0
- First public release

If you want other features added like tension, 3D, Catenary curve through three points or support for other CAD programs like Autodesk Revit feel free to contact us with your wishes.