How to create a pipe or a tube along a curved path in Rhino?
Short Answer
Use Rhino’s Pipe command to create a pipe or tube along a curved path. Select the curve, run Pipe, then set the radius, cap type, and whether you want one or multiple radii along the path. This is the fastest professional method in Rhino 3D. Limitation: the path curve must be clean and usable.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: If the path curve is broken, self-intersecting, or has very tight bends compared to the pipe radius, the pipe can fail or generate invalid geometry. This is especially common when imported curves contain tiny segments or overlapping control points.
How to Create a Pipe or Tube Along a Curved Path in Rhino
Command: Pipe
Shortcut: _Pipe
Quick Steps:
- Select the curve that will define the pipe path, or start the command from the command line by typing
Pipe. - Enter the pipe radius when prompted, then choose options such as Cap=Flat/Round/None in the command line.
- Press Enter to finish, or add more radius points along the curve if you need a variable-radius tube.
- Select the curve that will define the pipe path, or start the command from the command line by typing
Variables & Settings
Key Setting: Cap option
Expert Setting: Use Cap=Flat or Cap=Round if you need a closed solid for modeling or boolean operations. Use Cap=None if you only need an open tube surface for reference or downstream surfacing work.
Why it Fails
- Cause 1 (Geometry): The path curve has kinks, self-intersections, duplicate segments, or bends tighter than the chosen radius can support.
- Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The curve is on a locked layer or is referenced in a way that prevents proper selection or editing.
- Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The radius is too large for the curve shape, or multiple radius inputs create overlapping pipe sections that Rhino cannot solve cleanly.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
- Quick Fix: Run SelBadObjects after creating the pipe, and clean the path first with Rebuild or SimplifyCrv if the result fails.
- Manager’s Verdict: Use Pipe for standard tubular geometry because it is faster and more reliable than manual sweep workflows. Avoid it for highly irregular or production-critical geometry where tight curvature may require Sweep1 instead.
FAQ
Can Rhino make a hollow tube along a curve?
Yes, use Pipe with a radius and wall setup workflow, or create inner and outer pipes as needed.
Can I change the pipe radius along the path?
Yes, Pipe supports multiple radius points along the selected curve.
Why is my pipe not a closed solid?
The Cap option may be set to None, or the curve and radius combination may have caused an open or failed result.
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