How do I create a spring (helix)?

[JohnW]

Hi,
I need to create a slide showing a spring shape and then add four lines
passing through the centre.

I couldn't find anything on the forum.

Thanks

 

[WapperDude]

Don't know of any existing shape. I would make the helix in out of two
shapes -- the helix section "in front", and then copy/paste and flip in
either X or Y. Adjust the fill pattern/color as desired. Finally, send this
section to the back, and then align your shapes. You may want to group them.
If you make just a small piece of helix, then, you can lay these end-to-end
to make an arbitrarily long spring. Draw your 4 lines, and send them
backwards (menu bar>shape>order. The four lines will nest between the two,
upper and lower, helix shapes.

HTH
Wapperdude

 

[JohnW]

Thanks I'll give it a try.
--
John Whyte

Don't know of any existing shape. I would make the helix in out of two
shapes -- the helix section "in front", and then copy/paste and flip in
either X or Y. Adjust the fill pattern/color as desired. Finally, send this
section to the back, and then align your shapes. You may want to group them.
If you make just a small piece of helix, then, you can lay these end-to-end
to make an arbitrarily long spring. Draw your 4 lines, and send them
backwards (menu bar>shape>order. The four lines will nest between the two,
upper and lower, helix shapes.

HTH
Wapperdude

 

[WapperDude]

One more thought -- if you're going to make a long, meandering shape, e.g., a
bundled 4 wire set surrounding by spiral wrap, then you'll want to look into
making a custom line shape. It will be more effective than stringing a bunch
of small pieces together. To do so, refer to the following websites: 1.)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa200997(office.10).aspx, and John
Goldsmith's visLog:
http://visualsignals.typepad.co.uk/vislog/2008/03/creating-random.html. John
has two entries on the subject, the end of the 2nd has some interesting
spiral shapes provided by Visio Guy, Chris Roth. These will give you ideas