# Need help drawing curved handrails for stairs

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [June 20, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398 "2021-06-20T16:24:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Msmetalmagic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/msmetalmagic/32/14899_2.png) [@Msmetalmagic](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Msmetalmagic)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/1 "2021-06-20T16:24:27Z")

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I do metal fabrication and mostly ornamental iron railings. I am having trouble learning how to draw complex railing designs. Shapr3d has proven very useful in designing both straight stair rails and curved flat rails, but I can’t figure out how to combine the curve drawn from top view, to the pitch and length of railing in side view.  
For example, imagine front steps to a home with curved handrail on each side. The steps are not curved, but the outside edge is.

 ![IMG_0579](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/6/62ef7abfc9a57fb3f3d03f12ab41b95348fc00ab.jpeg)  
The rail will match the pitch of steps, and lateral curvature of sides.

I’ve been trying to create a plane on the pitch and then draw the curve. I think I’m having trouble getting points to connect on different planes. I may result to drawing the entire set of steps to build off of, rather than using basic measurements that I use in shop to build this.

I can draw and build this on my table in the shop, but believe being able to draw them with shapr3d and then make a blueprint, will make the process more efficient. That is if I can get familiar with the process.

Here are two attempts where I got stuck.

 ![IMG_0581](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/b/b890a2718f081028aaccc5f7638f1ac647967d81.jpeg)

 ![IMG_0580](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/b/bff248561f71724eeecb4af37ed94dd07c2151e1.jpeg)

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 5:19pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/2 "2021-06-20T17:19:01Z")

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Clue: Project a curved line to a curved body. That’s one way.

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**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/3 "2021-06-20T17:23:15Z")

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Also you can move one end of the body to raise it up. The revolve tool also works.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/4 "2021-06-21T00:14:13Z")

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Here I’ve illustrated what @Oregonerd stated in his last reply. Use a partial **Revolve** and then move one end up or down.

[https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/e/e8c8143140c362fb7ec0d0fb18961d1d98c1e377.MOV](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/e/e8c8143140c362fb7ec0d0fb18961d1d98c1e377.MOV)

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**Author:** ![Msmetalmagic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/msmetalmagic/32/14899_2.png) [@Msmetalmagic](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Msmetalmagic)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/5 "2021-06-21T13:35:05Z")

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That revolve method worked well. I made the top and bottom rail, and a post.  
What method would be best for laying out posts and pickets in a curved stair rail?  
I’m gonna try laying it out on a sketch of the curve. Then extrude, revolve, and raise everything to its height.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/need-help-drawing-curved-handrails-for-stairs/13398/6 "2021-06-21T16:56:20Z")

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Have a look a these…

[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/1/6/164aa8bbe2f4870a96a7075b9bc9b24dc3793e00.jpeg "Designing spiral staircases on iPad with Shapr3D | 3D Design Webinar") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_-p_nl-mIM)

[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/3/4/34038cfc9b85c01e1c5d810aeb0c39e1f6f2bd9c.jpeg "Designing Curved Rails on iPad | 3D Design Webinar") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpKXltTDOek)