extrude with variable sweep

[Ramis]

hey guys
so modelling this compass i have. and for one part i had to
use variable sweep to make a face. now since the face isnt
flat (i think the proper word is its a curvature) i am not
able to make patterns on it. basically i want to make a
extrude of a small semicirlce so on the surface and then
make copy that over the surface so that its a pattern. but
i cant think of a way to do that. please help (the part
file can be given at request)

 

[cpoirier]

Give me the model and I'll give it a shot if you want. Here is what I am thinking. Place an axis to rotate about. Place a plane that is above the entire surface. Sketch the shape to project onto and reference the axis as a center point to visualize placement. Use the offset by sketch command and then Array about the axis. This may not work, not sure. Logically if you stay on the same surface it might just work.
If the axis pattern does not work I would then try to set up some datum planes and use a dimension pattern. Pro can some times require a lot of work to get what you want, but sometimes it surprises and delights me when it can pull off something like this.

Chris

 

[Ramis]

Give me the model and I'll give it a
shot if you want. Here is what I am thinking. Place an
axis to rotate about. Place a plane that is above the
entire surface. Sketch the shape to project onto and
reference the axis as a center point to visualize
placement. Use the offset by sketch command and then
Array about the axis. This may not work, not sure.
Logically if you stay on the same surface it might just
work. If the axis pattern does not work I would then try
to set up some datum planes and use a dimension pattern.
Pro can some times require a lot of work to get what you
want, but sometimes it surprises and delights me when it
can pull off something like this.Chris

thanks alot
I have attached the file and also a few images of the
object so you get the idea of how it looks. hope you can
do it 22_203055_files.rar">2011-04-22_203055_files.rar
Edited by: Ramis