I am trying to create spiral stairs around a large radius. (A task, that I have successfully created previously,but cannot now in SW2011) 

I can create the stair stringers fine using a sweep along a 3d curve but I cannot get SW to pattern the treads properly.

My previous method to create these stairs was:

1. to create a 3d curve, based on a helix, to represent the CL of the spiral stair sweep

2. Create a dummy feature on this curve

3. Pattern this feature along the curve with a given spacing, alinging a face to be tangent to the curve

4. Assemble the treads to the dummy, patterned feature

Step 4 is where I have the issue.  SW will not allow me to select a face to remain tangent to the curve.  As a result the patterened dummy feature is incorrectly aligned.

I have just tried doing a pattern along a curve with a simple 2d curve, and I have to same problem (See attached).  In this part, I would like the outer face of the block to always remain on the inside of the curve, but as you will see this doesn't happen.

Does anyone know of a work around for this issue.  I have contacted my VAR and they say is looks like a bug with 2011 that most likely won't be fixed until the next service pack (maybe)

Thanks,

Jason