Create a Solid or Surface by Sweeping (Concept)

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Create a Solid or Surface by Sweeping

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Concept

Procedure

Quick Reference

Create a new solid or surface by sweeping a planar curve (profile) along a path.

The SWEEP command draws a solid or surface object by extending a profile shape (the swept object) along a specified path. When you sweep a profile along a path, the profile is moved and aligned normal (perpendicular) to the path.

If you sweep a closed curve along a path, the result is a solid. If you sweep an open curve along a path, the result is a surface.

You can sweep more than one profile object, but all objects must lie on the same plane.

The DELOBJ system variable controls whether the profile and sweep path are automatically deleted.

Options for Sweeping

Swept objects can be twisted or scaled as they are swept. You can also use the Properties palette to specify the following properties for the swept object:

Profile Rotation. Rotates the swept profile about the path.
Scale Along Path. Sets a scale factor of the end of the profile compared to the start of the profile.
Twist Along Path. Sets a twist angle for the objects being swept. The value you enter sets the angle of rotation of the endpoint compared to the start point.
Bank (natural rotation). Specifies whether the curve of a twisted profile rotates naturally along a 3D path.

The Properties palette does not allow changes to be made to swept properties under the following conditions:

If the Alignment option was turned off when the profile was swept
If the change would result in a modeling error such as a self-intersecting solid

TipTo sweep a profile such as a closed polyline along a helix, move or rotate the profile into place. Turn off the Alignment option in the SWEEP command. If you get a modeling error, make sure that the result will not intersect itself.

For information about what type of objects can be used to create swept solids or surfaces, see SWEEP.