Creating the Tool Sweep

You can create a 3D shape by moving a symmetrical 2D profile (tool) along a specified path in the 3D area.

Before you begin: Open a product containing 2D profiles, curves, and axis systems.
  1. From the Volume section of the action bar, click Tool Sweep .
  2. Select a symmetrical 2D profile to be swept.

    Note: You can also select a concave shaped 2D profile.
    Important: This symmetrical 2D profile should only contain lines and arcs.

  3. Optional: In the Tool Sweep dialog box, clear the Automatic positioning check box.

    By default, this check box is selected and the axis origin and axis direction are automatically selected.

    Note: This check box is only available for the Linear interpolation and Axes motion types.

  4. In the Axis Origin and Axis Direction boxes, select the required features to position the axis manually.
  5. Under Motion, select one of the following motion types:
    OptionDescription
    Linear interpolation The tool is swept along the path defined by the reference axis system, the user defined vectors and corners.
    Axes The tool is swept along the path defined by the selected axis systems.
    Note: Minimum two axis systems must be provided as inputs to define the motion.
    Curve The tool is swept along the path defined by the selected curve with a fixed orientation.
    The Tool Sweep Definition dialog box displays the options required for the selected motion type.
  6. Specify the required features or parameters to define the sweep path. The following inputs are required for the respective motion types:

    Motion TypesRequired Inputs
    Linear interpolation
    • Axis System
    • Vectors: A, B, X, Y, Z
    • Corners: DX1, DX2, ATension1, ATension2, BTension1, BTension2, XTension1, XTension2, YTension1, YTension2, ZTension1, ZTension2

    Notes:
    • At least two vectors should be specified to define the motion.
    • Corners are created only on the intermediate vectors.

    AxesMultiple axis systems
    CurveCurve
    Notes: In the linear interpolation motion type,
    • The resulting axis systems are defined by rotating the reference axis system using the input parameters (A, B, X, Y, Z). For every vector, a resulting axis system is defined.
    • For each intermediate vector, the DX and Tension parameters provide the corner definition.

      Where,

      • DX1 is the distance between the vector and its previous vector along x-axis and DX2 is the distance between a vector and the vector next to it along the x axis.
      • Tension1 and Tension2 parameters: These are the tension parameters for vector inputs (A, B, X,Y, and Z).It defines the tension relative to the parameter before and after vector's original point. It's value is always a rel number between 0 and 1.

    • You can click to add a vector in the table.

A volume Tool Sweep.x feature is created.