Defining the Profile

You can use the various ways to define the profile to be swept when creating subdivision surfaces using the Extrude or Revolve commands.

Before you begin: Open the Revolve or Extrude command from the Shape Sculpt section of the action bar
  1. From the Tools Palette, click one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Drawing View Reframes on the drawing view.
    Plane Selection Creates primitive profiles.
    Primitive Profile Selects a new plane of drawing.
    Add Point Adds points to the curve being created (it is selected by default).
    Move Point Manipulates the points.
    Align Point Aligns the points.
    Attraction Adds weight to the points.
    Erase Point Erases a point.
    Profile Selection Selects a curve as the profile.
    Pick a Point Picks a point.
    Close Curve Closes the curve.
    Fill Side Closes open ends of the surface (it is only available with the Revolve command).

    See Creating Revolution Surfaces.

    Apply Validates the command.
  2. Optional: Click Primitive Profile to define or initialize the profile that will generate the surface.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+O.

    Various 2D profiles appear:

    • Profiles and subprofiles at the top side.
    • Numbers on the right-hand side.
    • Letters at the bottom of the screen.
    Note: You can delete the profile by clicking in the left-hand corner.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

    A low-light frame is displayed at the extremity of the profile and handles are available in this frame to apply 2D transformations to the profile. The closest handle to the pointer is active.

    • The handle in the center lets you move the profile.
    • The handle in the outside corner lets you rotate the profile.
    • The handle in the inside corner lets you scale the profile.
    • The handle in the inside border lets you scale the profile horizontally or vertically.
    • The handle in the outside border lets you slide the profile.
    Rotation of the profile (Extrusion)

    Sliding of the profile (Revolution)

    Note: It is possible to add points to the created primitive by clicking Add Point .
  3. Click Plane Selection to change the drawing plane.
    The Tools Palette now shows Plane Selection only, which is selected by default.
  4. Select the new plane.
  5. Add a new point on an existing curve by clicking the pointer at the required position.

    The point is previewed on the existing curve.

    Once the point is created, the surface is immediately previewed.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

  6. Click Move Point .
    The point closest to the pointer is manipulated.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+M.

    When this command is activated, four new icons appear in the Tools Palette.

    • Attenuation: Sets the attenuation factor.
    • Handles On/Off: Moves the point or edge using the handle. This icon is not selected by default, so the handles are in Off state. When selected and handles are in On state, its display is modified to .
      Important:
      • If a single point is selected, the handle is positioned on the point. If a single edge is selected, the handle is positioned at the center of the edge.
      • If multiple points or edges are selected, the handle is positioned on the barycenter of the selected points.
      • To move the point, left-click and drag the handle to the required location.
      • The direction of displacement is defined by the axis selected on the handle. For horizontal displacement, select the X' axis, for vertical displacement, select the Y' axis and for planar displacement select the X'Y' arc.
    • Edge Selection: Allows the selection of edges for manipulation.
    • Vertex Selection: Allows the selection of point for manipulation.

  7. To move the point, select the point and do either of the following:
    • Left-click and move the pointer.
    • Click Handle On/Off to activate the On state and drag the handle to move the point.
      Extrusion

      Tip: You can select multiple points or edges.
      Revolution

  8. Optional: Select the point and click Pick a Point .
    The selected point is moved to the projection of the picked point in the drawing plane.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

  9. Click Align Point to align a point or an edge horizontally and vertically.

    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Q.

    When this command is activated, three new icons appear in the Tools Palette.

    OptionDescription
    Edge Selection Allows the selection of edges.
    Edge Selection Allows the selection of points.
    Handle On/Off Aligns the point or edge using the handle. This icon is not selected by default, so the handles are in Off state. When selected and handles are in On state, its display is modified to .
  10. Move the pointer over the point you want to align.
    The segment closest to the mouse is highlighted. Horizontal and vertical segments are seen.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

  11. Select the point.
    The other point moves along the horizontal or vertical segment.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

    The choice of horizontal or vertical segment is automatic and the chosen direction depends on the smallest angle of rotation.

  12. Optional: Select two or more points and click Handle On/Off .
  13. Click on the interactive arrow to align the point.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

  14. Click Attraction to add weight to the point or the edge.
    Three new icons are added to the Tools Palette.
    • Edge Selection: Selects edges for the alignment.
    • Vertex Selection: Selects point for the alignment.
    • Smooth/Sharp Attraction: Defines the attraction mode. This icon has two states: Sharp Attraction gives a sharp edge and Smooth Attraction gives a smooth edge.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F.
  15. Select the point or the edge.
    A slider indicating the value of the weight is displayed on the right of the screen and can be changed between 0 and 100.
  16. Use the slider to reach the required value and release the pointer it when done.
    Extrusion

    Revolution

    See About the Slider.

  17. Click Erase Point to delete a point or an edge.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+D.
  18. Select a point or an edge.
    The selected element is deleted.
  19. Click Close Curve to close the curve.
    The icon changes to .
    Extrusion

    Revolution

    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Y.
  20. Click Close Curve again to open the curve.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Y.
  21. Click Drawing view to reposition the view to the drawing view, that is the plane.
    Tip: You can also access this command by pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.