In creating a sweep along a path you will:

• create one or more new sketches
• create a path for the sweep
• create a valid profile to use for the sweep

To sweep a profile along a sketch path:

• create a new sketch on the base plane and name it path

• create a new sketch on the frontal plane and name it section

• on the section sketch, draw the profile which is to be swept along the path

• apply constraints to the profile if required

• activate the path sketch

• draw a line passing through the profile at ninety degrees (90) to the profile

• from the end of this straight line draw additional lines, arcs, splines to complete the path

• apply constraints to the path if required

• EITHER from the Features menu select Sweep profile then along sketch path

• OR select Sweep profile along path tool from the features toolbar

• in the dialog box:

  • check that the correct sketch has been chosen for the profile (section in this case)

  • check that the correct sketch has been chosen for the path (path in this case)

  • select add material or subtract material as appropriate

  • if a thin is required:

    • check the thin box

    • state a thickness for the wall of the thin

    • choose whether symmetrical or not

• click the OK button to complete the sweep

Possible problems

Common problems include:

• the program has selected the wrong sketches to use for the path and profile

redefine the the selection in the dialog box

• the profile you are using is not a valid profile

test by selecting one line and from select menu choose add connected lines

all lines should turn red, indicating that they are all connected

sometimes it may be faster to recreate the profile

• the path is not continuous

test by selecting one line and from select menu choose add connected lines

all lines should turn red, indicating that they are all connected

sometimes it may be faster to recreate the path

• the path contains curves which are too tight for the profile to fit around

solution: use larger curves in the path

• the first line in the profile path must cross the profile at 90 degrees

the only exception to this is when a spline is used

• if the sweep is being used to subtract material, it must actually hit a model