Profile along a Path

images/download/attachments/173278558/CmdMeshExtrusionProfileAlongPath.svg

This command creates a 3D mesh corresponding to a profile extrusion along a path.

Requirements

Select only a profile: it can be a planar polyline, a planar CAD wire, a planar CAD curve, or a linear geometry. The profile may have been drawn either in the X0Y plane of the activated UCS or in 3D at any station.


  1. If necessary, revert the profile.

  2. Select the Path to extrude along: it can be a polyline, a CAD wire, a CAD curve, or a linear geometry. The intersections between the profile and the path will be displayed on the left window (same color as the path).

  3. If necessary, invert the path direction.

  4. Define the Profile base point: this point will follow the path.

  5. Optionally, check Turn with the curve if you want the profile to be oriented according to the curve all along the path (pitch and heading).
    In that case, you can also check Lean on a second path if you want to fix the last degree of freedom (roll).

    1. Select the Second Path to lean on: it can be a polyline, a CAD wire, a CAD curve, or a linear geometry. The intersections between the profile and the second path will be displayed on the left window (same color as the second path).

    2. Define the Profile lean point: at any station along the path, this point will be aligned on the direction from the path to the second path.

  6. In case of a closed profile and an open path, optionally check Close extremities, if you want a closed mesh as output.

Notes

  • The profile to extrude will be automatically moved in order to be perpendicular to the first vector of the path.

  • The extrusion range may be shorter in case of too short secondary path: extend its extremities.

  • Add vertices on the path to manage the sampling of transitions thanks to the command Resample Polyline.