Creating a NURBS surface by revolving a profile along a rail

Command

Path

Revolve with Rail

Model > 3D Power Pack

Complex NURBS surfaces can be created by revolving a profile along a guide curve (rail). This is an alternate, and sometimes easier, method of creating NURBS surfaces than using the Loft Surface tool, especially when creating tent-like structures.

The Revolve with Rail command creates the NURBS surface by revolving a planar NURBS curve about an axis. The revolution is guided by a rail curve on a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the profile curve and axis.

Rail_1.png 

To create a NURBS surface with profile and rail:

Create the axis, rail and profile out of NURBS curves that meet the following requirements.

The axis must be a linear NURBS curve.

The profile must be a planar NURBS curve.

The profile cannot intersect the axis, though it can touch.

The axis must lie on the same plane as the profile.

The rail must be a planar NURBS curve that lies on a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the axis and profile.

Select the command. Select, in order, the axis, profile, and rail.

Rail_2.png 

The NURBS surfaces are automatically created.

 

The rail defines the extent of the revolution. An open rail curve generates surfaces until the rail ends.

Rail_5.png 

Creating a loft surface

Creating surfaces from curves

Creating a drape surface

Creating a fillet surface

Creating planar caps

NURBS surface properties

Concept: NURBS curves and surfaces

 

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