In the next portion of the exercise, we create the rail or "guide curve" to use in the lofting operation.
- Orient the part so the narrow end is facing you as shown in the following image.
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Start a new sketch on the narrow end of the part on the face indicated. -
Start the Spline command and sketch a spline from the midpoint of the projected vertical line to a point above the midpoint of the part. Place the final point at the midpoint of the opposite projected vertical line. Double-click the last point to create the spline. - Choose Done from the context menu or press the Escape key to finish the spline command.
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Place a vertical constraint between the middle fit point and the midpoint of the projected line. - Place a 7-mm dimension from the midpoint of the top edge to the middle fit point.
- Choose Done from the context menu or press the Escape key to finish the dimension command.
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Right-click the middle fit point and choose Flat from the context menu. The mid-section of the spline now has zero curvature. Although not required for this exercise, a unitless dimension can be applied to the handle to extend the length of the flat segment.
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Finish the sketch. - Save the file.