Create a Revolve

Create a 3D shape by sweeping a 2D profile around an axis.

For information about using revolves in families, see Creating Family Geometry.

About revolves

A revolve is a form that you create by revolving a shape around an axis. You can revolve the shape in a circle or any fraction of a circle. If the axis touches the revolve shape, the result is a solid.

Video: Create a Revolve

Solid revolved geometry created near axis

If you sketch away from the axis, the resulting geometry has a hole in it.

Revolved geometry created away from axis

Use solid revolves to create family geometry like door and furniture knobs, columns, and dome roofs.

The following procedure is a general method for creating revolved geometry. Steps may vary depending on your design intent.

To create a solid or void revolve

1. In the Family Editor, on the Create tabForms panel, do one of the following:
   • Click (Revolve).
   • Click Void Forms drop-down (Void Revolve).
   Note: If necessary, set the work plane before you sketch the revolve. Click Create tabWork Plane panel (Set).
2. Place an axis of revolution:
   • On the Modify | Create Revolve tabDraw panel, click (Axis Line).
   • Specify the start and endpoint of the axis at the desired orientation.
3. Use the Draw tools to sketch a shape to revolve around the axis:
   • Click Modify | Create Revolve tabDraw panel (Boundary Line).
   • To create a single revolve, sketch a closed loop.
   • To create more than one revolve, sketch multiple, non-intersecting, closed loops.
   Attention: If the axis touches the revolve shape, the result is a solid. If the axis does not touch the revolve shape, the revolve will have a hole in it.
4. On the Properties palette, change the properties of the revolve:
   • To change the start and end points of the geometry to revolve, enter a new Start and End Angle.
   • To set the visibility of a solid revolve, under Graphics, for Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit.
   • To apply a material to a solid revolve by category, under Materials and Finishes, click in the Material field, and click to specify a material.
   • To assign a solid revolve to a subcategory, under Identity Data, for Subcategory, select a subcategory.
   • Click Apply.
5. On the Mode panel, click (Finish Edit Mode).
6. To view the revolve, open a 3D view.
7. To resize the revolve in the 3D view, select and use grips to edit it.
   Note: You cannot drag the start and end faces of a 360-degree revolve.