Create a Sweep

Create a 3D shape by sweeping a 2D profile along a path.

Video: Create a Sweep

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

Example: Use a sweep to create moldings, railings, or simple pipes.

Note: If you are creating a massing family or a component family using an adaptive component template, such as Generic Model Adaptive.rft, see Create a Sweep Form in the Conceptual Design Environment.

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

To create a solid or void sweep

1. In the Family Editor, on the Create tabForms panel, do one of the following.
   • To create a solid sweep, click (Sweep).
   • To create a void sweep, click Void Forms drop-down (Void Sweep).
   Note: If necessary, set the work plane before you sketch the sweep. Click Create tabWork Plane panel (Set).
2. Specify the sweep path:
   • To sketch a new path for the sweep, click Modify | Sweep tabSweep panel (Sketch Path).

     The path can either be a single closed or single open path. You cannot have multiple paths. The path can be a combination of straight lines and curves.

   • To select an existing line for the sweep, click Modify | Sweep tabSweep panel (Pick Path).

     You can use the Pick Path tool to make a sweep that uses multiple work planes. To select edges of existing geometry for path segments, click Pick 3D Edges. Or pick existing sketch lines, watching the status bar to know what you are picking.

     This method of picking automatically locks the sketch lines to the geometry you are picking and allows you to sketch the path in multiple work planes, allowing for a 3D path.

3. On the Mode panel, click (Finish Edit Mode).
4. Load or sketch a profile.

   To load a profile

   1. Click Modify | Sweep tabSweep panel, and select a profile from the Profile list.

      If the profile you need is not already loaded in the project, click Modify | Sweep tabSweep panel (Load Profile) to load the profile.

   2. On the Options Bar, use the X, Y, Angle, and Flip options to adjust the position of the profile.

      Enter values for X and Y to specify the offset for the profile.

      Enter a value for Angle to specify the angle of the profile. The angle rotates the profile around the profile origin. You can enter negative values to rotate in the opposite direction.

      Click Flip to flip the profile.

   3. Click Apply.
   4. Select the path, and in a 3D view, zoom in to see the profile.

   To sketch a profile

   1. Click Modify | Sweep tabSweep panel, verify <By Sketch> is displayed, and then click (Edit Profile).
   2. If the Go To View dialog displays, select the view where you want to sketch the profile, and click OK.

      For example, if you sketched the path in a plan view, you would choose an elevation view to sketch the profile. The profile sketch can be a single-closed loop or multiple closed loops that do not intersect. Sketch the profile near the intersection of the profile plane and the path.

   3. Sketch the profile. Profiles must be closed loops.
   4. Click Modify | SweepMode (Finish Edit Mode).
5. On the Properties palette, specify the sweep properties.
   • To set the visibility of a solid sweep, under Graphics, for Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit, and specify the visibility settings.
   • To apply a material to a solid sweep by category, under Materials and Finishes, click in the Material field, click , and specify a material.
   • To assign a solid sweep to a subcategory, under Identity Data, for Subcategory, select a subcategory.
   • Click Apply.
6. On the Mode panel, click (Finish Edit Mode).