Create a surface in the shape of a spiral tube (helix) in order to model objects such as appliance cords or springs.
First you need to model a spiral curve to act as a rail. You then place a small circle or other closed curve at the beginning of the spiral to act as the profile. Finally, you use Swept surface tools such as Extrude or Rail Surface to produce the coil.
Draw a straight line that has the height of the spiral.
From one end of this line, create another straight line, perpendicular to it. The length of this second line should equal the radius of the spiral.
In the Surfaces tool palette, select the Swept Surfaces > Rail Surface tool , then the icon.
In the control window, do the following:
Select the second curve as the Generation Curve and the first curve as the Rail Curve to create a spiral surface.
In the Curve Edit tool palette, select the Create > Duplicate Curve tool and select the outside edge of the surface.
Delete (or hide) the surface and keep only the curve.
Place a small closed curve (such as a circle) centered at the beginning of the spiral, and perpendicular to it.
In the Surfaces tool palette, do one of the following:
Select the small closed curve first, then the spiral curve.
This method uses the Revolve tool.
Place a small closed curve (such as a circle) centered at the beginning of the spiral, and perpendicular to it.
In the Surfaces tool palette, select the Revolve tool, then the icon.
In the control window:
Select the closed curve you created in step 1.
Change the radius of the helix by dragging the circular dot on the manipulator.
Create a generation curve and a rail curve. The distance between the generation curve and rail curve is the radius of the helix.
In the Surfaces tool palette, select the Swept Surfaces > Rail Surface tool , then the icon.
In the Rail Surface Control window:
Click the generation curve.
A 3D locator appears and you are prompted for the generation curve pivot. Use magnet snapping to move it to the starting point of the rail curve. Then click Go.
Click the rail curve.
A curve locator appears for the rail curve pivot. Move the locator to the starting point of the rail curve, then click Go.
The generation curve’s pivot point moves along the rail curve. Since the pivot is offset from the actual generation curve, the generation curve sweeps the new surface at an offset from the rail curve.
In the Rotate Xform field, enter the degrees of rotation you want as the generation curve travels around the rail curve.
For example, if you enter 360, the generation curve makes one full revolution as it travels the length of the rail curve.
helix curves helix curves active