Creating a spiral example

This example shows how to create a spiral using the Curve Editor tab.

1. Click Curve Editor tab > Create panel > Curves > Spiral, which attaches a spiral to the cursor.

   

2. Click to locate the centre of the spiral, or enter the coordinates in on the Status bar, to display the Spiral dialog.

   PowerMill also draws a spiral.

   

   The spiral is yellow and has:

   • a blue handle which enables you to edit the End radius graphically.
   • blue points showing the number and location of the points in each turn.
   • a blue circle at its centre that enables you to edit the location of the spiral graphically.
3. Enter suitable values, for example:
   1. Start radius of 0.
   2. End radius of 60.
   3. Number of turns of 3.
   4. Points in each turn of 8.
   5. Click OK.

   

   Clicking OK creates a spline curve that you cannot edit.

Alternatively, you can create the spiral graphically. For example, if you select the end radius-handle (the cursor changes to ) and drag it to a new position, the end radius changes.

Select the centre handle and drag it to a new position to move the spiral .