Helix dialog

Use the Helix dialog to create a helix.

To display the Helix dialog:

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

   

2. Click in the graphics window to locate the centre of the base of the helix.

This dialog contains the following:

• Height — Enter the height of the helix.

  In this case, the Base radius is the same as the Top radius .

• Pitch — Enter the distance between successive turns.
• Turns — Enter the number of revolutions in the helix.

  

Note: Height, Pitch, and Turns are inter-related. You can edit any two while locking the third.

• Unlocked — When displayed, you can edit the value. When unlocked, changing other values may change unlocked values.
• Locked — When displayed, you cannot edit the value. When locked, changing other values does not change locked values.

Note: Click the button to toggle between Locked and Unlocked .

• Points in each turn — Enter the number of points in each revolution.
• Top radius — Enter the radius at the top of the helix.
• Base radius — Enter the radius at the bottom of the helix.
• Constant radius — When selected creates a straight helix. When deselected enables you to create a tapered helix.

  Straight helix:

  

  Tapered helix:

  

• Flip direction — Select to change from an counter-clockwise to a clockwise helix.

  Selecting Flip direction converts this:

  

  to this:

  

• Close top — Select to end the helix with a circle at its top.

  Deselected:

  

  Selected:

  

• Close base — Select to end the helix with a circle at its base.

  Deselected:

  

  Selected:

  

For more information, see creating a helix example.