Profile Blend

Profile Blend works in the same way as Freeform blend, but with an added curve(s) to define the profile shape. It does a similar job to the Rail tool, except:

Multiple boundaries can be used as rail curves.
There is no continuity option for the profiles, and less control over surface quality.

Access the tool from the Surfaces tool palette:

Profile Blend settings

Side 1 Continuity/Side 2 Continuity

Choose from:

G0 Position
G1 Tangent
G2 curvature
G3 curvature

The V degree of the blend surface is adjusted so that the surface has enough CVs to provide the required continuity on both sides.

Degree 4 is needed for G2 continuity on one side, and degree 5 is needed for G2 continuity on both sides

Degree 6 is needed for G3 continuity on one side, and degree 7 is needed for G3 continuity on both sides.

Note: If more than one blend surface is created, curvature continuity is not guaranteed between them, even if the primary surfaces are curvature continuous. Only tangent continuity is calculated.

Profile Blend common parameters

Profile Blend has the following Surface Tool Common Parameters sections:

Explicit Control
Surface Structure
Control Options

Profile Blend workflows

Shift-select the Profile Blend tool.
Select all the surface boundary curves.

The first set of boundaries is highlighted in green, and the second set of boundaries is highlighted in yellow.

Click the Accept button (or Space Bar as a shortcut).

Note: If Chain Select is turned on in the option window, selecting the boundary of one surface will also select all other boundaries that are tangent continuous with it.
Select all the profile curves that will define the transitional surface.

The selected profile curves are highlighted in red.

Click the Update button when you’re finished selecting the profile curves.