Align a shape to a curve

Choose the Surfacing tab→Subdivision Modeling command , and then create a basic subdivision shape.

If you want to use a predefined sketch instead of free-form gestures, use the Curve command or the 3D Curve command to draw one or more sketch curves, and use PathFinder to show them in the graphics window.

This example shows a single curve.

Select the Home tab→Modify group→Align to Curve command .

On the command bar, the Vertices step is active. Click one or more vertices on the subdivision shape that you want to align to the curve, or use fence selection to select many vertices at once. Click Accept on the command bar to continue.

The Alignment Direction step is active so you can specify the direction to move the selected vertices. Click a horizontal or vertical edge on the subdivision shape, or click an axis, or an element on a secondary body in the document.

The double-sided red vector indicates the alignment direction. To use the direction normal to the curve, press N. Click Accept or right-click or press Enter to continue.

The Curves step is active, and the view plane matching the selected vector is locked and displayed for reference. The length of the curve you gesture or select in this step determines the number of selected vertices that are moved. If the curve is above the subdivision shape, the points move up to the curve. To remove material from the shape instead of adding it, draw a sketch across the body.

Do any of the following to provide input to the Curves step.

• To select a previously created sketch, click the sketch curve displayed on the view plane.

  

• Click several points to create a curve through them. Right-click finishes the curve. Any selected, eligible vertex points are moved to the curve.

  

• To gesture a curve on this plane, click+drag, releasing the mouse button to end the curve. Any selected, eligible vertex points are moved to the curve along the specified vector when you release the mouse button. Click+drag to gesture the next sketch curve as needed.

  

When you select a previously created sketch instead of gestures, the vertex points do not move until you click Accept.

Continue adjusting the shape using the command bar:

• While the Curves step is active, you can click the Back and Forward buttons to undo and redo each alignment of the shape to the curve until you achieve the shape you want.

  

• Click any of the step buttons to change the vertex selection, alignment direction, or to draw more curves.

Press Enter or right-click to finish the Curves step.

The command restarts at the Vertices step. Press Esc to exit the command.

Insert a sketch or image of the object you want to model into a part or sheet metal document.

Sketch the outline of the design using the Curve or 3D Curve command, or draw a series of sketches that can be applied one at a time to more complex shapes.

You achieve better results by drawing a series of shorter sketch curves than by sketching one continuous curve.

The resulting image and sketch are listed in PathFinder in the Sketches collector and are selectable using QuickPick. You can show and hide different elements as you work.

Choose the Surfacing tab→Subdivision Modeling command, and then create the subdivision shape.

Select the Home tab→Modify group→Align to Curve command .

On the command bar, the Vertices step is active. Click one or more vertex points on the subdivision cage that you want to align to the curve, or use fence selection to select all the vertices on a cage face. To remove an unwanted vertex from the selection set, use Shift+click.

Vertices can be selected from multiple cages and do not have to lie on the same plane.

Click Accept on the command bar to continue.

The Alignment Direction step is active for you to specify the direction to move the selected vertices. Click a horizontal or vertical element on the subdivision shape or on the base coordinate system that matches the view orientation of the sketch you created previously.

Click Accept to continue.

The Curves step is active. Click a previously created curve sketch that matches the alignment direction. If you created multiple, smaller sketches that lie on the same plane, then set the Selection list to Chain, and click all the sketches.

Click Accept to complete the curves step.

Press Enter or right-click to finish, and press Esc to exit the command.