Creates a 3D object by driving a 2D profile along a path. The profile and path do not have to touch or be in different workplanes; the profile section will be "brought" to the start of the path, made normal to the path, and swept along it.
If you are going to use Compound profiles for both the path and the profile you will need a base point. The base point specifies the point though which the profile will follow the path.
To create a base point, use the Point tool and place a point at the location adjacent to the profile that you wish to be used. For example, at the end of a line, or at the center of an arc or circle.
This tool is handy if you have a single profile that you want to sweep over multiple paths, or rails. In this example, there are three paths for the same profile:
Here are the results:
If you used a Compound profile for the profile, you will be able to modify the resulting 3D object by modifying the original profile object, or by moving the base point object. If you used a Compound profile for the path, you will be able to modify the resulting 3D object by modifying the original path object/s.
The sweep path does not have to be 2D. The path in this example was created using 3D Spline by Fit Points.
This is the result:
Local menu option
Rigid Sweep: Keeps cross-sections of the solid parallel to one another along the entire path.
You can also use a compound profile as a path