Profile Sweep
Follow a path with your own profile.
Create pipes, rails and shaped edges by sweeping a cross-section along a path. Refine the section and vary its size before turning the preview into a scene object or cutter.
Try it in HardCuts
- Polyline & Curve
- Editable cross-section
- Local tapering
- Add or boolean
Lay out the path
Choose Profile in Shapes and click to place path points. Use the mouse wheel while drawing to scale the profile, then Ctrl+Click to finish. A new Profile starts with a circular cross-section and a Polyline path. Open Q and choose Curve for a smooth path through the points.
Control bends, taper and cross-section
Add, move or remove path points to refine the route. Orange handles or Alt + mouse wheel scale the profile at a point to create tapered sections. Open Profile in the Actions Panel to edit the cross-section, using presets, smooth or sharp points and the available interpolation modes.
Apply the profile
Choose Add to create a scene object, or choose a supported boolean operation. Use Enter to apply or Ctrl+Click a target object. Inspect tight bends and the transition between different local scales before committing the result.
Good to know
How is Profile different from Lathe?
Profile sweeps a section along a path. Lathe revolves a profile around an axis. Use Profile for routed forms such as pipes and rails, and Lathe for rotational forms.