Passes through a series of cross sections to create 3D solids or surfaces.
Icon:
Method
Select the cross sections in lofting order. The shape of the resulting 3D solid or surface is defined by the cross sections.
Note: You have to specify at least two cross sections
Options within the command
Mode
Determines if the resulting loft is a solid or a surface.
Solid
Creates lofts as solid.
Note: Only for Solid mode, when the CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable is ON, sketch-based loft features are created in a dedicated BC_SKETCHES layer, which is not visible by default. The sketches (sketches, guide curves, and paths) are visible and editable as block references in the Mechanical Browser panel. Also, the loft features properties are present in the Mechanical Browser panel.
Note: The CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable can also be controlled by pressing the CreateSketchFeature toggle button in the ribbon.
Surface
Creates lofts as surfaces.
Create
Creates a loft entity. This is the default option.
Subtract
Subtracts the loft entity from the solids or surfaces that intersect with it.
Unite
Unites the loft entity with the solids or surfaces that intersect with it.
Note: The Subtract and Unite options are available:
Only for solid loft entities.
Only when CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable is OFF.
Note: If the Hotkey Assistant (HKA) is ON, the Hotkey Assistant widget displays, indicating whether the command is in the Create, Subtract, or Unite mode. Repeatedly press the Ctrl key during the dynamic display of the loft to cycle the various options.
Guides
Uses both cross-sections and guide curves between the selected cross sections to create the loft.
Note: When DELOBJ system variable is set to 2, the selected guide entities are deleted.
Note: Invalid guide curves are ignored. If guide curves become invalid after editing, the geometry will be restored to its original state.
Path
Specifies the path curve.
Cross sections only
Uses only cross section entities to create the loft, and no guides.
Settings
Sets variables that affect how the loft is constructed.
Ruled
Draws straight surfaces between the cross sections, features sharp edges at each cross-section.
Note: When the Ruled property is ON, the Normal type property becomes read-only.
Smooth fit
Draws smooth surfaces between the cross sections.
Normal to
Draws surfaces normal to the chosen cross sections. Select one of the options to become one of the following results:
Start
Both
End
All
Note: LOFT entities created along a guide or path while the CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable is ON have the Normal type property from the Mechanical Browser panel read-only.
Draft angles
Specifies the angles at the starting and ending cross-sections to modify the loft shape.
Note: The angle option specifies the angle at which the loft starts from a cross section. The magnitude option sets the relative distance of the surface from the cross section in the direction of the draft angle before surface starts to bend towards next section.
in the ribbon.
