SWEEP command

Creates 3D solids or surfaces by sweeping profiles along a path.

BricsCAD Shape; BricsCAD Pro; BricsCAD Mechanical; BricsCAD BIM

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Description

Creates 3D solids or surfaces by sweeping profiles (open or closed 2D entities or 3D subentities) along an open or closed path.

Entities accepted as profile entities: 2D splines, 3D splines, 2D polylines, 2D solids, 3D solid faces, 3D solid edges, arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines, regions, surface and mesh edges, traces.

Entities accepted as a path entity: 2D splines, 3D splines, 2D polylines, 3D polylines, edges of 3D solids, surfaces or meshes, helices, arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines.

Note: Depending on the value of the DELOBJ system variable, the defining entities are either retained or deleted.
Note: When the CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable is ON, sketch-based sweep features are created in a dedicated BC_SKETCHES layer, which is not visible by default. The sketches (sketches and paths) are visible and editable as block references in the Mechanical Browser panel.
Note: If the edited sketch becomes an invalid geometry, the settings revert to the original state.
Note: The CREATESKETCHFEATURE system variable can also be controlled by pressing the CreateSketchFeature toggle button in the ribbon.

Method

There are two methods to sweep entities:

  • Create 3D solids
  • Create surfaces

Options within the command

Select profile entities
Allows you to select the profile entities.
Note: Press ENTER after selecting the profile.
Select sweep path
Allows you to select an entity to define the path.
Alignment

Determines the angle at which the profile 2D entities are swept along the paths.

Yes
Aligns the sweep entity perpendicularly to the sweep path entity.
No
The sweep entity maintains its original orientation and is therefore not rotated along the path.
Base point
Defines the point on the sweep entity that follows the path. This option allows offset sweep paths.
Twist

Specifies a twist angle for the swept entity. The twist angle is the amount of rotation along the entire length of the sweep path.

allow Banking for a non-planar path
Determines whether the swept entities will rotate naturally along a 3D sweep path, such as those made from a 3D polyline, spline, or helix.
Profile orientation
Sets the profile orientation for sweep.
Follow
Creates a sweep that follows the path.
Constant
Creates a sweep that keeps profile normal constant.
Create
Creates a sweep entity. This is the default option.
Subtract
Subtracts the sweep entity from the solids or surfaces that intersect with it.
Unite
Unites the sweep entity with the solids or surfaces that intersect with it.
Note: The Subtract and Unite options are available only for solid sweep entities.
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 sweep to cycle the various options.
  • The Boolean operations work both in interactive and non-interactive mode, but in interactive mode, they only perform after you finish the interactive sweep.
MOde

Sets the 3D entity type this command will create.

SOlid
Creates 3D solids.
Note: Solid mode is the default one, unless an open contour entity is selected first.
SUrface
Creates surfaces.
Note: Open entities always construct 3D surfaces.
Note: It is not allowed to use a combination of different profiles to create a solid and a surface in one sweep entity. If you select a closed contour profile first, any opened contour profiles will be removed from the selection.
Interactive

Allows to dynamically sweep profiles along a sequence of interconnected linear entities or along a portion of a path.

Transform profile
Use the Manipulator to move, rotate, mirror or scale the profile.
Accept
Accepts the current position of the profile.
Move cursor along selected edge
The profile is swept dynamically along the path or path segment.
Select adjacent edge
Click when the next segment highlights to continue.
Undo
Removes the last segment.
Circle
Creates a sweep entity by selecting a path using a circle profile without a sketch.
Note: The circle plane is normal to the path.
Radius of circle
Defines the radius of the circle profile entity.
Back
Goes back to the previous Command line prompt.