Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Greetings and a happy new years to all you good folks.

I am using surfaces for the first time and have hit a snag. But first:

I have lofted 3 sketches using guide rails, each of the 3 rails consists of 2 or more arcs. The only way I can use them is to project points onto a new sketch and create a spline. Is this correct?

My plan is to sweep the handle from its farthest point right through the scoop, and then use the surface as a split tool. It worked for "spoon 2013" but when I try to thicken/offset the scoop I get the front edge trying to thicken in the wrong direction. I then noticed an unconstrained sketch, So I back tracked "spoon 2013 II", re-drew the broken sketch, but to no avail!

Any help or advice on a better way to approach this form will be much appreciated

- Inventor Pro 2013

[#2]

I would not try to model the scoop to it's finished size in one Loft.

Model the surface oversize and then trim back to desired finish size.

[#3]

Ah-ha, so just like in "real life" then.

I'll extend my perimeters and guide rails and take it from there.

Thank-you JD

[#4]

In my ever-continuing learning process I now see that I can use "bridge curve" as an alternative to creating a spline to define a guide rail.