topic Re: Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file in Inventor Forum

Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file

npokhrelYK39M — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:53:18 GMT

It doesnt let me select the axis for this imported model (from STEP file). Im trying to create a simple revolve cut on the side surface. Im able to select the z axis from the origin but the revolved cut comes out eccentric or weird. Not even a manually created axis can be selected.

@npokhrelYK39M Your post title has been modified to increase findability - CGBenner

Re: cant select an axis for revolve

kacper.suchomski — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:40:53 GMT

You didn't attach your sketch file, so we can't check the cause of the problem.

Re: cant select an axis for revolve

andrewiv — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:45:34 GMT

What if you create a center line on your sketch going through the center of the part. It should automatically select that as your axis when creating the revolve.

Re: cant select an axis for revolve

andrewiv — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:48:43 GMT

If you still want to use a work axis then make sure that the axis shows up before your sketch in the model tree.

Re: Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file

CGBenner — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:54:22 GMT

@npokhrelYK39M

Hi, can you tell us what version of Inventor this is, and would you be able to share the part file with the revolve sketch in it so the experts here can take a look?

Re: Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file

johnsonshiue — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:37:07 GMT

Hi! I would try right-clicking on the base feature -> Repair Environments. Unstitch the whole solid. Stitch the surfaces back to a solid body in 0.00001mm gap tolerance. After that, does Revolve work better? If no, please share the ipt file here.

Many thanks!

Re: Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file

SBix26 — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:30:22 GMT

No problem here creating a sketch and revolve (Inventor 2026.1). I placed a new sketch on the XZ plane, projected the Z-axis, and voilà:

As others have pointed out, a Revolve feature uses a sketch line as its revolve axis, not a defined axis outside the sketch. Perhaps you're confusing this operation with circular patterns, either feature or component; in those cases you do need to select an axis existing in the part somehow.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2026.1 | Windows 11 Home 24H2

Re: Inventor cant select an axis for revolve - Imported STEP file

CGBenner — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:11:43 GMT

@npokhrelYK39M

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